Disposal of Dead Livestock through Composting

Livestock production is an important component of agricultural activities in many countries all over the world. While livestock production is considered profitable, it also has its shares of responsibilities. Diseases are one of the challenges faced by producers because it poses the worst threat to livestock growth. Increasing mortality of livestock is generally due to diseases and when a great number of animals are affected by the disease, the producer is faced with the challenge on the proper disposal of dead livestock.

Composting as a viable means of disposal of dead livestock

Proper disposal of dead livestock is any of the following methods: incineration, composting, burial and rendering. Rendering is a preferred method of disposal but some companies have restrictions regarding the quality and condition of the animal carcasses. When the dead livestock does not remain intact when handled it will not be received by the rendering plant. Using burial for the disposal of dead livestock may not be the best option during winter when the frozen ground becomes a challenge or there is no approved site in the area for a burial pit. If there are no incinerators in the immediate vicinity, the best option to reduce health hazards and risks to the environment is to compost the dead livestock.

The process of composting

Before composting dead livestock, it is important to ask the local environmental agency if a permit is required. Composting is a popular form of disposal of dead livestock in Canada but it should be designed and managed in a way that will minimize pollution to the environment and it should be sufficient enough to manage normal mortality rates.

1.       As an underlying layer or substrate, a mixture of hay, manure and bedding with moisture content between 40% and 50% can be used. Odor can be minimized as long as the pile is aerated and the covering material has enough carbon sources like straw, sawdust or hay that provides 21:1 ratio of carbon to nitrogen.

2.       A windrow that is 10 feet wide by 4 feet deep should be constructed with dry manure and bedding mixture. It should be placed in a solid spot where the ground slope is 1% to 2%. The windrow should be lengthwise with the slope of the land so that runoff and snow cannot puddle against the windrow. Perfect sites will be an area where tractors can maneuver in any kind of weather.

3.        You might want to puncture the rumen on cattle to avoid a gas buildup and possible explosion before you place the carcass. Cover it with 2 feet of the same manure and bedding mixture that is underneath the carcass.

4.       The pile must heat up for proper composting. Temperatures around the carcass should rise to 150 to 160 degrees. It is important to monitor temperature every 2 or 3 weeks. If temperature falls to 110 to 125 degrees, stir the material with a bucket loader to allow oxygen to reactivate composting.

5.       If left untouched, the carcass will decompose within 5 to 6 months. Cold temperature may slow down the process of composting but stirring the mix and covering the carcass again can speed up the time.

Composting will create good fertilizer but you can just leave the compost in place until it is pulverized.