Livestock and Poultry Mortality Management
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For more: http://www.extension.org/68315 Managing animal mortalities is an unpleasant but necessary part of raising livestock or poultry. Improper carcass disposal can negatively impact the environment and be a source of disease or pathogens. This material was developed for use in beginning farmer and extension programs, high school classrooms, and for self-study or professional continuing education.
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Livestock and Poultry Mortality Management
- 1. Livestock and Poultry Mortality Management Josh Payne – Oklahoma State University Jean Bonhotal – Cornell University Shafiqur Rahman – North Dakota State University
- 2. Livestock and Poultry Mortality • Issue faced by every animal farming operation • Management is vital for: - controlling disease - proper nutrient management - maintaining regulatory compliance Photo courtesy: Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service
- 3. Livestock and Poultry Mortality • Routine mortalities • Natural disasters - Flooding - Tornado - Fire • Disease outbreak - Avian Influenza - Foot and Mouth Disease
- 4. Improper Disposal • Risks to ground and surface water from leachate • Risks to human and animal health • Neighbor/Nuisance complaints • Regulated by state agencies Photo courtesy: Texas AgriLife Extension Service
- 5. Disease Transmission • Pathogens may be present in carcass • Can be spread by: • Runoff from rainfall • Direct contact with other animals • Scavengers • Insects Illustration courtesy: Cornell Waste Mgmt. Institute
- 6. Goals of Carcass Disposal • Fulfills regulations • Creates positive public perception • Reduces diseased transmission • Promotes environmental sustainability • Produces beneficial by-product • Economical • Practical Illustration courtesy: Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service
- 7. Carcass Disposal Options • Burial • Landfills • Incineration • Rendering • Composting Illustrations courtesy: Cornell Waste Mgmt. Institute
- 8. Burial • Proper guidelines must be followed • Poor site selection, sandy soils, areas with high water tables may pose threat to groundwater contamination • Construct pit at least 300’ from waterways and at least 1’ above floodplain level • Cover carcasses with at least 1’ of topsoil • Does not recycle nutrients for forage uptake Illustrations courtesy: Cornell Waste Mgmt. Institute and Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service
- 9. Landfills • Some licensed landfills accept animal mortalities • May require notification prior to delivery • Tipping fees may range from $20-40/ton • Consider transportation costs • Consider disease transmission risks by moving carcasses off-farm • Does not recycle nutrients • Increases landfill volume making it unsustainable
- 10. Incineration • Carcass consumed by fire and heat • Requires self contained incinerator • Recycles nutrients in form of ash • May require air quality permit • Pathogens are destroyed • Mainly designed for smaller carcasses • Fuel costs should be considered • Open air incineration discouraged due to odor, emissions and lack of heat to fully consume carcass
- 11. Rendering • Cooks the carcass while killing pathogens • Meat and bone meal and fat are by-products • Used in pet food, rubber, soaps, biodiesel, etc. • Recycles nutrients • Availability limited to some producers • Fees may be associated with service • Consider disease transmission risks by moving carcasses off-farm
- 12. Composting • Carcass is buried in a carbon source • Converts carcass into stable, humus-like product • High temperatures kill most pathogens • Proper management is key for effectiveness • Produces valuable soil amendment • Recycles nutrients
- 13. Disposal Options Summary • Incineration, rendering and composting are preferred methods as they recycle nutrients and produce usable by-product • Availability may limit incineration and rendering • Composting can be conducted on any farm • This presentation focuses on composting
- 14. Composting • Definition: Controlled biological decomposition process that converts organic matter to stable, humus-like product
- 15. Livestock Mortality Composting • Above ground burial in bio-mass filter Illustration courtesy: Cornell Waste Mgmt. Institute
- 16. Livestock Composting Components • Nitrogen source (dead animal) • Carbon source (wood chips, shavings) • Aerobic microorganisms
- 17. Additional Tools • Front-end loader • Water • Long-stemmed thermometer
- 18. Optimal conditions • 25 parts carbon and 1 part N (25:1) • 50% moisture • 130 – 150 F
- 19. Common Bulking Agents Carbon Source C:N Ratio Sawdust 200 – 750:1 Straw 48 – 150:1 Corn stalks 60 – 73:1 Finished compost 30 – 50:1 Horse manure 22-50:1 Cattle manure 19:1 Turkey litter 16:1 Broiler litter 14:1 Animal carcasses 5:1
- 20. The Composting Process First Heat Cycle • Carcass and carbon material layered in pile • High rate of anaerobic and aerobic microbial activity • Temperature increases then decreases • Breakdown of flesh and small bones Second Heat Cycle • Turning pile initiates increased aerobic microbial activity • Temperature increases then decreases • Breakdown of long bones, skull and pelvis • Stabilization of compost material
- 21. Compost Site Selection • Recommend 300 ft. away from roads, residences and waterways
- 22. Construct Barrier (optional) Photo courtesy: Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service
- 23. Poultry Compost Bin Photo courtesy: Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service
- 24. Build a Pad • 18-24 inches deep • 8 ft. diameter for stocker calves • 10 ft. diameter for mature cows • 12 ft. diameter for horses Illustration courtesy: Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service
- 25. Calf Pad - 8’ diameter Photo courtesy: Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service
- 26. Horse Pad – 12’ diameter Photo courtesy: Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service
- 27. Carcass placement • Secure legs and head with baling twine (optional) • Carcass located 18-24” from pad edge Photo courtesy: Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service
- 28. Poultry Bin Layering Litter Straw Dead birds Note: 6” of space from sidewall Illustration courtesy: Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service
- 29. Build Windrows for Multiple Mortalities Illustration courtesy: Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service
- 30. Adding Carbon Cover Water may be added to pad and carbon cover - damp to the touch (~50%) Photo courtesy: Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service
- 31. Finished pile Photos courtesy: Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service
- 32. Monitor Temperature • Pile will heat to over 130 F then gradually drop • Once temp drops to 30 F below max temp or below 110 F, turn pile
- 33. Turning pile • Mix using front end loader • Add moisture if needed • Large bones should remain in core of pile Photo courtesy: Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service
- 34. Monitor Temperature • After turning, pile will heat again, then cool • Pile should begin to cure Chart courtesy: Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service
- 35. Finished product • Land apply as fertilizer • Use to compost additional mortalities • Remaining bones should be brittle and can be further composted or land applied Photos courtesy: Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service
- 36. Mortality Composting • Turns waste into valuable soil amendment • Reduces disease transmission • Reduces environmental contamination • Promotes sustainable agriculture
- 37. Questions? For more info visit: extension.org/animal_manure_management Photo courtesy: Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service