On-Farm Mortality Composting Research and Education Project

Transcription

1 On-Farm Mortality Composting Research and Education Project Organic BIOAg Caitlin Price Sustainable

2 For commercial livestock producers, sustainable options for routine mortality disposal are limited by cost and concerns for environmental and biosecurity issues. Farm Mortality Rangeland Composting Burial Rendering

3 With careful management and the right materials, composting can be an economically viable and environmentally sound method of mortality disposal. Potential Advantages: Reduced costs of mortality disposal Useable end-product, keep nutrients on the farm Reduced pathogens, pests Immediate disposal year around Potential Challenges: Requires careful management Dedicated area Time

4 Composting is a controlled aerobic decomposition process. Microorganisms convert the carcass and co-composting materials into stable and nutrient rich organic matter. Raw Materials Organic Matter Water Microbes H 2 O(g) Heat CO 2 Finished Compost Stable Organic Matter Water Microbes microbes O 2

5 Oxygen is essential for aerobic composting Aerobic microbes are the most efficient Anaerobic microbes produce compounds that smell bad Oxygen management: Moisture Particle size and porosity Turning, mixing Oxygen

6 Nutrients and Moisture Compost microbes require the proper balance of carbon, nitrogen and water for efficient decomposition: 1) Carbon from straw, wood chips, sawdust, old feed, silage, etc. 2) Nitrogen from manure, carcass 3) Water is necessary for microbial metabolism and organic matter decomposition The optimum carbon to nitrogen ratio (C:N) is 25:1 to 40:1 Optimum moisture content is 50-60%

7 Temperature Pathogen reduction in compost is largely due to the high temperatures caused by microbial metabolism. The minimum internal temperature necessary for pathogen reduction in a static pile is 131 o F for at least three days. A well managed mortality compost pile can easily reach o F w/in 1 week. Best measurement of success

8 Find a good location away from any ground water, neighbors, or other animals. Make sure there is adequate drainage. (1) Start with a 2-3 ft base of high Carbon, absorbent material. (2) Add the carcass in the middle. Be sure there is at least 2 ft of the base material on each side. (3) Cover with another 2-3 ft of material. This is very important! If there is not enough material covering the carcass it will smell bad, attract pests, and take longer to break down. [10 15 feet] ON-FARM MORTALITY COMPOSTING RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROJECT

9 Windrow Layout for Large Animal Mortality Composting ft Windrows should run up and down the slope to allow for best drainage. Do not drive over the materials. Compaction will restrict Oxygen availability in the pile. Add each mortality to the pile as they occur and note the date and location. Calves can be stacked together, or placed with a cow. 20 ft to the next set (or enough space to maneuver loader) Leave 2 ft for airflow and equipment ON-FARM MORTALITY COMPOSTING RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROJECT

10 Monitoring the Process Temperature (1 x week) is the best measurement of success Moisture may vary seasonally Odors usually caused by anaerobic conditions, leachate, or not enough coverage Pests are difficult to get rid of

11 The Project Phase 1: Conducted farm trials of large animal mortality composting at 7 sites across the state. Sunnyside, Moses Lake, Othello, Pullman, Skagit Co. Developed simplified guidelines specific to Washington producers, and an informational website Hosted field days and demonstrations at trial sites Worked with Department of Ecology to evaluate state guidelines on mortality composting

12 The Project Phase 2: Continue trials at WSU compost facility Sow, horse, 3 cows, offal and meat processing waste Publish a WSU Extension Bulletin Continue to host demonstrations at trial sites Provide information for classes, industry events and seminars

13 Yakima County Dairy Primary Materials are feed refusals and silage, with a small amount of straw Covered with a thin layer of dry manure

14 Yakima County Dairy Primary composting phase lasts days Temperatures peak between 135 and 145 o F

15 Yakima County Dairy Second Trial Mixture of feed refusals and silage as primary materials Covered with wet manure Larger pile size

16 Skagit County Dairy

17 Skagit County Dairy Primary composting materials: sawdust with manure, spoiled silage and hay Minimal management system

18 WSU Trial #1 Cow on base of wood chips and straw Covered with manure and straw Topped off with a layer of separated dairy solids

19 WSU Trial #1 10 weeks later

20 WSU Trial #2 at 7 weeks Pile started with 1 cow Offal and processing waste from 10 pigs and 5 cows was added at 3 wks Peak temperatures of 145 to 160 o F

21 WSU Trial #2 at 7 weeks

22 With careful management and the right materials, composting can be an economically viable and environmentally sound method of mortality disposal.