Composting Bedded Pack Dairy Barns

Purpose

Most dairy operations use liquid manure systems, however, if you are a dairy farmer who is investigating alternative manure management systems, bedded pack may be an option for you. For dairy farms to remain sustainable and economically viable, production systems that improve the cow health, minimize manure handling costs, and reduce potential environmental impacts are needed. The compost bedded pack dairy barn is an alternative dairy system with solid manure handling options. Its potential for positive impacts on milk production and cow health, as well as the ability to handle manure as a dry material, have resulted in increased interest in the system.

The Ohio State University and the University of Kentucky have conducted preliminary research to analyze design and management recommendations; document current practices; and evaluate milk production, animal health, indoor air quality, and manure handling of the bedded pack dairy system. This multi-state workshop educational program has been developed for dairy producers, professional consultants, and NRCS engineers to learn about design considerations, best management practices, production effectiveness, and impacts on animal health for dairy bedded pack systems. The workshop will help dairy producers make knowledge based decisions in considering adoption of the compost bedded pack system for profitable and sustainable dairy operations.    

Presentations

1. Manure management challenges of liquid systems and an overview of the compost bedded pack system (Dr. Joseph Taraba, University of Kentucky)
Speaker Bio | Recorded Presentation | PPT Slides
                       
2. Cow-focused management, performance, and milk quality considerations (Dr. Jeffery Bewley, University of Kentucky)
Speaker Bio | Recorded Presentation | PPT Slides | Barn Design
                    
3. Cow behavior and health in compost dairy barns (Dr. Peter Krawczel, University of Tennessee)
Speaker Bio | Recorded Presentation | PPT Slides

4. Economics of traditional and compost dairy systems (Amanda Douridas, The Ohio State University)
Speaker Bio | Recorded Presentation | PPT Slides
                        
5. Compost bedded pack management (Dr. Harold Keener, The Ohio State University)
Speaker Bio | Recorded Presentation | PPT Slides
                       
6. Quality of compost and bedding issues (Dr. Joseph Taraba, University of Kentucky)
Speaker Bio | Recorded Presentation | PPT Slides
                       
7. Structure and ventilation of compost barns (Dr. Michael Brugger, North Point Engineering)
Recorded Presentation | PPT Slides

8. Indoor air quality of compost barns (Dr. Lingying Zhao, The Ohio State University)
Speaker Bio | Recorded Presentation | PPT Slides | Free Stall Air Quality

9. NRCS standards and cost share programs (Michael Monnin, USDA-NRCS)
Speaker Bio | Waste Storage | Roofs and Covers | OSU Study

 Virtual Farm Tour

 

 

Program Questions

For questions on this program, please contact Dr. Lingying Zhao at zhao.119@osu.edu or 614-292-2366