Title: Effect of two different bedding systems on udder health management of dairy cows

Authors: DNN Madushanka, HMS Padmakumara, GDN Kumarasinghe, MPK Sanjeewa and MPS Magamage

Source: Ruminant Science (2017)-6(1):1-6.

Cite this reference as: Madushanka DNN, Padmakumara HMS, Kumarasinghe GDN, Sanjeewa MPK and Magamage MPS (2017). Effect of two different bedding systems on udder health management of dairy cows. Ruminant Science 6(1):1-6.

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of two different bedding systems on udder health status of intensively managed dairy cows in Sri Lanka. Twelve (n=12) lactating cows of same breed and almost similar age and parity were selected for the study. Selected animals have neither shown any sign of mastitis nor treated with any sort of antibiotics in the past. Experimental animals were separated into two sheds where both groups have been given rubber carpets. One group was provided with dried sawdust as the bedding material while, the other group was not provided with any type of bedding material. Teat swabs and foremilk samples were collected once a week up to five weeks for microbiological evaluation. There has been a significant (P<0.001) difference in Coliform counts in sawdust system (567.54±5.06 colony forming units (CFU)/ml) as compared with carpeted system (2523.5±3.16 CFU/ml). Total Bacterial Count (TBC) was significantly (P<0.001) different in sawdust system (16865.5±2.40CFU/ml) than the carpeted system (39627.9±2.8380CFU/ml). TBC levels of fore-milk were not significant in both groups. TBC values were 58344.5±3.32CFU/ml for sawdust and 85506.6±2.80CFU/ml for carpet system, respectively. In conclusion, dry sawdust bedding surface was helpful in least exposure of dairy cows to microbial contaminations as compared to no bedding material system.

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