Large Animal Mortality Composting

June 18, 2014

749

In the past Nebraska limited mortality composting to carcasses weighing less than 600 lbs, but this restriction has been removed from the state statute, opening the door to a new carcass disposal option for beef cattle and other large livestock. Although Nebraska has maintained a size restriction on mortality composting for many years, other states have successfully demonstrated that large carcasses, including beef cattle, dairy cattle, and horses, can be effectively composted. Amy Schmid, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Biological Systems Engineer, walks producers through components needed to develop this system in their operation. Recorded during the UNL 2014 Feedlot Roundtable