Learn how biological bedding conditioner helps reduce the risk of environmental mastitis

Join Lallemand Animal Nutrition UK & Ireland at UK Dairy Day to learn how using a bacterial bedding conditioner can help with improving udder health and cow comfort, while reducing ammonia emissions within cattle housing by up to 50%. The microbial experts will also be giving away free pairs of Lallemand cow socks (while stocks last!) at stand F23 in the concourse!

At the upcoming UK Dairy Day event in Telford on 11 September, Lallemand Animal Nutrition UK & Ireland will be highlighting the host of benefits their biological bedding conditioner, EAZYBED PRO, offers for dairy farmers.

Recently published commercial trial results showed that, when using this bedding conditioner in dairy cow housing, there was a reduced risk of both environmental mastitis and high somatic cell counts (SCC).

Jayne Dandy, Lallemand Animal Nutrition’s regional business manager for Cheshire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire and North Wales, explains more.

“The trial was performed on a commercial dairy farm in the Czech Republic, using EazyBed PRO, which is an absorbent powder with a mix of bacteria and enzymes that works by maintaining bedding quality and encouraging the growth of positive microorganisms in the bedding,” she says.

Cows in treated cubicles 5 times less likely to have high SCC

The trial delivered impressive results for the 228 dairy-cow herd that traditionally suffered with high incidences of environmental mastitis[1].

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

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

Easier to handle

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

She says: “As a biological solution, 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.”

Reduced ammonia emissions

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

Mrs Dandy explains: “The blend of positive bacteria and highly absorbent carriers in the bedding conditioner positively impacts the microbial community, which changes the microbial dynamics, resulting in reduced ammonia (NH₃) emissions and improved air quality.

“The trial showed that the biological bedding conditioner reduced NH₃ emissions by up to 50%[2]. The air quality in the shed was maintained as a result, with the reduction of smell particularly noticeable,” she adds.

Labour saving

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

Mrs Dandy explains: “Because you don’t need to apply it 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, come and find us on stand F23 in the concourse at Dairy Day for more information on how a biological bedding conditioner can benefit your herd.”

Learn why Somerset farmer Peter Cheek and Lincolnshire farmer Zara Dorrington are using EazyBed PRO to benefit their herd.

[1] Commercial trial, Czech Republic 2021. Trial summary available on request.

[2] Commercial trial, Wisconsin USA 2016. Trial summary available on request.