As herd sizes grow, dairies’ systems are put to the test, often revealing where adjustments can unlock greater efficiency and consistency. More cows mean more manure, more bedding and more volume moving through systems that may not have been designed for that load.

For nearly 18 months, Alberto Dairy has used worm beds to appropriately manage their manure, retain nutrients and reuse wastewater.

While most of us focus on how to move manure, store it and land-apply it, there's a growing interest in what else manure can do for the dairy. One of the more intriguing ideas? Turning it into bedding.

Choosing the right bedding is essential for cow comfort, herd health and overall dairy performance. Sand is a popular choice thanks to its comfort, cleanliness and long-term affordability – especially when paired with an effective recovery and recycling program.

Whether or not a dairy is using sand bedding, nuisance sand can infiltrate manure systems through feed, equipment and environmental exposure, creating hidden operational headaches. While removing 100% of sand from manure is not realistic, proactive manure management strategies can significantly reduce its impact, helping to preserve both the longevity of your equipment, your manure system’s performance and the quality of your bedding.

While investing in an anaerobic digester can have many advantages, dairy farmers have much to consider as they embark on these projects. Use the following tips to help ensure your anaerobic digester journey is successful.

Explore three trends in manure management and their potential to impact operational efficiency.

The benefits of sand bedding for dairy cows are many. However, sand is not always the easiest material to incorporate into manure management systems.

Sand is the gold standard for dairy cow bedding, but all that glitters is not gold.