Breaking it down - We start a compost bedding pack

Due to our harsh winter, we used WAYYYY more straw than anticipated and we have almost run out. With the drought there is really no straw out there to be bought (at least not the round bales that we need). We've been tossing around the idea of doing a compost pack in summer but were nervous about high cell counts in the high heat. Well, the situation being what it is has given us the push to take the plunge. See how it works out.
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[@BRPFan]

I can see where your cows would love that bedding! Very neat, never seen that before! 7810 Deere is a very nice tractor! Looks like you found a nice one! Great video, thanks!

[@tonymckeage1028]

Interesting I have had a little bit of involvement with compost barns mainly V barns under a PVC roof it seems to be part of the solution, thanks for sharing

[@investingperson1372]

Great video and glad to have you back making more. What was the reason for the change?

[@thebigsmallfarmer1670]

We are extremely low on straw because of the harsh winter. And with the drought last year, no one has rounds available so more of a necessity move.

[@melanieharrison7465]

Great to see you back.wondering how the cows will like laying on warm bedding on hot days?

[@thebigsmallfarmer1670]

We shall see! It hasn't been too terribly hot yet but we are getting some higher temps this weekend and into next week.

[@arnaudvanherk9729]

How is your cell count and udder health doing? Greetings from a dutchman farming in East Germany

[@thebigsmallfarmer1670]

So far we haven't treat a single case of clinical mastitis since starting the compost pack. Cell count is averaging 115,000

[@Andaman1979999]

I really like that barn setup. I would love to do something like that for my beefers. What is the dimensions of that side of the barn?

[@thebigsmallfarmer1670]

The bedding area is 35ft x165ft, the alley where they stand to eat is 15 x165. That allows roughly 120ft2 per cow

[@rancher4911]

How are u finding it for mastitis compared to straw bedding

[@thebigsmallfarmer1670]

It's been a big improvement so far. This time last year we were treating several cows each month for clinical mastitis. Since we started the compost pack almost 2 months ago I've only treated 1 cow and our SCC is 50,000 lower