What does this research mean for the field?

Bedding selection on UK dairy farms is primarily constrained by existing manure management infrastructure and operational compatibility rather than clinical evidence of material performance. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This research investigates how infrastructure influences bedding choices on dairy farms in the UK and its implications for cow welfare and farm productivity.

July 15, 2026Journal of Dairy Research0 citationsOpen Access

Management of dairy cow resting areas in the United Kingdom: a survey of infrastructure, bedding selection and socio-technical constraints

JNJoseph NearyUniversity of Liverpool NSNektarios SiachosUniversity of Liverpool MAMustafa AliUniversity of Liverpool

Key Points

This research investigates how infrastructure influences bedding choices on dairy farms in the UK and its implications for cow welfare and farm productivity.
Comprehensive online survey conducted among 228 dairy farms in the UK.
Data collection focused on barn design, flooring, manure transport, and bedding materials management.
Evaluation of bedding types in relation to housing systems and operational constraints.
Cubicle housing was prevalent, with 77% using hybrid systems of synthetic mattresses and loose bedding.
Sawdust was the most common bedding material (56%), followed by sand (20%) and straw (15%).
70% of farms prioritized operational compatibility over sustainably sourced bedding, revealing a gap between clinical benefits and practical use.

Abstract

This study addresses the hypothesis that bedding selection on UK dairy farms is captive to existing manure management infrastructure rather than being driven primarily by clinical evidence of material performance. The management of dairy cow resting areas is a critical determinant of animal welfare and farm productivity. While academic research often focuses on the biological properties of bedding materials in isolation, commercial selection is frequently constrained by fixed infrastructure and logistical realities. A comprehensive online survey was conducted among 228 dairy farms across the UK (median herd size: 194 lactating cows) to evaluate the interplay between housing infrastructure, bedding selection and manure management. Data were collected on barn design, flooring, manure transport mechanisms and the economic and operational management of primary bedding materials. Cubicle (freestall) housing was near-universal (97%), with 77% of farms using hybrid systems consisting of a synthetic mattress topped with a loose bedding layer. Sawdust was the predominant material (56%), followed by sand (20%) and straw (15%). Although sand was recognised for its clinical benefits, 11% of current sand users expressed an intention to transition away from the material, citing mechanical wear on machinery and slurry sedimentation as primary drivers. Straw use exhibited a distinct bimodal distribution, with application rates nearly 10 times higher in loose-housed yards (12-14 kg/cow/d) than in cubicle systems (1.6 kg/cow/d). Notably, 70% of respondents were unwilling to pay a financial premium for sustainably sourced bedding, prioritising operational compatibility and animal hygiene over environmental labels. These results demonstrate that bedding choice in the UK is constrained by existing manure management infrastructure. Future research and policy must bridge the gap between clinical excellence and mechanical viability, focusing on engineering solutions that allow farms to use high-comfort materials without compromising logistical efficiency.

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