Improve cow health: biological bedding conditioner helps reduce environmental mastitis risk

On-farm trial results have shown that using a biological bedding conditioner can help maintain udder health and cow comfort, while reducing ammonia emissions within cattle housing by 50%¹.  

Using a biological bedding conditioner within cow housing offers a host of benefits, with a recently published commercial trial showing a reduced risk of both environmental mastitis and high somatic cell counts (SCC). 

Lientjie Colahan, environmental product manager at Lallemand Animal Nutrition, explains: 

“The trial was performed on a commercial dairy farm in the Czech Republic, using EazyBed PRO, our microbial solution that works by encouraging the growth of positive microorganisms in the bedding.” 

Prevent environmental mastitis and lower somatic cell counts 

Lientjie explains the trial delivered impressive results for the 228 dairy-cow herd that traditionally suffered with environmental mastitis¹. 

“In areas where the biological bedding conditioner was used, the trial results showed there was no summertime spike in somatic cell count (SCC) that the farm was accustomed to.  

“The cows in treated cubicles were 5 times less likely to have a SCC over 250,000 compared to cows in the untreated cubicles.” 

Watch more – What is EazyBed PRO and how can it benefit your farm?  

Cow comfort – an alternative bedding option to lime 

The trial also showed that the bedding conditioner was less abrasive than traditional lime-based disinfectants, Lientjie says. 

“As a biological bedding conditioner, EazyBed PRO is much kinder; the trial found it to be anti-caking and non-irritating to the cow’s skin, hocks, and teats. 

“This is also a big advantage for those handling the product, with users finding it much less harsh to apply than the alternatives available. 

“The mineral and vegetal carriers within the conditioner have been selected for their superior moisture absorption properties as well as their physical properties, to enable easy handling and homogenous spreading on any type of bedding.” 

Reduce ammonia emissions 

Lientjie explains a second commercial trial showed that using EazyBed PRO can also help deliver an impressive reduction in ammonia emissions.  

“The mix of bacteria, enzymes and highly absorbent carrier absorbs excess moisture in bedding and helps maintain a positive microbial balance in bedding.  

“This results in reduced ammonia emissions which improved air quality.” 

The trial showed that the bedding conditioner reduced NH₃ emissions by up to 50%², Lientjie adds: 

“The air quality in the shed was maintained as a result, with the reduction in smell particularly noticeable.” 

Labour saving 

EazyBed PRO only needs to be applied once or twice a week. Lientjie explains it can be spread using the same type of applicator as lime, providing it is cleaned first.   

“Because it doesn’t need to be applied as frequently as lime, for example, farmers have found EazyBed PRO saves them time and money without compromising cow health.  

“For producers wanting to improve bedding quality and cow comfort, introducing a biological bedding conditioner is a good option.” 

Learn how EazyBed PRO has helped Somerset farmer Peter Cheek to reduce SCC in his 300-cow dairy herd at Godminster Farm.