Are Sand or Composted Bedding Cubicles Suitable Alternatives to Rubber Matting for Housing Dairy Cows?

Abstract

PICO question

In [Dairy Cow Management] do [Sand OR composted bedding] compared with [rubber matting] result in [fewer disease incidence] consequences?

Clinical bottom line

Clean, deep-bedded sand appears to be associated with the best outcomes in clinical mastitis, cow cleanliness, subclinical mastitis, cow lying times, hock lesions and cow preference. Recycled sand, composted manure and other deep-bedded systems also appear to have increased cow comfort and hygiene indices versus mattress systems. Deep-bedded, composted manure systems can also have better outcomes concerning Gram positive and negative bacterial growth versus straw and mattress systems as long as they are kept clean and renewed frequently.