Knowing how to deal with a carcass after the death of livestock animals is crucial for the cleanliness, sanitation and environmental health of the region.
Bob Schultheis is a natural resource engineering specialist with the University of Missouri Extension in Webster County, Missouri.
He noted that, “The Missouri Ozarks have a geologically-fragile topography that makes it easy for one landowner to pollute drinking water supplies of many people across a broad area. That’s why it is so important to properly dispose of dead animals and manage all other forms of pollutants.”
In Missouri, a farmer really has four main options for how to dispose of animals: 1) burning, 2) burying, 3) composting or 4) rendering.
Dr. Chuck Dake, a veterinarian in Lawrence County, said that most livestock farmers are probably tempted to just leave the carcass for the coyotes. However, that can cause sanitation and ground water problems for both the farmer and his neighbors. There’s also the possibility of the family pets getting into the carcass and bringing diseases back to the home.
The practicality and expense should be considered when deciding how to dispose of animal carcasses. Schultheis noted that the approach to disposal depends on the size, frequency and number of dead animals involved.
He noted, “For large animals like cattle, pigs and horses, taking the animal to a rendering plant is the preferred option, if it is available. Composting would be the second choice, if a sufficient supply of sawdust is available. In-ground burial is the least-preferred option, but may be the only choice in many situations.”
Dr. Dake agreed that burial may not be the best decision because of the potential cost to hire someone to bring out a back hoe and come dig a hole. According to the University of Missouri Extension’s website, “The maximum amount of land that is used for on-site burial of animals on any person’s property during a given year is limited to 10 percent of the total land owned by that person or 1 acre, whichever is greater.”
It goes on to say that burial sites shouldn’t be in low-lying areas subject to flooding, that the animal must be covered by 30 inches of soil, that carcasses should not be placed in a ditch, the base of a hill or in a cavern and then covered with soil. In addition, the place of burial must be at least 300 feet from any wells, surface water intake structures, springs, public drinking water supply lakes, or sinkholes; at least 50 feet from property lines; at least 300 feet from any existing neighboring residence; and more than 100 feet from any surface water like a stream, lake or pond.
Dr. Dake advised for large animals over 150 pounds that the abdominal cavity is opened before burial or burning. If burning an animal, Dake said, make sure you allow the bowels to fall out and dry for 24 hours so that the animal will burn more easily.
Missouri state law regulates proper disposal methods for dead animals. The law states that animal producers should dispose of the animal within 24 hours after learning of its death. The state veterinarian is allowed under Missouri law to enter a premises and remove a dead animal if the owner is unwilling or unable to do so himself. The owner is then responsible for the financial cost of that removal.
I didn’t know that burying, burning, rendering, and compositing were the main ways of removing a deal farm animal. Thanks for speaking how they are clean ways of disposing of them. My father in law is a farmer, and his cow recently passed away, so I will pass on your tips about the proper removal of them.