Ranchers are often faced with on-the-farm mortality of farm animals. Regardless of the type of ranch or animals raised, death loss does happen and proper disposal is required by law.

Improper disposal is not acceptable. It certainly shows poor stewardship of the land and resources. There’s a risk of contamination of both ground and surface water as well as health issues for both humans and animals. When improper disposal occurs, it often results in complaints and violations to established regulations.

Proper disposal options include the use of rendering, landfills, burial, incineration and composting. Ranch managers should have a disposal plan in place.

•Composting of large animal carcasses is possible. Proper methods of composting will be discussed later in this article.

•Rendering has been an option used by most but in recent years the rendering option is limited. Finding a rendering company that collects carcasses is often not possible.

•Ranchers may want to check with the local landfill to confirm whether they will accept a large carcass.

•Burial is used on many operations. The following guidelines are recommended and should be followed.

•A mass burial site will need to be pre-approved.

•If an occasional carcass must be buried, a site away from ditches, streams, roads and residences should be used.

•Animals in the burial site should be covered with three feet of soil.

•Incineration is a valid option but large carcasses will require lots of fuel to completely dispose of the carcass. Fuel used is normally of a wood source. In Kansas there is no law that limits open incineration of a carcass.

The composting process is caused by anaerobic and aerobic activity. It requires heat, carbon, nitrogen, air and moisture. Many homeowners have a composting pile to discard leaves, twigs, table scraps and other debris. The same principles apply to animal composting but on a larger scale. Carbon can be supplied by wood chips or hay. Mixing in litter (manure) will provide the nitrogen source and additional carbon. A 50/50 mixture is recommended. Wood chips contain more carbon and are preferred. Moisture can be added by using pond water. Air will be present within the mixture of the other products. Temperature is extremely important for the composting to occur. Recommended temperatures are from 130 to 140 degrees F. Gauges can be purchased for precise measurement of heat. The composting area should be confined by a fence or other materials to limit access of other farm animals.

Information on animal disposal and composting procedures can be obtained at the Cherokee County Extension office.