Associations of sampling and bedding with dairy cow milk microbiota

The goal of this study was to describe associations of milk sample collection methods and exposure to bedding with the types of bacteria detected in samples of cow's milk. Methods used to collect the milk sample were associated with the number of bacterial species detected in milk, and bedding type was associated with the composition of bacterial communities found in milk samples. Both method of sampling and type of bedding that cows are exposed to are important factors to consider when studying the milk microbiota.