Best Management Practices - Carcass Disposal

Composting

Composting is the process of placing carcasses in layers with a carbon source and manure to allow the natural heating process to break down the carcass and reduce its mass. As of January, 1996, composting is allowed for swine, sheep, goats and poultry.

Advantages

• Biosecurity.
• Year-round use.
• Inexpensive.
• Environmentally sound.
• Value - added product to sell or use.
• Best and recommended method to handle catastrophic losses.
• Heat of composting process kills pathogens and insect larvae.

Disadvantages

• May be more labor intensive.
• Requires impervious pad, rot resistant walls and cover to repel rain.
• Takes some practice to develop the "art".
• Requires carbon source (straw, sawdust, cornstalks, etc)

Recommendations

Composting is an "art" that must be practiced because of the variety in materials, weather conditions and number of carcasses. It is best to have the same person doing the composting to consistently read the pile.

DO:

Follow protocol as specified in Board of Animal Health rules.

• Process mortality daily.
• Keep carcasses covered and at least 6" from sides.
• Take and record temperature daily (must reach 130ƒ F).
• Start with a base of carbon source material.
• Put carcasses, litter and carbon source in layers.
• Mix pile at least 1 time when the temperature starts to decline; this will generate a new heat cycle after each mixing.

DON'T:

• Use frozen carcasses for composting.
• Store carcasses before processing.

Public Relations

Build composter out of sight and away from neighbors. While a compost pile that is working right will have no smell and no insects, it may bother neighbors to see carcasses going into it on a daily basis. Convince your neighbors to use the finished compost for their gardens (before you tell them what is in it).

References for more information

• Extension Service - University of Minnesota
  Dr. Sally Noll - (612) 624-4928
  
  
• Minnesota Board of Animal Health
  Dr. Bill Hartmann - (612) 296-2942
  
  
• Minnesota Pollution Control
  (Feed Lot Permits) (612) 296-6300
  
  
• Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources
  (Wetlands) (612) 296-4800