Livestock and Poultry Mortality Management

Josh Payne – Oklahoma State UniversityJean Bonhotal – Cornell University

Shafiqur Rahman – North Dakota State University

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

Livestock and Poultry Mortality

• Routine mortalities• Natural disasters

- Flooding- Tornado- Fire

• Disease outbreak- Avian Influenza- Foot and Mouth Disease

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

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

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

Carcass Disposal Options

• Burial

• Landfills

• Incineration

• Rendering

• Composting

Illustrations courtesy: Cornell Waste Mgmt. Institute

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

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

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

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

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

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

Composting• Definition:

Controlled biological decomposition process that converts organic matter to stable, humus-like product

Livestock Mortality Composting

• Above ground burial in bio-mass filter

Illustration courtesy: Cornell Waste Mgmt. Institute

Livestock Composting Components

• Nitrogen source (dead animal)

• Carbon source (wood chips, shavings)

• Aerobic microorganisms

Additional Tools

• Front-end loader

• Water

• Long-stemmed thermometer

Optimal conditions

• 25 parts carbon and 1 part N (25:1)

• 50% moisture

• 130° – 150°F

Common Bulking Agents

Carbon Source C:N RatioSawdust 200 – 750:1Straw 48 – 150:1Corn stalks 60 – 73:1Finished compost 30 – 50:1Horse manure 22-50:1Cattle manure 19:1Turkey litter 16:1Broiler litter 14:1Animal carcasses 5:1

The Composting ProcessFirst 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 bonesSecond Heat Cycle• Turning pile initiates increased aerobic microbial activity• Temperature increases then decreases• Breakdown of long bones, skull and pelvis• Stabilization of compost material

Compost Site Selection

• Recommend 300 ft. away from roads, residences and waterways

Construct Barrier (optional)

Photo courtesy: Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service

Poultry Compost Bin

Photo courtesy: Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service

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

Calf Pad - 8’ diameter

Photo courtesy: Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service

Horse Pad – 12’ diameter

Photo courtesy: Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service

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

Poultry Bin Layering

Litter

Straw

Dead birds

Note: 6” of space from sidewall

Illustration courtesy: Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service

Build Windrows for Multiple Mortalities

Illustration courtesy: Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service

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

Finished pile

Photos courtesy: Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service

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

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

Monitor Temperature

• After turning, pile will heat again, then cool• Pile should begin to cure

Chart courtesy: Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service

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

Mortality Composting

• Turns waste into valuable soil amendment• Reduces disease transmission• Reduces environmental contamination• Promotes sustainable agriculture

Questions?For more info visit:

extension.org/animal_manure_management

Photo courtesy: Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service