Evaluation of Dairy Manure Production in Bedded Pack Barn

This study was conducted to determine the amount of manure production from Holstein dairy cattle raised in bedded pack barn and the appropriate bedding material removal time. Total six heads of dairy cows (about 715 kg weight) were raised in three pens (two heads per pen) for 62 days. Average daily production of manure containing sawdust bedding was 21.2 kg per head and that of manure excluding bedding was 18.7 kg. Moisture content of bedding materials were significantly increased up to 86% of water holding capacity (WHC) of sawdust during the first 30 days. It kept very stable level after 30 to 50 days. Theoretically, 30 days after adding fresh bedding seems to be proper removal time only based on WHC. On the other hand, from a practical perspective, maximum 50 days after adding new bedding would be fine by comprehensively considering various factors such as bedding material purchasing cost, feeding environment and manure treatment.