Best Management Practices - Carcass Disposal

Rendering

Rendering offers the grower the chance to create a recyclable feed product if it is submitted to the renderer with proper handling.

Advantages

• Recyclable resource.
• Can use year-round.
• Cost.
• Not available in all areas.
• Not available for all species.

Disadvantages

• Lack of biosecurity with pickup of carcasses.

Recommendations

• Get on an annual contract with the renderer rather than a "per call" charge.
• If large enough farm, get on a scheduled weekly or twice weekly pick-up route.
• Use "off-site" pickup points for biosecurity purposes.
• Consider refrigerated "off-site" pickup points.

DO:

• Know what substances the animals were exposed to, to avoid residue problems in the rendered product.
• Follow Board of Animal Health Rules for "off-site pickup point".
  • Must be animal-proof enclosure at least 200 yards from neighbor's buildings.
  • Carcasses may not be left for more than 72 hrs. unless refrigerated - then 7 days.
• Be aware of potential disease spread from a rendering truck.
• Vehicles or containers must be leakproof and covered to haul carcasses over the road. (Contracted vehicles also need a permit from the Board of Animal Health.)

DON'T:

• Delay calling for carcass pickup.
• Leave carcasses where other animals can drag them off.
• Leave carcasses in public view.

Public Relations

What upsets neighbors the most are carcasses left where other animals can drag them into their yards or where the carcasses can be seen from the road. "Off-site" pickup points are required to be animal-proof enclosures.

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