Animal Bedding Gypsum Products
Why gypsum animal bedding?
- Gypsum is more absorbent than sawdust or shavings
- Gypsum can reduce cell counts and Mastitis problems
- Reduce foot health problems
Organic bedding materials, such as sawdust, shavings, straw and corn fodder are typically used by the dairy industry. However, these organic bedding materials support conditions (moisture, nutrients, and rich pH) which are more ideal for pathogenic growth than inorganic (gypsum) bedding. Using mineral bedding materials will decrease teat end exposure to environmental mastitis pathogens.
Carbon and other nutrients essential for bacterial growth are more available in organic bedding than in gypsum bedding. Dry matter content of most organic material is often less than 70% versus greater than 90% for gypsum bedding. Besides that, drier bedding will result in fewer flies, slip resistance and an odor free area.
Gypsum bedding pays you back!
- Increase the fertilizer value of your manure
- Reduce fertilizer purchases
A chemical reaction between gypsum and ammonia in urine ties up the ammonia in the form of ammonium sulfate. Odor is reduced and the environment in the barn is improved. The retained ammonia increases the natural nitrogen in the manure. Using wood bedding products sours your soil and may require additional lime to sweeten the soil.
Becasue gypsum bedding combined with manure is spread on croplands, it has value as a source of additional nitrogen, calcium and sulfur. Most farmers purchase these products for their crops so the cost of gypsum bedding is recovered. Gypsum is soluble and penetrates soil without incorporation. Thus, it is an excellent source of calcium and sulfate for pastures, alfalfa and no-till.
Gypsum Pellet Bedding
Analysis Gypsum 88% Paper Fiber 12%
The dried Gypsum granules are made up of many small particles with voids which enhance the absorbing power. Gypsum pellets draw moisture which keeps cows cleaner and drier and support conditions which decrease the source of pathogens that cause mastitis and increase cell counts. Use of Gypsum Pellet Bedding also reduces the bedding rate and labor costs. The off white color brightens the area, gives the barn a clean appearance, reduces odors and is harmless to livestock. Spread a thin layer that does not entirely cover the mat or mattress. Moisture is drawn to the particles. Add additional Gypsum Pellets as needed. Spreads well with Wood Chuck bedding spreaders. Also works well as an additive to sawdust or shavings. Available in bulk or 40lb bags.
Paper + Gypsum
Analysis Gypsum 51% Paper Fiber 49%
Ideal bedding for Compost Bedded Pack Barns. Gypsum residual with the shredded paper aids the composting process. Since the 1920’s professional composters have used gypsum as a compost additive. Composting of organic materials leads to loss of nitrogen via ammonia volatilization. Gypsum helps to retain nitrogen and aerate the bed pack for better air penetration. Paper + Gypsum also helps to balance the carbon to nitrogen ratio of the compost, and absorbs more moisture than sawdust, shavings, corn fodder or other organic materials. Paper+Gypsum can also be used as an additive to normal bedded packs with similar advantages. Available in bulk shipments.
Gypsum Barn Dry
Analysis 21% calcium & 17% sulfate.
Gypsum particles from ¼” to powder. You get all the advantages of gypsum bedding with better absorbing capabilities than lime based barn dry products. Works great with broom finished or grooved walkways. Gypsum dissolves and won’t settle out in barn gutters or manure storage tanks. Available in bulk or 50lb bags.
Grip X1 Barn Dry
Analysis 29% Calcium 8% Sulfur
A white, specially formulated blend of gypsum & Lime. Provides excellent footing while reducing settling in gravity flow gutters and waste storage pits & lagoons. Get the benefits of gypsum bedding, Odor reduction, nitrogen increases, calcium & sulfate with all the traction of a lime based barn dry. GripX1 is safe non toxic, non caustic & odorless. Available in 50lb bags.
Load Sizes
Paper + Gypsum |
Gypsum Pellet Bedding |
Gypsum Barn-dry |
| 120 - 4.5 cu.ft. plastic Approx. 3 ton | 120 - 40 lb. paper bags 2.4 ton | 120 - 50 lb. paper bags 3 ton |
| 15 yard bulk Approx. 3 ton | 15 yards bulk Approx. 4.5 tons | |
| 100 Yards bulk trailer load Approx. 18 ton | 60 yards bulk Approx. 18 ton |