Source: University of Kentucky -- Kentucky Dairy Notes
Maintaining active composting in a compost-bedded pack barn is a real challenge during the winter months. Bed management, weather, stocking rates, barn design and ventilation rate all can have an impact on bed composting and they can easily become too cool, mucky and wet.
To keep cattle comfortable and dry in these situations, sawdust bedding is used in higher amounts, which increases costs. You may also have difficulty locating or purchasing enough bedding to keep the bed dry. Further, attempts to use alternative bedding materials can lead to very poor bed conditions and have a negative impact on somatic cell count and milk production.
For advice on managing compost bedding, visit http://www.uky.edu/Ag/AnimalSciences/dairy/newsletters/2010dec/jb1210.pdf/
