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Burial is a common way to manage livestock and poultry carcasses. There are some considerations for ensuring burial does not contaminate water.
Check out the other video FAQs on carcass management.
Author: Joshua Payne, Oklahoma State University
Reviewers: Shafiqur Rahman, North Dakota State University and Jean Bonhotal, Cornell University
Compost containing animal carcasses should probably be utilized on crops that are not meant for human consumption for a couple of different reasons.
Disposal of the end product with regard to roadkill compost…we use it on the roadsides and plant vegetation on the roadsides.
With [farm] mortality compost, we want to be careful about where we are putting cows and chickens because we are using it back on the farm. So we may want to remove the large bones [and reuse them as part of the base for the next mortality compost pile]. We do not want to puncture any tires. But the bones do get pitted and will start breaking apart after a couple of cycles of the composting process. We do not want to use this on food crops. We may prefer to use this on field crops where the soil is tilled. We can apply the compost and then till it in. Definitely use it on crops that are harvested above the ground…corn and things like that. Do not use [mortality compost] on root vegetable or on things where we risk contamination if there is a problem.
Mortality compost can also be used in forested areas.
Author: Jean Bonhotal, Cornell University
For active decomposition of animal carcasses, compost microorganisms require a source of nitrogen (N) (dead livestock or birds), carbon (C) (straw, corn stalks, shavings, litter, etc.), oxygen, water and elevated temperatures. An ideal C:N ratio should fall between 15:1 to 35:1. Oxygen (air) can be introduced when turning the compost. If proper moisture is not supplied, the organisms cannot survive. Ideally, moisture content should range from 45-55%, or wet enough when the compost is squeezed to leave your hand feeling moist, without actually forming drops of water. When all components are present in the correct ratio, the compost pile heats naturally, destroying most pathogens while microbial activity degrades the carcasses.
Resources:
Check out the other video FAQs on carcass management
Author: Joshua Payne, Oklahoma State University
Reviewers: Shafiqur Rahman, North Dakota State University and Jean Bonhotal, Cornell University
Recently, NAQSAT was incorporated in the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service guidance to assist in resource concern identification and conservation planning efforts. This presentation was originally broadcast on May 20, 2016. More… Continue reading “Implementation and Experiences of NAQSAT Around the US”