It is common for any farm to produce waste materials which
should be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way to avoid contamination
of soil and ground water. There are instances when a farm has to face mass
deaths of animals due to bad weather, disease outbreaks or poisoning which
results into a greater problem of disposal of animal carcasses. Proper disposal
is extremely important to prevent negative impact to the health of humans and
the remaining livestock in the farm.
Proper ways for the disposal of
animal carcasses
Disposal of dead livestock is subject to the regulations of
Waste Materials Disposal Act which requires that dead livestock must be kept
secure in a frozen state if it is not disposed of within 48 hours from the time
of death to prevent scavengers to feed on the carcasses. Proper disposal
includes rendering, burial, composting or incineration.
Rendering
This is a process of converting animal carcasses into a
pathogen-free, useful product like feed protein. In this process of disposal of
animal carcasses, exposure to high temperature of about 130oC or 265oF
is required to destroy pathogens and to reduce bio-security concerns when
transferring the animal carcasses to the rendering plant. However, there are
many challenges faced by farms related to the distance between the farm and the
rendering plant wherein delay in pickup service will increase costs and
bio-security risks. Very often, there are restrictions as to the quality and
condition of animal carcasses that are fit for rendering making it a less
feasible option for farmers.
Burial
This method of disposal of animal carcasses is an option
during the summer months where it is relatively easier to dig a trench that is
backfilled each time that an animal carcass is added. The trench should be away
from any residential homes, drinking wells or areas that have the tendency to
be flooded. Farm owners have to take to necessary precautions with the trench
since it can be a safety hazard if left open. During winter when digging a
trench is a challenge, the carcasses can be placed in a holding area like a
covered trailer where they will remain frozen until burial is possible in
spring.
Composting
Disposal of animal carcasses through composting is a
naturally occurring process where the dead animals are broken down into their
basic elements by microorganisms, bacteria and fungi. Operations using the
composting for animal carcasses must be designed and managed in a way that
prevents pollution. Composting has become a favorite method for farms for the
disposal of animal carcasses since it can be implemented rapidly at minimal
cost; however, selection of the proper composting site is important to prevent
runoff of leachate.
Incineration
When incinerators are employed for the disposal of animal
carcasses, the temperature of the incinerator must be sufficiently high and the
dead animals must be burned without creating an odor problem. The incineration
must be able to consume totally the animal carcasses fed on them. The
installation and operation of an incineration must comply with the
Environmental Protection Act as to its location so that any prevailing winds
will carry the fumes away from residential areas.
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