J. S. Hogan1 and K. L. Smith
The Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences
Bacteria counts associated with untreated organic bedding materials were compared with those of bedding treated with either an alkaline commercial bedding conditioner, acidic commercial bedding conditioner, or hydrated lime. Bedding materials were recycled manure and kiln-dried sawdust. The effects of bedding treatments on bacteria counts differed between bedding types. Each of the bedding treatments significantly reduced bacteria counts in recycled manure prior to use. The alkaline conditioner and hydrated lime effectively inhibited bacteria counts in recycled manure for one day. Bedding counts and teat swabs of cows housed on recycled manure treated with the alkaline conditioner were reduced on day two. The use of the acid conditioner in recycled manure had little effect on bacteria counts in bedding. Sawdust differed from recycled manure in that bacteria counts in untreated sawdust prior to use were minimal, and populations increased rapidly the first two days after use as bedding. The acid conditioner had a bacteriostatic effect in sawdust evident by the reduction of bacteria counts on day two. The alkaline conditioner and hydrated lime did not alter bacteria counts in sawdust compared with untreated sawdust. Antibacterial activity of each conditioner had deteriorated between day two and six in both beddings. The antibacterial activities of conditioners were related to the pH of bedding materials. The use of commercial bedding conditioners initially reduced bacterial counts, but the antibacterial effects had diminished between day two and six after use in bedding.
1 For more information, contact at: The Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, 302 Pounden Hall, 1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster OH 44691, 303-263-3801, Fax 330-263-3949, e-mail: hogan.4@osu.edu