No perfect bedding material has yet been discovered. However, sand is seldom practical because it is extremely difficult to handle in most manure systems. Green, hardwood sawdust has been implicated in increased incidence of mastitis caused by a coliform organism called Klebsielia, and should be avoided as bedding material. Sawdust and shavings from kiln dried lumber present less risk, if kept dry in storage, and in the stalls, but incidence of Klebsiella infection is still higher than with straw. Adding lime to sawdust has not proven to be beneficial in reducing mastitis.
Straw tends to harbour strep.non.ag.
With all bedding materials, replacing wet soiled material daily, is the key to controlling growth of bacteria in the bedding and to reducing new mastitis infections. Rubber mats improve cow comfort but still require bedding to keep stalls dry and improve footing. A new mat designed in Europe, made of canvas material backed with resilient fibres has been shown to provide greater cow comfort than rubber mats. Though costly, these mats may prove more satisfactory than rubber when little or no bedding material is available. However, research studies indicate that low levels of tingle voltage are not a direct cause of high cell counts or mastitis.