SOP Treatment of Separated Manure Solids to Reduce Klebsiella Bacteria Counts

Study with Cornell University on separated manure solids (recycled manure solids) with repeated sampling of treated vs. control piles: average >90% reduction in Klebsiella counts, with peaks up to 99.9% on day 2 in the treated pile compared to control, using SOP treatment (SQC 233 formula).

Summary: The study was conducted on two piles of separated solids (~3 m³ each), one treated and one maintained as control, with repeated sampling at multiple depths. In the treated pile, a marked reduction in Klebsiella counts was observed: >90% on average, with peaks up to 99.9% on day 2 compared to the control pile (P < 0.01 as reported in the contribution).

The use of separated manure solids as bedding material (separated/recycled manure solids) can provide management and circular economy benefits but requires strict microbial control to limit environmental microbial pressure associated with barn hygiene and health issues. Klebsiella is considered a relevant indicator of environmental risk related to bedding and housing surfaces.

In this context, the contribution presented at the National Mastitis Council (NMC) 50th Annual Meeting—a conference with peer review and selection by the scientific committee—reports a study conducted with the Cornell University team (Prof. Ynte H. Schukken) to evaluate the effectiveness of the SQC 233 formula (contained in SOP products such as SOP EASYCOW, SOP STAR COW, SOP GOLD PRO COW) in supporting the hygienization of separated solids used as bedding.

The experimental setup included two separated solids piles of approximately 3 m³ each: one treated and one control. Daily sampling was performed during the initial phase (days 0–3) and an additional point on day 7, with samples taken at multiple depths (20–30 cm, 40–60 cm, 60–100 cm) to assess microbial load dynamics over time.

Results: SOP treatment led to a significant reduction in Klebsiella counts in the treated pile compared to the control, with an average reduction >90% and peaks up to 99.9% on day 2 (P < 0.01 as reported in the contribution). Overall, the study highlights the relevance of an operational approach to bio-hygienization of bedding matrices based on separated solids, supporting barn hygiene management needs.