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Composting mortalities has advantages

William Halfman and Carolyn Ihde University of Wisconsin
Jun 25, 2024
Jun 25, 2024

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A lot of factors affect where to start a compost piles for mortalities on the farm.

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The graphic depicts a completed pile for composting multiple mortalities.

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There is a step-by-step process for constructing a composting pile.

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One option is a low-cost multiple bin setup using large bales.

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William Halfman and Carolyn Ihde University of Wisconsin

On-farm composting is an approved method to dispose of livestock mortalities. Advantages include increased biosecurity, timely disposal of mortalities, reduced risk of environmental contamination, reduced cost and relatively simplicity. Composting can be used for occasional mortality, emergency livestock mass casualties and disease outbreaks.

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Bill Halfman is a beef outreach specialist with the University of Wisconsin-Division of Extension. Email

william.halfman@wisc.edu to reach him.

Carolyn Ihde is a small-ruminant outreach specialist with UW-Division of Extension. Email carolyn.ihde@wisc.edu to reach her.

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