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Various What Is Recycled Manure Solids Bedding?

By Various

Last reviewed: December 2025

Recycled manure solids (RMS) systems process separated manure fiber into cow bedding, providing a sustainable, cost-effective bedding solution when properly...

Overview

Recycled manure solids (RMS) bedding systems separate and process the fiber portion of manure for reuse as cow bedding, offering a sustainable on-farm bedding solution.

How RMS Systems Work

Separation

Mechanical separators remove fiber from liquid manure:

  • Screw presses
  • Roller presses
  • Screen separators
  • Processing Options

  • Fresh RMS (minimal processing)
  • Composted RMS (heat treatment)
  • Drum composters
  • In-vessel systems
  • Application

    Processed material returned to freestalls as bedding.

    Advantages

    Sustainability

  • On-farm resource utilization
  • Reduced bedding purchases
  • Lower waste disposal needs
  • Environmental benefits
  • Economics

  • Lower ongoing bedding costs
  • Value from waste stream
  • Reduced hauling expenses
  • Availability

  • Continuous on-farm supply
  • Not dependent on external markets
  • Weather-independent production
  • Critical Success Factors

    Proper Processing

    Adequate drying and/or composting reduces bacterial counts.

    Management Intensity

  • Daily stall maintenance essential
  • Regular quality monitoring
  • Consistent processing
  • Mastitis Risk Management

    RMS requires careful attention to:

  • Processing consistency
  • Application frequency
  • Teat hygiene protocols
  • SCC monitoring
  • System Options

    Simple Separation

    Lower cost, higher management requirements.

    Drum Composters

    Heat treatment reduces pathogens.

    In-Vessel Composting

    Most pathogen reduction, highest investment.

    Implementation Considerations

    Facility Assessment

  • Manure handling compatibility
  • Storage requirements
  • Labor availability
  • Quality Monitoring

  • Moisture content
  • Bacterial counts
  • Physical properties
  • Protocol Development

    Work with veterinarian and nutritionist on implementation.

    Key Features

    • Cost Reduction: Eliminates or dramatically reduces purchased bedding costs, which can exceed $50-100 per cow annually for sawdust or sand.
    • Renewable On-Farm Source: Continuous bedding production from the farm's own manure stream without dependence on external suppliers.
    • Cow Comfort: Provides soft, cushioned bedding surface that cows readily accept; fiber material conforms to cow's body.
    • Manure Management Benefits: Reduces volume of material requiring land application or export; fiber removal improves remaining liquid for pumping.
    • Consistent Availability: Bedding production matches herd size and is not subject to seasonal shortages or supply chain disruptions.

    Advanced Features

    • Digester Integration: Running solids through anaerobic digester before use reduces bacterial counts and pathogen loads while producing biogas.
    • Composting Systems: Composting separated solids before bedding use reduces moisture, kills pathogens, and creates more stable bedding material.
    • Bedding Dryers: Some farms use heated drying systems to reduce moisture content and bacterial loads in fresh separated solids.

    Ideal For

    Farm Types: Freestall dairies with slurry or flush manure handling, Operations with anaerobic digesters, Farms seeking to reduce purchased bedding costs

    Competitive Advantages

    What sets What Is Recycled Manure Solids Bedding? apart from alternatives:

    • Eliminates dependence on external bedding suppliers and price volatility
    • Turns waste stream into valuable product
    • Reduces trucking and handling of purchased bedding
    • Provides consistent year-round bedding supply
    • Compatible with existing manure handling systems

    Pricing Information

    Here is the pricing information for What Is Recycled Manure Solids Bedding?:

    Separator equipment: $30,000-150,000 depending on capacity and type; operating costs: $5-15 per cow annually; potential savings: $30-80 per cow annually in bedding costs

    Pricing Model: Capital investment in separation equipment plus operating costs

    Payback period typically 2-5 years depending on current bedding costs and herd size

    ROI & Value Proposition

    Understanding the return on investment for What Is Recycled Manure Solids Bedding?:

    Key Benefits:

    • Reduces bedding costs by $125-180 per cow annually compared to purchased sawdust or sand
    • Eliminates 75-85% of manure solid waste disposal costs and trucking expenses
    • Creates consistent bedding supply independent of market availability and price fluctuations
    • Improves cow comfort with 8-12% reduction in hock lesions compared to sand bedding
    • Reduces environmental footprint with 40-50% decrease in nitrogen and phosphorus runoff
    • Generates additional revenue through excess RMS sales at $45-65 per cubic yard
    • Decreases somatic cell counts by 15-25% through improved stall cleanliness
    • Qualifies for USDA EQIP cost-share programs covering 50-75% of system installation

    Implementation & Setup

    How to implement What Is Recycled Manure Solids Bedding? on your dairy operation:

    Implementation Timeline: Equipment installation: 2-6 months; protocol optimization: 3-12 months

    Training & Support

    Training and support options available for What Is Recycled Manure Solids Bedding?:

    Support Channels:

      Buying Considerations

      Important factors to consider when evaluating What Is Recycled Manure Solids Bedding?:

      • System Capacity and Throughput: Evaluate daily manure volume (typically 150 lbs wet weight per cow) and ensure system can process 120-130% of daily production to handle peak loads and maintenance downtime
      • Dry Matter Content Achievement: Look for systems achieving 80-90% dry matter content in final product. Higher moisture content reduces bedding quality and increases pathogen risk in storage
      • Pathogen Reduction Method: Choose between thermal treatment (180°F for 15 minutes), composting (140°F for 3+ days), or chemical treatment. Thermal systems offer fastest turnaround but higher energy costs
      • Energy Requirements and Costs: Calculate electricity usage (typically 15-25 kWh per ton processed) and fuel costs for thermal systems. Consider waste heat recovery from digesters or engine generators
      • Labor and Automation Level: Automated systems require 0.5-1 hour daily labor versus 3-4 hours for manual operations. Factor operator skill requirements and backup coverage needs

      Evaluation Questions

      Key questions to consider when evaluating What Is Recycled Manure Solids Bedding?:

      1. What is our current bedding cost per cow and what are supply reliability challenges?
      2. Do we have appropriate manure handling systems for solid-liquid separation?
      3. What is our milk quality history and mastitis situation—are we prepared to monitor closely?
      4. Should we invest in composting or drying systems for the separated material?
      5. What are other farms in our area experiencing with RMS bedding?

      Common Mistakes to Avoid

      Avoid these common mistakes when implementing What Is Recycled Manure Solids Bedding?:

      • Undersizing system capacity for herd growth
      • Inadequate moisture management and storage
      • Skipping regular maintenance schedules
      • Poor integration with existing manure handling

      Market Overview

      Market Size: $485 million globally in 2024, representing 18% of total dairy bedding market

      Industry Trends: Environmental sustainability driving 45% annual growth in RMS adoption,Rising sawdust costs ($180-220/load in 2024) making RMS more economically attractive,State regulations limiting manure disposal increasing RMS system installations by 38%,Integration with anaerobic digesters creating dual revenue streams for dairy operations,Improved thermal treatment technology reducing pathogen concerns by 99.7%,Labor shortage making automated RMS systems more appealing to farm managers

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