by Dr. James I. Sprague
Bedding feedlot pens
Modern hay processors have made the bedding of pens feasible, according
to John Thornton, consulting nutritionist at Garden City, Kansas.
One of his clients who beds pens is Raymond Morris, manager of James
Becker’s cattle operation north of Garden City, Kansas. They
use low mounds about three feet deep and then place straw from a hay
processor on top of the mounds.
Morris explained, “I consider bedding our pens a necessary evil,
but it helps a lot during a wet time to keep cattle comfortable. For
new cattle, they sometime eat the bedding rather than the starting
ration, but we feel the overall comfort of the cattle is important.”
Morris uses both straw and corn stalks. He explained that they try
to harvest quality bedding material and use a bio-degradable wrap
for a tight bale.
Morris uses bedding after storms when his pens are muddy. “We
wait to the end of a storm, remove some of the snow or wait for the
rain to stop, and then place a liberal amount of bedding on the top
of the pen mounds. We use a hay processor that can be pulled into
the pens and we spread one sweep and then return the opposite direction
for a second pass. This spreads the bedding uniformly, and much less
is used when compared to putting a large bale in a pen. Our system
of spreading the bedding also makes it easier for manure removal in
the spring.” He explained, “If it rains again or the bedding
becomes very wet, we may remove the old bedding on top of the mounds
and replace with new. For extremely wet conditions, we will use corn
stalks rather than straw.”
Hospital and recovery pens
Dr. Thornton suggests using a round feeder of hay in the hospital
and recovery pens. He notes there usually is some waste hay around
the feeders that works as bedding, plus the round feeders provides
a windbreak for the cattle.
New research confirms value of bedding
Research published in a 2004 report from the Carrington Station of
North Dakota State University evaluated bedding of livestock during
the winters of 2002 and 2003. They compared generous bedding, modest
amounts, versus no betting. Gain and feed conversion were improved
dramatically with the use of bedding. The results were improved performance;
3.69, 3.53, and 2.83 pounds per day gain. Bedding the livestock also
improved feed conversion; 6.21, 5.81, and 7.63 pounds of feed per
pound of gain for generous, modest or no bedding at all.
Additional benefits were less manure and mud balls hanging on the
hide at harvest time. The value of the manure with the straw and higher
ammonia nitrogen are additional benefits of bedding cattle.
Straw, corn, milo stover, hay, sawdust
Pine sawdust was used during the 1960s in Dr. John Matushima’s
research pens at Colorado State University. However, most bedding
is either straw, harvested corn stalks, or milo stover. Low quality
grass hay is also a possibility. Many low quality roughages would
work, such as gin trash, corn cobs, and rice hulls.
Barns keep the bedding dry
It is generally accepted that barns for livestock are needed only
to keep the bedding dry, rather than keep the cattle warm. Yet, barns
and shelters not only provide a dry shelter, but protect the livestock
from wind chill. The protection from cold weather and damp conditions
are not only important for the livestock but also to the animal handlers
in the hospital and working areas. ©
