Q.”I’m looking for advice. Recently we finished a dry shed for cattle for winter. Location wise, and for financial reasons, we didn’t go for slats this time. Since its completion, the debate has started about bedding for the winter. People have suggested woodchip, straw or wood shavings. I was leaning towards straw, but I said I would explore other options first. Can you shed some light into the pros and cons?”

Answer

Both straw and woodchip have their merits. Woodchip can be expensive to buy and difficult to source at certain times of the year.

Straw is a good option, but on a solid bedded floor, it will need topping up regularly. It will hold moisture reasonably well, but will need cleaning out regularly if cows and calves are using the shed.

You’ll need a lot of straw for a full winter, which requires storage. Then there is the need for a midden to store used straw before it can be applied to land.

Straw is readily available and easy to use for bedding. Chopped straw or a straw bedder makes it easier to spread. Straw can be spread on the ground for ploughing in or just on top of grassland. It will help increase soil organic matter, which ultimately builds soil fertility.

Negatives

Be careful when bedding cattle, as they can present danger. Other downsides include dust or moulded bales, which release spores when opening the bale. This is not good for human lungs.

Woodchip is more absorbent than straw, provided it is properly dried. A bedding of 12in to 18in is recommended. Bedding will need a top-up, but less regularly than straw bedding.

Don’t use waste timber that has wood preservative painted through it, as this can be toxic to animals. Some soft wood timber will splinter and can cause discomfort to animals, but this is relatively uncommon.

With woodchip, you can’t spread on grassland as it will not break down as quickly as straw. There will be larger timber chipping that can be lifted in silage or damage machinery if spread on surface. Woodchip can also use up soil nutrients to break down. Woodchip needs to be ploughed down. It can be stored for use in the second winter if it is well managed over winter. Cattle coming off woodchip will usually be cleaner than straw.

Wood shavings can be very hard to manage in a shed without a collection tank for seepage. I would go with woodchip or straw rather than shavings.

This reader’s query came to us via WhatsApp. To join the Irish Farmers Journal’s WhatsApp group and receive daily news updates to your phone, just follow these steps:

1. Download WhatsApp to your smartphone and ensure notifications are switched on.

2. Save our WhatsApp number (086-836 6465) in your phone as Irish Farmers Journal.

3. WhatsApp or text your full name and JOIN to 086-836 6465.

4. Once we’ve added you to our broadcast list, you’re good to go.