Distribution of enterobacteriaceae in recycled manure bedding on California dairies

The distribution of coliform organisms on three California dairies which use a system of automatic flushing of alley ways and composted, recycled manure solids as free stall bedding for utilization of waste was studied. There was a wide distribution of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, and Enterobacter and to less extent Citrobacter organisms. Klebsiella were not commonly in bovine feces. Composting manure solids effectively reduced coliform counts to few or to zero. However, if given proper conditions of moisture and temperature, coliforms could multiply to large numbers again in composted solids whether from survivors or from external contamination. Dried composted manure was satisfactory material for bedding of free stalls provided it was dried properly before application.