Archives

New Alberta publications outline animal mortality disposal options

Livestock producers now have access to updated information on disposal of livestock that die on the farm. A new series of manuals has been developed to help ensure producers responsibly manage livestock mortality and protect the environment.

Alberta law requires proper disposal of livestock carcasses, says Kris Chawla, an Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (AAFRD) Technology Development Engineer based in Edmonton. “The proper disposal of animal carcasses helps prevent livestock disease transmission and nuisance complaints. As well, proper disposal protects air and water quality.”

To help producers understand the options under Alberta regulations, which were modified in November of 2000, a team of AAFRD staff, including those from the AgTech Centre in Lethbridge, developed three manuals: Livestock Mortality Management (Disposal), Poultry Mortality Composting and Swine Mortality Composting. “The first document, Livestock Mortality Management (Disposal), lists the disposal options for farmers and the associated advantages and disadvantages of each,” says Chawla. “Composting is a new option under the latest Alberta regulations, so the other two documents describe how to compost carcasses correctly.”

Under Alberta regulations, farmers have several disposal options: incineration, burial, rendering, composting and natural disposal. “Each livestock producer should examine the most cost-effective options available to the operation,” says Wayne Winchell, an AAFRD Livestock Engineer based in Barrhead.

Transporting carcasses to an approved rendering plant is a common choice in areas where the option is available. “Rendering is a good choice because it completely removes the carcass from the farm and prevents any environmental or disease threats from the carcass,” he says. “Since the regulations require that carcasses be disposed of within 48 hours of death, timely pick-up is an issue. Some areas, such as the Peace River area, are not serviced by a rendering plant. As well, a biosecurity threat exists when rendering trucks move from farm to farm.”

Burial is a cost-effective option for livestock disposal in the summer when the ground is not frozen, he says. The regulations require that carcasses be covered with at least one metre of loose soil or 60 centimetres of compacted soil. “Producers should select a burial site that avoids areas with high groundwater levels or shallow aquifers, to prevent contamination.”

Incineration of carcasses has several advantages, including complete volume reduction and convenience, says Winchell. However, the cost of operation and discipline required to properly incinerate carcasses have reduced its popularity in recent years. “A proper incinerator is required because of emission standards and the fact that burning carcasses in non-commercial vessels will not likely generate enough heat to thoroughly incinerate the carcass, especially larger animals.”

A relatively new mortality disposal option available to Alberta livestock producers is composting, says Winchell. Composting reduces the volume of the parent material and destroys pathogens. Composting is primarily an option for smaller animals, such as poultry and swine.

“Installing a composting system can be costly and doing an effective job requires some management and labour,” he says. “On the other hand, you have a value-added product at the end of the process.”

Natural disposal of carcasses, while allowed by law, is not recommended because of the increased risk of disease spread, he says. Producers who choose this option, must follow the regulations governing distances between mortality sites and areas that could be threatened by decaying carcasses, such as groundwater or neighbouring property.

“No producer wants to see mortalities on the farm, but it obviously happens,” says Winchell. “Producers must find the best option that addresses odour concerns and prevents the off-site movement of diseases and nutrients.”

Livestock producers can get copies of the new manuals from the AgTech Centre, 3000 College Drive, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, T1K 1L6.
Phone: (403) 329-1212, Fax: (403) 328-5562. Copies are also available from AAFRD’s Publication Office: Phone 1-800-292-5697. AgTech Centre is part of AAFRD Agricultural Engineering Branch and has a mandate to support agricultural sustainability.

© 2002 Meristem Land and Science
Meristem® is a registered trademark of Meristem Information Resources Ltd. All rights reserved.
Legal Disclaimer