Compost bedded-pack barn as an alternative housing system for dairy cattle in Italy: effects on animal health and welfare and milk and milk product quality

We evaluated the effects of a compost bedded-pack barn as an alternative housing system for dairy cattle in Italy. Twenty-two Fleckvieh dairy cows were randomly allocated to two housing systems: (1) a conventional freestall barn (FB) and (2) a compost bedded-pack barn (CB). Clinical data and behavioural measurements were collected. Milk quality parameters and cheese characteristics were also evaluated. Scores for hind limb cleanliness and locomotion were better in the CB-housed than in the FB-housed cows (p < .01). The incidence of standing was higher (p < .01), while that of lying in head-up position and the expression of agonistic interaction were lower (p < .001) in the CB-housed animals. An avoidance distance of 50 cm was more frequent, whereas a distance of more than 100 cm was less frequent among the CB-housed animals (p < .001). Milk fat content was greater and somatic cell count was lower, as were total bacterial count (TBC) and coliforms in cheese made from milk from the CB-housed cows (p < .05). Descriptive comparisons between CB and FB bedding materials revealed promising results for salinity, fulvic + humic acid content, ammonia concentration, and TBC, but also issues related to bacterial levels, temperature, and nutrient composition of CB bedding material. Our results suggest that cow health and welfare, as well as milk and milk product quality, may benefit from CB housing, supporting its potential as a promising alternative loose-housing system for dairy cattle in Italy.