The Advantages of Sand Bedding in Cow Barns: Comfort, Health, and Efficiency

In the dairy farming world, the well-being of cows is paramount to maintaining high milk production and overall farm profitability. Among the crucial factors influencing cow welfare is the type of bedding used in barns. While traditional materials like woodchip, straw and sawdust have been mainstays, sand bedding has gained significant traction in recent years due to its numerous benefits. Let's explore why sand bedding is increasingly favored by dairy farmers worldwide.

Once a system is selected, practical experience demonstrates that users tend to justify their choice from their own perspective, often hindering the flow of objective data. However, at Aztech, we find our clients are always willing to openly share both the pros and cons of their chosen systems.

Innovator Tony Allcock Trials Sand Bedding for his lose-housed cow barn

Tony's original Aztech barn wasn't initially designed for composting due to its low roof pitch. For many years, he used a sawdust and woodchip base. Recently, Tony decided to switch to a sand base. Here's what Tony had to say about his experience with sand bedding. He brought in wet sand from the farm and plans to evaluate its performance over the winter. Stay tuned for updates on Tony's journey with sand bedding!

Can I switch my woodchip or sawdust Composting Barn bedding to sand?

Yes, it's possible and has been done before. Your barn configuration can remain unchanged. However, there are some factors to consider, especially regarding the management of cow manure since sand doesn't compost. There might be a need to line the underside of the bedding to capture any leaching. For more detailed guidance, it's advisable to discuss with the Aztech team to find the people you can talk to with the best advice to provide further insights and recommendations tailored to your specific needs.

How to manage effluent with sand based bedding in lose-housed cow barns? Ignore it? Remove the manure? Wash the sand? 

Maintaining a clean environment is essential for preventing disease and maintaining cow health. Sand's non-absorbent nature means that urine passes through the bedding, leaving the surface dry and reducing bacterial growth. Daily maintenance, such as stirring to aerate the sand and remove manure, ensures a consistently clean and hygienic bedding surface. This not only enhances cow comfort but also makes daily management more efficient for farm staff.

To maximise cow comfort and consequently milk production, the goal is to have dry sand. Therefore for the ultimate results, cow manure is removed from the sand bedding and this can be done with machines designed to scoop up the top layer, break-up cow patties, and sift the sand bedding back onto the ground, while collecting the patties in the machine's bin. They're a similar idea to a potato harvester as per the photo below. 

Some Farmers will ignore the manure which can result in the requirement to replace the sand earlier or need to wash the sand at a later date. 

If you chose to clean your sand by washing, this is an expensive process to setup. Sand-laden manure handling presents a unique challenge in dairy cow bedding, but it can be managed effectively with the right approach. Choosing equipment designed to withstand sand's abrasiveness is crucial. Additionally, managing settled sand and the drying process of the sand is essential. 

Ideally, it's best to minimize the need for washing sand, as it can be a costly setup process. Instead, consider removing the effluent when it's dry with a machine as noted above.

Comfort and Health Benefits; E. Coli, Somatic Cell Count (SCC ), Environmental streptococci, Mastitis

Cows, like humans, benefit greatly from comfortable resting conditions. Sand bedding provides a soft, supportive surface that molds to the cow's body, ensuring consistent comfort throughout the day and night. Unlike woodchip, straw or sawdust, which can compress over time, sand maintains its structure, offering stable support and reducing the risk of injuries such as hock lesions. This comfort isn't just about luxury—it directly influences cow health and productivity.

The temperature of sand bedding is a lot colder than composting woodchip or sawdust which can have positive cow-comfort benefits in the warmer summer months.  

Furthermore, the smooth texture of sand reduces friction and skin abrasions, which helps prevent conditions like mastitis. Sand also reduces opportunities for bacterial growth compared to woodchip. This is critical for maintaining udder health and ensuring high milk quality and managing SCC (Somatic Cell Count), ultimately benefiting both the cows and the dairy operation's bottom line.

For Freestall barn applications, According to Jack Rodenburg, sand bedding users report a reduced occurrence of clinical mastitis caused by environmental organisms such as E. coli and environmental streptococci. This reduction is attributed to the absence of organic bedding, which minimizes opportunities for bacterial growth. However, a survey conducted in Wisconsin found no difference in average somatic cell count (SCC) between herds using sand and those using mattresses.

Do woodchip or sawdust Composting Barns cause more E. coli and/or higher Somatic Cell Count (SCC) compared to sand bedding?

A composting system generally operates around 50 degrees Celsius and relies on heat to destroy pathogenic bugs. According to Dr. Sue Macky, a properly run composting barn has no more E. coli in the barn than in the paddock - however, if you let things go wrong you can multiply bugs really quick. Therefore the management of the composting process is key. Whereas sand reduces opportunities for bacterial growth in the first place.

Longevity and Cost Efficiency

While the initial investment in sand bedding may be higher than traditional options, its durability and efficiency over time make it a cost-effective choice. Unlike organic materials that degrade and require frequent replacement, sand retains its quality without breaking down. This reduces material costs and labor associated with bedding management, providing long-term savings and operational efficiency benefits. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the adoption of sand bedding in cow barns represents a proactive step towards enhancing cow welfare, improving farm efficiency, and promoting sustainability in dairy farming. Its benefits—comfort, hygiene, cost-efficiency, and environmental sustainability—make it a compelling option for dairy farmers seeking to optimize their operations and ensure the health and productivity of their herds.

Tony Allcock's sand bedding trial will be a great benchmark for other dairy farms wanting to use sand in the future. 

As the dairy industry continues to evolve, embracing innovations like sand bedding underscores a commitment to meeting high standards of animal care and operational excellence. For dairy farmers considering a bedding upgrade, the investment in sand bedding not only enhances cow welfare but also strengthens the farm's resilience and profitability in the long term.