Bedding Hygiene: A Key Driver of Animal Health and Livestock Performance
In livestock production, bedding quality influences far more than animal comfort. It directly affects animal health, welfare, zootechnical performance and ultimately the profitability of the farm. Bedding is a dynamic environment that continuously changes under the influence of moisture, manure, microorganisms and gaseous emissions.
When poorly managed, it rapidly becomes a source of sanitary risk. Conversely, clean, dry and sanitized bedding acts as an effective preventive tool, helping to create healthier housing conditions and supporting sustainable livestock production.
This is the philosophy behind ACTISAN® 360 and ACTIPLUS® 360, two innovative bedding hygiene solutions developed by TIMAC AGRO. Their 360° approach combines drying, sanitizing, odour reduction and ammonia control to improve the overall livestock environment.
Bedding: A Living Ecosystem
Bedding is the first interface between the animal and its environment. Every day it receives manure, urine, moisture from animal respiration and water losses from drinking systems. As moisture accumulates, the biological balance of the bedding changes significantly.
Several processes occur simultaneously:
- Increased bacterial growth;
- Development of pathogenic microorganisms;
- Ammonia production;
- Formation of unpleasant odours;
- Insect proliferation;
- Reduced animal comfort.
This chain of events creates a vicious cycle that progressively affects herd health and production.
Poor bedding management has been associated with:
- Environmental mastitis;
- Lameness;
- Neonatal diarrhoea;
- Metritis;
- Reduced milk quality;
- Lower growth rates;
- Decreased reproductive performance.
Moisture: The Main Risk Factor
Effective bedding hygiene always begins with one objective: keeping the bedding dry. Free water is essential for the growth of most pathogenic microorganisms. Moisture also promotes the enzymatic conversion of urea into ammonia.
As bedding becomes wetter, it becomes:
- More difficult to maintain;
- More aggressive to hooves and udders;
- More favourable to bacterial survival and multiplication.
Efficient moisture control therefore represents the first line of defence in any livestock biosecurity strategy.
A 360° Approach to Bedding Hygiene
Unlike conventional drying agents, ACTISAN® 360 and ACTIPLUS® 360 do much more than absorb moisture.
Their technology combines complementary mechanisms that address all the major factors responsible for bedding deterioration.
1. High-Performance Drying
The primary objective is to rapidly remove excess moisture from the bedding.
ACTIPLUS® 360 is capable of absorbing up to three times its own weight in water. The absorbed water is then crystallized into a stable form, preventing mud formation and providing a long-lasting drying effect. ACTISAN® 360 incorporates high-performance drying components providing irreversible water absorption, without forming sludge or paste.
Keeping bedding dry significantly limits microbial development.
2. pH Management to Reduce Pathogen Development
Bedding pH plays a crucial role in microbial growth. Both products incorporate acidifying components that help create an environment less favourable to pathogenic bacteria.
ACTISAN® 360 strongly acidifies the bedding surface, promoting acidophilic flora that naturally contributes to limiting pathogen development.
Similarly, ACTIPLUS® 360 provides an acidifying effect compatible with the physiological pH of animal skin, helping reduce pathogen proliferation.
3. Ammonia Capture and Air Quality Improvement
Ammonia is one of the main pollutants in livestock buildings.
High ammonia concentrations can lead to:
- Respiratory irritation;
- Reduced animal comfort;
- Poor air quality;
- Nitrogen losses from manure.
TIMAC AGRO technologies have been specifically designed to reduce these emissions. Besides improving respiratory comfort, reducing ammonia also enhances the agronomic value of livestock manure.
4. Creating a Healthier Environment
Bedding hygiene depends on more than moisture control alone.
ACTIPLUS® 360 contains eucalyptus-based sanitizing properties that help improve the livestock environment while supporting healthy respiratory function.
ACTISAN® 360 combines sanitizing aromatic compounds with drying and acidification technologies to improve overall bedding hygiene.
Together, these mechanisms contribute to reducing odours, improving animal comfort and lowering sanitary pressure within livestock buildings.
Tangible Benefits for Livestock Farms
Improved bedding hygiene delivers measurable technical and economic benefits.
Animal Health
Cleaner and drier bedding helps reduce environmental factors associated with mastitis, lameness, neonatal diarrhoea and uterine infections.
Animal Welfare
A clean resting area improves comfort while reducing exposure to moisture, unpleasant odours and irritating gases.
Livestock Performance
- Better milk quality;
- Higher milk production;
- Improved daily weight gain;
- Better fertility;
Reduced slaughterhouse penalties.
Farm Profitability
Lower veterinary costs, improved longevity and more consistent production performance make effective bedding hygiene a valuable economic investment for livestock producers.
Bedding hygiene has become a cornerstone of modern livestock management. By simultaneously controlling moisture, pH, ammonia emissions and the overall housing environment, producers can reduce sanitary risks while improving animal welfare and production performance.
With their comprehensive 360° approach, ACTISAN® 360 and ACTIPLUS® 360 go beyond traditional bedding conditioners. They provide an integrated preventive solution that supports healthier animals, greater productivity and more sustainable livestock farming.
