Methods and Case Studies. Note Rumen

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1 GOT GUTS? Mortality Composting In New Mexico Methods and Case Studies Auralie Ashley-Marx New Mexico Recycling Conference June 22, 2010 Learning Objectives Understand Objectives of mortality and butcher residual composting Learn about static pile composting systems construction and the natural mechanisms that allow them to work Five fundamental factors and how they affect composting performance Strategies for avoiding odor, leachate release, ground and surface water contamination What is Mortality Composting? Offal is the entrails and internal organs of a butchered animal. Mortality composting is a static pile process that composts dead, intact animals and butcher residuals (offal) Mortality composting employs slightly different practices that improve the microbial working environment decomposition occurs under controlled conditions. Whole dead animals (cattle, poultry, sheep, pigs, elk deer) New Mexico Example of Mortality Waste Butcher Waste heads, bones, rumen, Note Rumen hides Why Compost Animal Mortalities? Composting is legal and proven management method Timeliness allows producers to manage mortalities promptly. Can be done year round Works for all sizes and species of animals Pathogen kill occurs in thermophillic composts Lower cost management alternative Paunch manure and other parts not accepted in rendering will compost Prevents possible biosecurity concerns associated with rendering truck moving from farm to farm Rendering service option may not be available Benefits of Mortality and Butcher Waste Composting Low capital & operating costs Simplicity & reliability no need to store animals or for special additional equipment or materials Environmental, public health, and groundwater protection Conserves nutrients in dead animals Easy to construct or expand 1

2 What is a Static Compost Pile? Static Pile Windrow Composting Process no turning or pile movement Passively aerated system Pre-mixing of carbon and nitrogen feed stocks not necessary Piles should be between 5-8 feet Cornell Waste Management Institute Carcasses enveloped in a low-cost high carbon organic bulking agent materials such as; wood chips, old silage, sawdust or dry stall bedding 15 Cubic yards of carbon material is needed to compost one ton of butcher waste 12 cubic yards is needed to compost a full-grown cow Site Selection Is Critical Select a site that is flat, imperme- able and well drained Must be located well away from water bodies Should not be placed in a flood plain Carcass Static Compost Pile 500 feet from any permanent residence 200 feet Water Course and Water Bodies, Arroyos and Wetlands 200 feet Sinkholes 300 feet Wells Operation Plan must demonstrate that groundwater will be protected Water Quality Protection Select the right site- soil type, setbacks, access, buffer zone, and slopes to prevent run-off Impermeable soils or surfaces, and surface water diversion drainage around the compost area protect surface & groundwater from nitrates Vegetative filter strips around site can also be effective Leachate release every 1,000 lbs of carcasses contains ~600 lbs of water Nitrogen approximately 22 lbs and 8 lbs of phosphorus in every 1,000 lbs of carcasses Example of Woodchip Surface Water Protection Berm Paved pad with berm to protect storm water drains Five Composting Factors Moisture Content Most Important! Below 40% too dry, bacteria die of starvation Above 65%- too wet. Pore spaces fill with water, oxygen can t get in, toxic gases cannot get out, pile goes anaerobic, releases odors. Oxygen at least 5%, above 10% maintain decay. Note air contains 21% Temperature range F; > 131 F kills pathogens, >145 F kills weed seeds,>160 F kills bacteria, <100 F slow decay Nutrients (carbon-to to- nitrogen ratio) Impractical to measure in mortality. 25:1 recommended. <10:1 results in ammonia emissions Lack of shelter from UV light-sunlight, drying causes bacterial death Management is the key to successful composting Must keep process in balance in New Mexico you may need to add water to bulking agent to reach optimal water content range of 30%-40% Carbon Material Compost Water Air Maintain windrows & keep area clean 2

3 Equipment Use typical farm, landfill or public works equipment Tractor/loader or skid loader to: Haul carcasses and cover materials Build, turn, and unload compost bins, or deconstruct windrows Manure spreader to haul and land apply finished compost Recommended Specialized equipment Long stem inch, dial-type composting thermometer to check internal compost temperatures Useful for trouble troubleshooting Approximate cost $50-$150 Log book to record notes and temperatures Mortality Windrow Construction Rules Windrow Height 7-8 feet Max Size for good oxygen penetration Wider piles not recommended, core area may not receive enough oxygen Natural Composting Mechanisms Extra Moisture Needed In NM! Natural ventilation of water vapor and decomposition gas Odorous decay gases absorbed and broken down Air Cornell Waste Management Institute IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY If litter or bulking agent is dry add moisture to layers as building the pile or to bulk materials immediately prior to composting. Moisture content should be 30%-40% How to Build a Static Rendering Pile 5 to 6 feet High Cover with wood chip mix If very bloody pour into pile via a created bowl Example Layered Whole Calf Composting 5 to 8 feet Cover with wood chip mix High Minimum 18 cover to retain heat, absorb odor Sawdust/wood chip mix 18 To End 3-6 To Absorptive material layer sawdust/ wood chip mix 18 Course Wood Chips or other Base Material feet wide 18 Course Wood Chips Base Material feet wide Let sit undisturbed for 4-6 month, check to see if carcass is degraded 3

4 Whole Animal Compost Pile Construction Static Pile Building 101 Place on bed of dry carbon material and cover For young animals, layer with a minimum of 2 feet of carbon between layers Lance rumen or other large organs to prevent gas from blowing off cover materials 4 Tons of material accepted first load Placed on bed of woodchips Puncturing of Rumens Rumens must be punctured to prevent explosions and lift-off of bulking agent covering Waste and Chips Pre-mixed Pre-mixing is an optional step. In New Mexico, it probably is a good idea to pre-moisten your wood chips prior to use If Pre-Mixing Mixing- should provide good blend of offal and chips Placement of Mix on Chip Bed Premixed offal and carbon material, heart of pile Note dike edge of chips Bulking agent pad 4

5 Putting Cover Material over Mixed Core Finished Pile Mortality/Butcher Waste Compost Piles, Raton NM Temperature Readings Accepts waste from two facilities once a week (meat processor and wild game processor) Six weeks of material Good Too High Take readings every day and keep good records Digging Into Piles at Raton 10/23/06 Investigation Results Not a necessary step Discovery check to show composting status after 6 weeks +3 foot hole dug to find remains No Rumen, meat, guts or tissue found Typical bone found Note white fungus and breakdown of bone. Very brittle at this point 5

6 Bones Only Remains Found in this hole Elk jaws, leg bones Leg with small amount of fur Three types of fungus found Orange Green Gray Note organic look of bones already, and the bonding between bone and chips. Secondary Biological Breakdown taking place Evidence of Biological Burn The circled area was gray and sooty, as if burned Such evidence of biological activity is commonly found in animal waste composting piles Organs Found in 2 nd Test Hole Tongue Windpipe? Some Mummification of organs or tissues noted Fungus is actively degrading these items Extent of Bone Degradation Note extent of fungus, and large amount of rot in very tough joint Reuse of Compost to Create New Base for Next Pile The remaining bones add structure to the base material for improved aeration Large bone joint of a cow s leg breaks open easily underhand pressure. Lovington Finished Compost The composted material can also be used on hay, corn, winter-wheat, tree plantations and forestland 6

7 Sheep Composting at the Santo Domingo Pueblo 5/07 Sheep Composting at the Santo Domingo Pueblo 11/15/07 Mortality Composting Mike Padilla Butcher Waste Composting Other Mortality Compost Efforts Mike s own vector design Note: How neat and tidy! Mobil Matanzas Training Taos, NM Torrance County Landfill Mortality Site Examples of Diseased Animal Composting Composting & Avian Influenza According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) On-site composting has been proven effective in deactivating avian influenza virus. On-site composting limits the risk of goundwater and air pollution contamination, the potential for farm to farm disease transmission, and transportation costs and tipping fees associated with off-site disposal. Additional benefit of a usable end product. 7

8 Avian Influenza Composting Chicken litter used as compost bulking agent In situ mixed bird composting in Virginia Side by Side Works Best 1200 Calves Composted instead of landfilled Cornell Waste Management Institute Troubleshooting Pile fails to reach temperature. Material is too dense. Not enough air circulation. Rebuild pile with more chunky carbon. To heat, pile needs to be greater than 4 x4 x4. No, This Is Not Africa Insect and animals attracted to pile. Meat waste or animals not covered well. Leachate puddling on pad surface. Cover carcass or residual well with more carbon. Pad should have 1-2% slope and fill holes in to avoid standing water. High pathogens. Need to insure biosecurity at facility. After 4-6 months of composting, turn pile for 2-3 weeks make sure temperatures are between F (40-60 C). Carcass uncovered. May not have lanced rumen or other large organs resulting in carbon being thrown off the pile. Lance large organs before animal is put into pile. Standing water/surface ponding. Inadequate slope. Improper windrow/pile alignment. Depression in high traffic areas. Establish 1-2% slope with proper grading. Improve drainage, add absorbent. Fill and grade. Improper Mortality Composting in Farmington, New Mexico What is Wrong With This Mortality Windrow? Applications available on line at 8

9 Temperature Probe Suppliers Meriden Cooper Corp. Meriden, CT (203) Morgan Scientific, Haverill, MA (508) Omega Engineering Inc. Stanford Ct. (203) Reotemp Instruments, Stong ME, (800) Spectrum Technologies, Plainfield, IL (800) Trend Instruments, Westchester, PA (800) Imagine, and Try! More Information Auralie Ashley-Marx Send registration applications to John Offerson