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The results of this study show there are numerical and statistical differences in bacteria concentrations in sand samples taken from stockpiles of fresh and reclaimed sand during the winter months. The data shows bacteria concentrations in stockpiles on two farms exceeded 106 cfu/ml. The data suggests dairies need to monitor the sand quality to avoid the potential of mastitis due to elevated concentrations of bacteria in the reclaimed sand. During the winter months, longer conditioning or drying periods may be required when recycling sand from gravity separation systems. The data suggest that raking stalls does move the bacteria beneath the surface of the stalls. Dairies with high somatic cell in their milk that are using reclaimed sand for bedding may need to consider removal of the sand from the beds to improve milk quality.