MICROBIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF RECYCLED MANURE USED IN DAIRY COWS BEDDING – REVIEW

Abstract

The economic and social value of cattle, especially dairy cows, is continuously increasing and is defined by the number of lactations during the production period or the milk yield of the individual itself. A significant influence on dairy production of dairy cows has housing comfort and therefore maintaining the quality parameters of the dairy farm is essential. The decreasing availability and increasing costs of traditional underlining materials have increased interest in finding and using alternative materials for underlaying. In this review, we focus on the separated fraction of livestock manure, which, after hygienization, can be a suitable bedding material for dairy cows. We identify possible negative impacts and risks in the context of human or animal health. This article also identifies pathogenic microorganisms that can initiate inflammation of the mammary glands in dairy cows and thus reduce the quality of final food products. Farmers using recycled livestock manure as bedding, reduce the total amount of nutrients which become part of the manure stream due to no net addition of nutrients in the form of bedding, thus increasing potential compliance with environmental regulations.