Why We Use Sand Bedding for our Dairy Cows
Those stalls in our dairy barn? They’re our cows’ beds: soft, sandy beds. Not prison cells, as some have suggested after viewing a recent video showing our cows resting in their stalls.
Above: A view of our open air free-stall barn, with the milking robot (VMS, or Voluntary Milking System) in the middle.
It's like lying on a beach
Cows spend a lot of their day resting, typically 10–14 hours, and much of that time is spent lying down. So where they rest matters.
Like many dairy farms, we use sand bedding because it provides a comfortable, clean and practical place for our cows to relax. Here are a few key points which make sand a solid choice for bedding:
1. It’s safe. Sand provides good traction, helping cows get up and lie down without slipping.
2. It’s comfortable. Think of lying on a sandy beach. Dry sand is soft and naturally conforms to the body, helping cushion pressure points while a cow rests.
3. It drains well. Cows aren’t particularly concerned about keeping their beds clean. Since they can “go” wherever they happen to be, bedding that doesn’t hold onto moisture is important for keeping their resting area dry.
4. It’s hygienic. Sand creates an environment that is naturally low in bacteria compared with other bedding materials, which can help reduce exposure to bacteria associated with infections such as mastitis.
And it doesn’t just sit there indefinitely. Sand is replaced regularly to maintain a clean, dry and comfortable resting space.
More than meets the eye
A dairy barn might not look like much from the outside, but a lot of thought goes into making sure the cows have a safe and comfortable place to eat, move, rest, and, yes, sleep.
Above: A typical free-stall barn layout like ours, where cows are untethered and free to wander.
