DARKE COUNTY – Poultry, dairy, swine, beef cattle and other livestock producers wanting to learn economically and environmentally beneficial ways to handle the death of their animals can earn livestock mortality composting certification through a course offered by experts from Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
Livestock producers all have to deal with animal mortality at some point on their farms whether the death is the result of illness, old age, natural disasters or birthing problems. While producers can choose any one of four state-approved methods for disposing of dead livestock in Ohio, composting is the most cost-effective because it can be done onsite with little effort or supplies.
The other legal options to handle livestock mortality include incineration, burial and rendering.
Composting livestock mortality is one of the most economical options when you consider the issue from a standpoint that it is an issue that a producer can face 365 days a year. While it is legal to incinerate livestock mortality, send the animal to a rendering facility or bury the animal, digging to the proper burial depth required by law is hard to do in winter months with frozen ground, for example.
Certification is required by law if producers want to use composting as a method to deal with livestock and poultry mortality in animals that naturally die or have to be euthanized. Ohio requires producers attend a mortality composting training session conducted by OSU Extension.
The workshop begins at 6 p.m. February 10, at the Anderson Marathon Ethanol, 5728 Sebring Warner Road, Greenville. Registration is $10, which includes a workbook and certificate.
Please download the registration flyer at http://go.osu.edu/livestockcomposting.
Participants will learn:
* The principles and operations of livestock mortality composting.
* Selecting a good site.
* Design options.
* Managing the compost facility.
* Biosecurity and disease prevention.
* Rule and regulations.
* Troubleshooting, which includes a review of the basic principles and management of livestock mortality composting.
Participants will also receive a manual which outlines the processes, procedures, rules and regulations regarding livestock mortality composting. For more information contact Sam Custer at [email protected].
For more detailed information, visit the Darke County OSU Extension website at www.darke.osu.edu, the OSU Extension Darke County Facebook page or contact Sam Custer, at 937-548-5215.