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Animal Mortality and Production Area Guidelines

CNMP Planning Document

USDA-NRCS, Maryland

11/30/2011

The contents of this document are meant to assist qualified planners to develop CNMPs; the information is consistent with NRCS standards to protect or enhance water quality for any Animal Feeding Operation (AFO). The document contains up-to-date animal mortality disposal methodologies and guidelines for poultry and cattle operations as well as useful tips and management considerations for the manure production areas.

Table of ContentsAnimal Mortality Management...............................................................................................3

Composting.............................................................................................................................................3

Dead Poultry Composting – Bins/Channels.........................................................................................3

Dead Poultry Composting – Windrows................................................................................................6

Large Livestock Composting– Windrows.............................................................................................9

Large Livestock Composting– Static Piles...........................................................................................12

Burial*...................................................................................................................................................15

Incineration...........................................................................................................................................15

Incinerators.......................................................................................................................................15

Landfill Disposal.....................................................................................................................................15

County Landfill Information for Maryland.........................................................................................16

Rendering Services*..............................................................................................................................17

Production Area Management Guidelines.............................................................................17

Dairy Operations....................................................................................................................................17

Beef Operations.....................................................................................................................................20

Poultry Operations................................................................................................................................22

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Animal Mortality Management

Composting

Dead Poultry Composting – Bins/Channels

OverviewComposting is the controlled aerobic biological decomposition of organic matter into a stable, humus-like product, called compost. Decomposition is enhanced and accelerated by mixing organic waste with other ingredients in a manner that optimizes microbial growth. Composting mortality can be likened to aboveground burial in a biomass filter where most of the pathogens are killed by high temperatures.

As the microbial population consumes the most readily degradable material and grows in numbers, the temperature of the compost pile begins to rise. Efficient composting requires that the initial compost mix have:

Composition of MaterialsA balance source of energy (carbon) and nutrients (primarily nitrogen), typically with a carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio of 15:1 to 35:1.

Sufficient moisture, typically 40% to 60%. Sufficient oxygen for an aerobic environment. A pH in the range of 6 to 8.

For proper composting, correct proportions of carbon, nitrogen, moisture, and oxygen need to be present in the mix. Common carbon sources are sawdust or wheat straw. It is desirable because of its bulking ability, which allows entry of oxygen. Other carbon sources that could be used are peanut hulls, cottonseed hulls, sawdust, leaves, etc. If lab testing of the litter or experience indicates that the carbon/nitrogen ratio is adequate (20 - 35:1 ratio), then litter alone should be sufficient for composting mortality as long as desirable bulking ability is achieved and moisture is properly managed. Moisture management is critical and must be maintained between 40 and 55 percent (40% -does not leave your hand moist when squeezed, 55% - if more than two drops drip from your hand the material is too moist).

Recipe for composting broiler mortality

INGREDIENT VOLUME WEIGHTSStraw 1.0 0.10Carcasses 1.0 1.0Litter 1.5 1.2Water 0.5 0.75

Compost process The first layer is one foot of litter. A 4-6 inch layer of carbon amendment (sawdust is

preferred) is added according to the recipe A layer of carcasses is added. Carcasses shall be

laid side-by-side and shall not be stacked on top of

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one another. Carcasses placed directly on dirt or concrete floors, or against bin walls will not compost properly.

Water is added (uniform spray). Carcasses are covered with a 6-inch layer of litter. Next layer of carcasses begun with carbon amendment and above steps repeated. When composter is full, cap the 6-inch layer with four additional inches.

Compost MonitoringMaintain the moisture content at 40 to 55 percent during the composting process (40% - does not leave your hand moist when squeezed, 55% will allow about one drop of water to be released when squeezed, > 55% - if more than two drops drip from your hand the material is too moist, therefore add sawdust or dry carbon source).

Temperature is the primary indicator to determine if the composting process is working properly. A minimum temperature of 130 o F shall be reached during the composting process. A temperature of 140

o F is optimum; however, temperatures may range up to 160 o F. If the minimum temperature is not reached, the resulting compost shall be incorporated immediately after land application or recomposted by turning and adding moisture as needed. Compost managed at the required temperatures will favor destruction of any pathogens and weed seeds.

Good carcass compost should heat up to the 140° range within a few days. Failure of the compost material to heat up properly normally results from two causes. First, the nitrogen source is inadequate (example wet or leached litter). A pound of commercial fertilizer spread over a carcass layer will usually solve this problem. Secondly, the compost fails when too much water has been added and the compost pile becomes anaerobic. An anaerobic compost bin is characterized by temperatures less than 120°, offensive odors, and black oozing compound flowing from the bottom of the compost bin. In this case a drier bulking / carbon amendment should be added to dry the mix. Then, the material should be remixed and composted.

It is possible, though unlikely, for the temperature to rise above the normal range and create conditions suitable for spontaneous combustion. If temperature rises above 170° F, the material should be removed from the bin and cooled, spread on the ground to a depth not to exceed six inches in an area away from buildings. Water should be added only if flames occur. If temperature falls significantly during the composting period and odors develop, or if material does not reach operating temperature, investigate piles for moisture content, porosity, and thoroughness of mixing.

After this first stage process, the material should be turned into a second bin and allowed to go through a second heat process. For larger birds, especially turkeys, a third turning may be necessary for complete degradation of the birds. Typically, the process can be considered “done” within 21-28 days from the time the compost is filled for broilers. For turkeys, the process usually requires about 60 days. After the heat process, curing period of one to three months is usually required before the material is stable.

Compost may be land applied after the secondary or tertiary composting. If any animal parts are still in the mix, the material must be incorporated. If immediate application is not possible the material should be stored using the same requirements as that of stored litter in the Stacking Shed O&M statement.

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ManagementInspect compost structure at least twice annually when the structure is empty. Replace any broken or badly worn parts or hardware. Patch concrete floors and curbs as necessary to assure water tightness. Examine roof structures for structural integrity and leaks. Inspections shall be documented on the attached worksheet.

The primary and secondary composters and the litter storage area should be protected from outside sources of water such as rain or surface runoff.

In order to assure desired operation of the composting facility, daily records should be kept during the first several compost batches. This can be helpful in identifying certain problems that may occur.

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Dead Poultry Composting – WindrowsOverviewComposting is the controlled aerobic biological decomposition of organic matter into a stable, humus-like product, called compost. Decomposition is enhanced and accelerated by mixing organic waste with other ingredients in a manner that optimizes microbial growth. Composting mortality can be likened to aboveground burial in a biomass filter where most of the pathogens are killed by high temperatures.

As the microbial population consumes the most readily degradable material and grows in numbers, the temperature of the compost pile begins to rise. Efficient composting requires that the initial compost mix have:

Composition of MaterialsA balance source of energy (carbon) and nutrients (primarily nitrogen), typically with a carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio of 20:1 to 35:1.

Sufficient moisture, typically 40% to 60%. Sufficient oxygen for an aerobic environment. A pH in the range of 6.5 to 7.2.

For proper composting, correct proportions of carbon, nitrogen, moisture, and oxygen need to be present in the mix. Common carbon sources are sawdust or wheat straw. It is desirable because of its bulking ability, which allows entry of oxygen. Other carbon sources that could be used are peanut hulls, cottonseed hulls, sawdust, leaves, etc. If lab testing of the litter or experience indicates that the carbon/nitrogen ratio is adequate (20 - 35:1 ratio), then litter alone should be sufficient for composting mortality as long as desirable bulking ability is achieved and moisture is properly managed. Moisture management is critical and must be maintained between 40 and 60 percent (40% -does not leave your hand moist when squeezed, 60% - if more than two drops drip from your hand the material is too moist).

Assembling the Windrow PileThe most appropriate location for a windrow is the highest point on the identified site. A plastic liner (0.24 in [0.6 cm] thick) of length and width adequate to cover the base dimensions of the windrow (see following dimensions) should be placed on crushed and compacted rock as a moisture barrier, particularly if the water table is high or the site drains poorly. The liner should then be completely covered with a base of co-composting material (such as wood chips, sawdust, dry loose litter, straw, etc). The co-composting material layer should have a thickness of 1 ft for small carcasses. A layer of highly porous, pack-resistant bulking material (such as litter) should then be placed on top of the co-composing material to absorb moisture from the carcasses and to maintain adequate porosity. The thickness of the bulking material should be 0.5 ft for small carcasses.

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An evenly spaced layer of mortalities should then be placed directly on the bulking material layer. In the case of small and medium carcasses, mortalities can be covered with a layer of co-composting materials(thickness of 1 ft [30 cm]), and a second layer of evenly spaced mortalities can be placed on top of theco-composting material. This layering process can be repeated until the windrow reaches a height of approximately 6 ft (1.8 m). Mortalities should not be stacked on top of one another without an appropriate layer of co-composting materials in between. After placing mortalities (or the final layer of mortalities in the case of small and medium carcasses) on the pile, the entire windrow should be covered with a 1-ft (30-cm) thick layer of bio-filter material (such as carbon sources and/or bulking agents). Using this construction procedure, the dimensions of completed windrows will be as follows for the various categories of mortality (note that windrow length would be that which is adequate to accommodate the number of carcasses to be composted):

Small carcasses: bottom width, 12 ft (3.6 m); top width, 5 ft (1.5 m); and height 6 ft (1.8 m)

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For more information see University of Maryland Factsheet 723 (Composting Catastrophic Event Poultry Mortalities)

In the event that a catastrophic mortality occurs, composting in-house is an option for disposal. When composting in-house the following steps should be followed:

1. Raise feeder and drinker lines (Figure 1)2. Mortalities should be pushed to one side of the poultry house to make room for the

composting windrow (Figure 2)

3. Create a litter windrow that is 12 feet wide by 1 foot deep (Figure 3)4. Place the dead birds evenly on top of the litter base (approximately 8 to 10 inches thick or

for larger birds the layer should only be one bird deep) (Figure 4)

5. Spray the carcasses with enough water to wet the feathers, but do not saturate the litter (Figure 5)

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6. Cover the carcasses with 6 to 8 inches of sawdust/litter mix and have a one foot overlap on the sides (Figure 6)

7. Repeat these steps two more time or until the pile is approximately 6 feet tall (if the height of the poultry house prevents a 6 feet high pile, then the length of the pile can be adjusted to accommodate the mortality) (Figure 7)

The windrow should reach 135 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit within a week, but will then begin to decline between 10 to 14 days. Once it reaches 115 to 125 degrees Fahrenheit, the windrow should be turned.

For more information see University of Maryland Factsheet 801 (Guidelines for In-house Composting of Catastrophic Poultry Mortality

Large Livestock Composting– Windrows

The moisture content of the carcass compost pile should be 40-60% (wet basis), and can be testedaccurately using analytical equipment or approximated using a hand-squeeze method. In thehand-squeeze method, a handful of compost material is squeezed firmly several times to form a ball. If the ball crumbles or breaks into fragments, the moisture content is much less than 50%. If it remains intact after being gently bounced 3-4 times, the moisture content is nearly 50%. If the ball texture is slimy with a musty soil-like odor, the moisture content is much higher than 50%.

Carbon sources

Various materials can be used as a carbon source, including materials such as sawdust, straw, corn stover (mature cured stalks of corn with the ears removed and used as feed for livestock), poultry litter, ground corn cobs, baled corn stalks, wheat straw, semi-dried screened manure, hay, shavings, paper, silage, leaves, peat, rice hulls, cotton gin trash, yard wastes, vermiculite, and a variety of waste materials like matured compost.

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Bulking agents

Bulking agents or amendments also provide some nutrients for composting. They usually have bigger particle sizes than carbon sources and thus maintain adequate air spaces (around 25-35% porosity) within the compost pile by preventing packing of materials. Bulking agents typically include materials such as sludge cake, spent horse bedding (a mixture of horse manure and pinewood shavings), wood chips, refused pellets, rotting hay bales, peanut shells, and tree trimmings.

Site selection

Although specific site selection criteria may vary from state to state, a variety of general site characteristics should be considered. A compost site should be located in a well-drained area that is atleast 90 cm (3 ft) above the high water table level, at least 90 m (300 ft) from sensitive water resources(such as streams, ponds, wells, etc.), and that has adequate slope (1-3%) to allow proper drainage andprevent pooling of water. Runoff from the composting facility should be collected and directed away from production facilities and treated through a filter strip or infiltration area. Composting facilitiesshould be located downwind of nearby residences to minimize potential odors or dust being carried toneighboring residences by prevailing winds. The location should have all-weather access to the compost site and to storage for co-composting materials, and should also have minimal interference with other operations and traffic. The site should also allow clearance from underground or overhead utilities.

Windrow PileA plastic liner (0.24 in [0.6 cm] thick) of length and width adequate to cover the base dimensions of the windrow (see following dimensions) should be placed on crushed and compacted rock as a moisture barrier, particularly if the water table is high or the site drains poorly. The liner should then be completely covered with a base of co-composting material (such as wood chips, sawdust, dry loose litter, straw, etc). The co-composting material layer should have a thickness of 1.5 ft for medium carcasses and 2 ft for large and very large carcasses. A layer of highly porous, pack-resistant bulking material (such as litter) should then be placed on top of the co-composing material to absorb moisture from the carcasses and to maintain adequate porosity. The thickness of the bulking material should be 1 ft.An evenly spaced layer of mortalities should then be placed directly on the bulking material layer.For large and very large carcasses, only a single layer of mortality should be placed in the windrow. After placing mortalities on the pile, the entire windrow should be covered with a 1-ft (30-cm) thick layer of bio-filter material (such as carbon sources and/or bulking agents). Using this construction procedure, the dimensions of completed windrows will be as follows for the various categories of mortality (note that windrow length would be that which is adequate to accommodate the number of carcasses to be composted):

Medium carcasses: bottom width, 13 ft (3.9 m); top width, 1 ft (0.3 m); and height 6 ft (1.8 m) Large and very large carcasses: bottom width, 15 ft (4.5 m); top width, 1 ft (0.3 m); and height, 7

ft (2.1 m)

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Monitoring Compost WindrowsA log of temperature, odor, vectors (any unwanted animals), leachate (liquid that comes out of the pile),spills and other unexpected events should be kept as a record of the process. This will allow the composter to see if sufficiently high temperatures were reached and adjust the process if there is any problem. Also, odor can be an issue and compost piles are an easy target for complaints. When there is an odor problem, a compost pile may be blamed and may not be the cause.

Monitoring of the pile is done mostly by checking temperatures. Internal compost pile temperatures affect the rate of decomposition as well as the destruction of pathogenic bacteria, fungi and some seeds. The most efficient temperature range for composting is between 1040F and 1400F (400C and 600C). Compost pile temperatures depend on how much of the heat produced by the microorganisms is lost through aeration or surface cooling. During periods of extremely cold weather, piles may need to be larger than usual to minimize surface cooling. As decomposition slows, temperatures will gradually drop and remain within a few degrees of ambient air temperature. Temperature monitoring is crucial for managing the compost process. Thermometers with a 3-4 foot probe are available.

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Large Livestock Composting– Static Piles

Fact SheetEnvironmental Science and Technology FS-2

Guidelines for Composting Large Animal Mortalities in Maryland*

How composting works: In composting, naturally occurring microorganisms convert unstable organic material—including carcasses—into a stable product (compost) that can be used as a soil amendment. If done correctly, composting is an efficient, bio-secure, and environmentally sound practice. Correct composting mainly involves combining materials with different properties in the correct proportions:

• In mortality composting, carcasses are the primary ingredient and have a high nitrogen content.• The nitrogen in the carcasses must be balanced through the addition of high carbon material

(such as spent silage, sawdust, straw, or old bedding material). Manure alone is not appropriate.• A bulky material with large, firm particles (such as wood chips) is needed to help air reach the

carcasses.

Selecting a composting site: The site used for composting on the farm should be:

• high and dry (avoid wet areas or flood plains; divert water away from pile)• at least 200 ft from streams, ponds, lakes, wells, sink holes, or seasonal seeps• hard enough to tolerate equipment maneuvering (pad constructed from geotextile fabric, rock,

and sand is ideal)• out of direct view of neighbors and motorists (also consider prevailing wind direction)• easily accessible

Building the pile: In mortality composting, compost piles are built in layers in the following steps:

1. Put down a 1 to 2 ft base layer of bulky material (wood chips or mulch are ideal). Make the base layer big enough so that there is at least 2 ft clearance around the carcass. Typical piles are 14 to 16 ft wide. Carcasses that are too close to the edge will not adequately heat.

2. Place animal on top of the base layer using a front-end or skid loader. If adding animals next to, or on top of, carcasses in an existing pile, maintain 2 ft of cover material between carcasses (1 ft for smaller animals). If possible, do not allow carcasses to freeze in the winter. This will greatly slow the composting process.

3. Cover carcasses with at least 2 ft of silage, bedding, or another other high carbon material that is dry and coarse. Mound and shape cover layer so that there is 3 to 4 ft at the center line. This will help shed water from the pile. Make sure no animal parts are exposed anywhere in the pile.Uncovered carcasses will create odors, attract scavengers, and create a bio-security risk.

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* Author: Jennifer Becker; Project Team: Jennifer Becker, Mike Bell, Gary Felton, Stanley Fultz, and Jeff Semler

Maintaining the pile: Maintenance of mortality compost piles primarily involves turning the pile at lengthy intervals. Monitoring the temperature with a long-stem thermometer is also recommended.

• The temperature of the pile should be monitored (at least weekly) to ensure that:o it is heating up rapidly (indicating good pile construction)o temperatures are high enough to destroy disease-causing organisms (at least 131ºF)

• After 6 months and reaching 131ºF, turn and lift pile using a loader. Material must be thoroughly mixed. No flesh should be present, but large bones and some hide may be visible.

• Form a new pile with the turned compost and cap with 1 ft of cover material (aged mortality compost or wood chips/mulch) to control odors. Allow pile to age for 6 months. Reheating should occur, although it may take longer and temperatures will be lower than in first pile.

Use of finished compost: After aging, the mortality compost should be stable and free of offensive odors. Large bones will be present but should be fairly brittle. The finished material can be used again to compost new carcasses or land-applied on the farm, according to the following guidelines:

• Use finished mortality compost to create the base layer of new mortality compost piles to reduce the amount of bulky material that has to be brought on to the farm. Bones are especially useful because they provide structure. Finished compost can also be mixed with fresh high carbon material at a 50:50 ratio (by volume) and used as a cover material during new pile construction.

• Finished mortality compost that is not recycled in the composting operation can be land-applied.

o In Maryland, mortality compost can be land-applied only on the farm where it was generated.

o Do not apply mortality compost to crops that are directly consumed by people. Application on hay, corn, winter wheat, tree plantations, and forestland is appropriate.

o Land applied mortality compost must be included in the farm's nutrient management plan.

o It is advisable to remove (or break up) skulls and other large bones before land-applying compost, particularly if the fields are visible or accessible to neighbors, motorists, children, and/or pets. Large bone fragments can also puncture equipment tires.

o If the farm operation does not include fields where compost can be land-applied, compost can be taken to a certified composting operation.

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Material and equipment requirements: Most of the materials and equipment needed in mortality composting are found readily on dairy operations and other farms. However, it may be necessary to bring additional cover/base material on the farm. Plan ahead to identify sources of the following materials for routine and catastrophic mortalities:

• Cover/base material: About 12 cubic yards of cover material is needed per 1000 lb animal composted. This translates to approximately 1 ton of ground hay or straw, 1.4 tons of ground cornstalks, or 3.2 tons of corn silage.

• Thermometer: A probe-type thermometer with a long-stem is needed to monitor the pile temperature. It is also a good idea to log the measured temperatures in a dedicated log book.

• Front-end or skid steer loader• Manure spreader•

Caution: Any animal that is suspected of having bovine spongiform encephalitis (BSE or mad cow disease) or related neurological diseases should not be composted. Report these animals to authorities.

The University of Maryland is equal opportunity. The University’s policies, programs, and activities are in conformance with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations regarding race color, religion, national origin, sex, and disability. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended: Title IX of the Educational Amendments; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990; or related legal requirements should be directed to the Director of Personnel/Human Relations, Office of the Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Symons Hall, College Park, MD 20742.

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Burial*

*Burial as an animal mortality management practice should be reserved for catastrophic animal losses with proper guidance directed by county and state agencies.

Incineration

Incinerators

Incinerating dead poultry and small animals is biologically the safest method. On the other hand, it can be slow, requires fuel and expensive equipment, and can generate nuisance complaints from particulate air pollution and odors, even when highly efficient incinerators are used. Incineration requires an air pollution permit from the Maryland Department of the Environment.

The producer has to obtain and air quality permit from Maryland Department of the Environment. There is a fee to use an incinerator as a method of mortality disposal. The fee is based on the size of the incinerator. For animal facilities proposing an incinerator for dead animal disposal, a permit for the air emissions needs to be obtained from the Department's Bureau of Air Quality before the incinerator can be built.

Incinerators used for dead animal disposal shall be properly operated and maintained. Operation shall be as specified in the owner's manual provided with the incinerator. The owner's manual shall be kept on site and made available to Department personnel upon request.

The use of the incinerator to dispose of waste oil, hazardous, or any other waste chemical is prohibited.

The use of the incinerator shall be limited to dead animal disposal only unless otherwise approved by the Maryland Department of the Environment.

Incinerators shall be operated in such a manner as is necessary to prevent the emission of objectionable odors.

The incinerator shall have yearly maintenance performed, as necessary. Replace firebricks and scrape and repaint metal components, particularly the fluestock, with heat resistant outdoor paint.

Landfill DisposalCounty disposal facilities only accept animal carcasses from their respective counties (with the exception of the mid-Shore counties) and required a driver’s license for verification. The operator must call the landfill administration at least an hour before the planned drop-off for instructions on how to deliver the carcass and also if they will accept it.

Currently, some waste management provisions allow animal mortalities resulting from natural causes or disease provided the facility receives the county Health Officer’s approval order prior to delivery.

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County Landfill Information for MarylandCounty Disposal

FacilityPhone

NumberFarm Animal

CarcassesCause for Mortality

NaturalCauses

Disease related

Allegany Mountainview Landfill 301.463.3373 Yes Yes

May need to contact local vet or county Health Officer

Anne Arundel Millersville Landfill 410.222.6177 No ---- ----

Baltimore Eastern Sanitary Landfill 410.887.8695 Yes Yes No

Cecil Central Landfill 410.996.6275 No ---- ----

Calvert Appeal Landfill 410.326.0210 Yes YesYes – Contact

landfill for information

Carroll Northern Landfill 410.386.4550 Yes Yes No

Charles Charles Co. Landfill 301.932.9038 No ---- ----

Frederick Frederick Co. Landfill

301.600.1848 Yes Yes Contact Landfill

Garrett Garrett Co. Landfill 301.387.0322 Yes Yes Contact

LandfillHarford Scarboro Landfill 410.638.3637 Yes Yes No

Howard Alpha Ridge Landfill 410.313.6444 No ---- ----

Mid-Shore Regional Landfill (Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Caroline, Kent)

Maryland Environmental

Service – call for location

410.729.8200 Yes Yes

Contact Landfill and

County Health Officer

Montgomery None ---- ---- ---- ----

Prince Georges Brown Station Road Landfill 301.952.7625 No ---- ----

St. Mary’s ----Contact

Calvert Co. Landfill

---- ---- ----

Washington Washington Co. Landfill 435.673.2813 Yes Yes No

Wicomico Newland Park Landfill 410.548.4935 No ---- ----

Worcester Central Landfill 410.632.3177 No ---- ----

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Rendering Services*

*Currently, the only available carcass disposal services in Maryland are Valley Proteins, 1-800-332-3269 and Kohout disposal from Hartley DE 302-492-3378. Valley Proteins will only process, via pick-up or drop off, horses, swine and llamas. Valley Proteins does not accept bovine carcasses. Kohout disposal provides pick-up of any dead and/or disabled animals from most of the Eastern Shore counties.

PrinciplesRendering of animal mortalities involves conversion of carcasses into three end products—namely, carcass meal (proteinaceous solids), melted fat or tallow, and water—using mechanical processes (e.g., grinding, mixing, pressing, decanting and separating), thermal processes (e.g., cooking, evaporating, and drying), and sometimes chemical processes (e.g., solvent extraction). The main carcass rendering processes include size reduction followed by cooking and separation of fat, water, and protein materials using techniques such as screening, pressing, sequential centrifugation, solvent extraction, and drying.

Mortality and BiosecurityIn an outbreak of disease such as foot and mouth disease, transport and travel restrictions may make it impossible for rendering plants to obtain material from traditional sources within a quarantine area.Additionally, animals killed as a result of a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, might not be accessible before they decompose to the point that they cannot be transported to a rendering facility and have to be disposed of on-site.

HandlingAnimal mortalities should be collected and transferred in a hygienically safe manner according to the rules and regulations of TDH (2000). Because raw materials in an advanced stage of decay result in poor-quality end products, CARCASSES SHOULD BE PROCESSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE; if storage prior to rendering is necessary, carcasses should be refrigerated or otherwise preserved to retard decay. The cooking step of the rendering process kills most bacteria, but does not eliminate endotoxins produced by some bacteria during the decay of carcass tissue. These toxins can cause disease, and pet food manufacturers do not test their products for endotoxins.

Production Area Management Guidelines

Dairy OperationsTo provide environmental benefits, conservation practices must be operated and maintained as designed. The following list describes some common problems to look for in the production area of dairy operations. It is VERY IMPORTANT that the production area (manure storage, HUA pads, etc.) be kept clean and free from ANY manure that could come in contact with surface water.

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Soil Conservation District staff are available to provide follow-up assistance if needed.

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Concrete Manure Pits

1. Fencing/gates shall be maintained around the structure to exclude animals and humans at all times.

2. If using a skid-loader and ramp to push manure into the pit be sure to inspect and maintain the safety bar at the end of the ramp. Inspect and maintain the ramp for cracks or any sign of deterioration.

3. Safety equipment (life buoys, ropes) and warning signs shall be maintained and checked periodically for wear.

4. The maximum operating level in the facility shall not surpass the freeboard marker. When this elevation is reached, pump-out should commence as long as soil conditions exist that will allow for infiltration of the manure liquids. The elevation at which pump-out is to occur shall be marked with a post or other suitable device.

5. The integrity of the concrete wall shall be inspected for deterioration, cracks and holes. If a deficiency in the wall is discovered contact the local NRCS technical support staff for assistance.

Dry Stack Storage Structures

1. Bedding used in heifer barns and calf barns/hutches is considered solid or semi-solid manure and thus must be handled differently than liquid manure. Storage areas and the manure must be kept away from contact with surface water and should be kept covered. When cleaning out pens or stalls and transferring the bedding pack to storage be sure to remove any incidental spills between the barn and storage.

2. If bedding is stored in pens until cleanout and application then clean up any incidental spills when loading the manure.

3. Check storage structure for leaks or damage to side-walls. 4. If manure starts to become non stackable during periods of high rainfall, additional dry matter,

such as straw, additional bedding material, waste hay, etc. may need to be added to the manure in order to keep the manure stackable, and to prevent the manure from leaking out of the storage structure.

5. Be sure that water is diverted away from the structure and swales are present around the sides to prevent water from seeping in.

6. The floor of the structure should be a hard, dry surface like concrete or compacted stone .

Manure Sump Management and Operation

Gases produced in manure pits and sumps can reach lethal concentrations. It is therefore essential to take all reasonable precautions to avoid contact with these gases.

1. A lid or cover over the sump access opening should be in place at all times to prevent accidental entry.

2. At least two persons shall be present when work involving the sump is to be done. One person shall act as observer and remain outside the sump at all times.

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3. Do not enter manure sump without wearing an approved, correctly fitted, self-contained breathing apparatus. In addition, a safety harness and lifeline should be used.

Concrete Pads

Concrete pads in production areas and around manure storage structures can reduce erosion and protect surface and ground water from contamination. Concrete pads should be properly installed, maintained and scraped of manure daily. Concrete pads installed for utilization activities other than a feed lot, such as solids separation must be properly maintained for their intended use.

The following are potential problems you may see:

Manure present on pads. Obvious surface water conveyance to a drainage ditch or swale near manure storage structures Concrete cracking or breaking off.

Feed Storage

Upright, earthen and bunker silos are not always thought to have runoff concerns associated with them. Feed storage areas and any structures should be inspected, properly maintained and kept clean of feed debris or waste.

The following are potential problems you may encounter:

Cracks in the concrete walls and floors; deterioration Seepage of silage liquid at seams in the walls Obvious surface water conveyance to a drainage ditch or swale near feed storage structures Feed piled or sitting outside the bunker susceptible to encountering runoff

Proper and Maintained Vegetation around Production Area

It is very important to have good grass cover around the farm buildings. Well established grasses also prevent soil erosion which in severe cases could result in damage to the building pad or the footing and foundation of the barn, feed structure or manure structure. Grass also helps reduce reflected heat which in turn helps keep temperatures under control in hot weather. Grass should always be kept mowed and weeds should also be kept under control. Not only are un-mowed weeds and grass unsightly, but they can encourage rodents and can also reduce the effectiveness of natural ventilation. Tall weeds and grass provide rats and mice a place to hide that is close to the building. Most rodent control programs will stress the need to keep areas around buildings mowed frequently.

Standing puddles of water encourage mosquitoes and kill vegetation, so low spots should be filled to prevent such problems. Also, drainage ditches, drainage ways, and swales should be properly mowed and maintained to give storm water an easy exit. Any trash and debris should be removed from ditches and grass and weeds kept short to encourage water flow.

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Other Concerns

Other issues that may result in environmental concerns include, but are not limited to:

Manure scattered around the production area on roads, along the edge of concrete pads or building foundations.

Manure runoff visible. Roof runoff that is creating erosion or drainage problems. Lack of good vegetative cover for filtering storm runoff between waste storage structures,

composters, or ends of the poultry houses, and drainage outlets. Overall farm appearance (a farm that “looks good” is less likely to generate complaints from

neighbors). Potholes in travelways or standing water in swales. Maintenance of stormwater management structures or ponds.

Beef OperationsTo provide environmental benefits, conservation practices must be operated and maintained as designed. The following list describes some common problems to look for in the production area of dairy operations. It is VERY IMPORTANT that the production area (manure storage, HUA pads, etc.) be kept clean and free from ANY manure that could come in contact with surface water.


Dry Stack Storage Structures

Bedding used in heifer barns and calf barns/hutches is considered solid or semi-solid manure and thus must be handled differently than liquid manure. Storage areas and the manure must be kept away from contact with surface water and should be kept covered.

1. When cleaning out pens or stalls and transferring the bedding pack to storage be sure to remove any incidental spills between the barn and storage.

2. If bedding is stored in pens until cleanout and application then clean up any incidental spills when loading the manure.

3. If manure starts to become non stackable during periods of high rainfall, additional dry matter, such as straw, additional bedding material, waste hay, etc. may need to be added to the manure in order to keep the manure stackable, and to prevent the manure from leaking out of the storage structure.

4. Check storage structure for leaks or damage to side-walls. 5. Be sure that water is diverted away from the structure and swales are present around the sides

to prevent water from seeping in. 6. The floor of the structure should be a hard, dry surface like concrete or compacted stone .

Livestock Feeding Areas –Pastures

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Any area where livestock are fed and maintained should be considered a manure production area. This includes pastures where feeders and watering facilities are located causing high traffic, denuded vegetation and a build-up of waste feed and manure. Pastures are sometimes used as feeding areas during certain periods of the year: winter months, dry or wet conditions that make foraging unfavorable. It is important to be mindful of resource concerns, including the following:

Streams or watercourses flowing through or nearby the production area. Make sure stormwater is not creating channelized runoff leading to waterways. Animals must be prevented from having direct contact with waters of the US. Manure stockpiled in the field is defined as a production area. Any manure and feed scraped up

and stockpiled in the field should not be discharging to any surface water. Proximity to waterways, ditches, and any surface water must be considered during placement of such piles.

Proper field and site selection for a winter feeding area is also important. Fields or pastures that have soils which are very poorly drained, poorly drained and somewhat poorly drained should be avoided. It is not recommended to feed in low spots where water can gather, adjacent to bodies of water or streams and on steep slopes. The following guidelines will help select the most desirable spot to feed livestock:

Fields with well drained soils Elevated parts of the field where water will flow away from If available, select field sites that a large enough to allow room for shifting the feeding area to

several different locations

Proper and Maintained Vegetation around Production Area

It is very important to have good grass cover around the farm buildings. Well established grasses also prevent soil erosion which in severe cases could result in damage to the building pad or the footing and foundation of the barn, feed structure or manure structure. Grass also helps reduce reflected heat which in turn helps keep temperatures under control in hot weather. Grass should always be kept mowed and weeds should also be kept under control. Not only are un-mowed weeds and grass unsightly, but they can encourage rodents and can also reduce the effectiveness of natural ventilation. Tall weeds and grass provide rats and mice a place to hide that is close to the building. Most rodent control programs will stress the need to keep areas around buildings mowed frequently.


Other Concerns

Other issues that may result in environmental concerns include, but are not limited to:

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Manure runoff visible. Roof runoff that is creating erosion and drainage problems, or washing manure off of production

areas into nearby surface waters Lack of good vegetative cover for filtering storm runoff between waste storage structures,


neighbors). Potholes in travelways or standing water in swales. Maintenance of stormwater management structures or ponds.

Poultry OperationsTo provide environmental benefits, conservation practices must be operated and maintained as designed. The following list describes some common problems to look for in the production area of poultry operations. It is VERY IMPORTANT that the production area (manure storage, composters, HUA pads, etc.) be kept clean and free from ANY manure that could come in contact with surface water.


Manure Storage AreaManure removed from poultry houses should be stored in a covered shed until it can be applied to crops or otherwise used. The following are potential problems you may see that MUST be addressed to keep clean water on your farm, clean:

Manure piled outside shed. Manure stacked too high against walls. Shed contains equipment or supplies that are not easily moveable (e.g., not on wheels). Obvious surface water conveyance near the open ends of the shed to a drainage ditch or swale. Structural damage to shed. Evidence of water or “puddling” in the storage shed.

CompostersProperly operated composters provide an environmentally sound method for disposing of normal mortality from poultry houses.


Leakage. Excessive odor or flies. Dead birds visible. Evidence of animals feeding on dead birds.

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Thermometer not readily available (DE only). Recipe sign not posted (DE only). Missing or broken boards. Misuse and nonuse. Composter should be used for what it was intended for.

Be sure that the composter’s design capacity is adequate for the flock mortality rate. Compost bins built 5, 10 or 20 years ago were sized based on smaller average bird sizes. While mortality rates may have dropped the size of the dead birds has increased significantly for some poultry breeds. Consult the Conservation Practice Job Sheet for figures, sizing and operation and maintenance guidelines.

Concrete PadsConcrete pads at the ends of poultry houses and manure sheds can reduce erosion and protect surface and ground water from contamination. Concrete pads should be properly installed, maintained, and kept clean of manure.


Manure present on pads. Obvious surface water conveyance to a drainage ditch or swale near the open ends of poultry

houses and manure sheds. Concrete cracking or breaking off.

Proper and Maintained Vegetation Around Production Area and Between HousesIt is very important to have good grass cover around the farm buildings and between the poultry houses. Well established grasses also prevent soil erosion which in severe cases could result in damage to the house pad or the footing and foundation of the poultry house. Grass also helps reduce reflected heat which in turn helps keep house temperatures under control in hot weather. Grass should always be kept mowed and weeds should also be kept under control. Not only are un-mowed weeds and grass unsightly, but they can encourage rodents and can also reduce the effectiveness of natural ventilation. Tall weeds and grass provide rats and mice a place to hide that is close to the building. Most rodent control programs will stress the need to keep areas around buildings mowed frequently.


Windbreaks and HedgerowsWindbreaks, hedgerows, or vegetative environmental buffers, are planted around poultry houses to provide shelter from winter winds; reduce particulates, ammonia, and other odors from tunnel fans; create visual screens; and provide shade to reduce extreme summer heat.

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Trees dead, dying, or damaged (e.g., broken off, mowed over, bagworms, etc.). Lack of weed control around trees or insect control. Irrigation system not functioning (e.g., major leaks, broken lines, etc.). No irrigation system (newly established trees should be irrigated for the first 2-3 years).

Other ConcernsOther issues that may result in environmental concerns include, but are not limited to:


Manure runoff visible. Roof runoff that is creating erosion or drainage problems. Lack of good vegetative cover for filtering storm runoff between waste storage structures,


neighbors). Potholes in travelways or standing water in swales, near exhaust fans. Maintenance of stormwater management structures or ponds.

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Animal Mortality and Production Area Guidelines · Web viewUSDA-Natural resources conservation...

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Transcript of Animal Mortality and Production Area Guidelines · Web viewUSDA-Natural resources conservation...