What are my bedding options with straw in short supply?

In most years the most readily available alternative options are corn stover and soybean stubble which are addressed in this article: https://dairy.osu.edu/newsletter/buckeye-dairy-news/volume-21-issue-3/what-are-your-bedding-options-100ton-straw-option. The challenge mostly will be getting these alternatives dry if you harvest is pushed into late November or December. There are alternatives, most organic materials can be used for bedding, including kiln-dried sawdust, shavings, shredded/chopped paper, barley and oats straw, over mature hay or low quality hay made from waterways and buffer strips if not in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Some other options may be dried manure solids, dried peat, byproducts from paper product manufacturing. When considering alternative beddings the first consideration is, initial moisture then water hold capacity. For lactating animals, the ability of bacteria to grow is also very important. This is a year for thinking outside the box, if you have alternative bedding sources let your neighbors and us know.

Updated: 7/5/2019

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