On Farm Composting Of Large Animal Mortalities

Author : Paige Elizabeth Doklovic
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 0 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (14 download)

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Download or read book Composting as a Method for On-farm Mass Mortality Disposal written by Paige Elizabeth Doklovic and published by . This book was released on 2022 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Three studies were completed to address common challenges related to composting mass animal mortalities. The first study investigated the impact of water-based depopulation foam (WBDF) and straw on composting whole swine carcasses. For trial 1 (148 days), two windrows were constructed, and each was split into two halves: one half including WBDF and the other without. One windrow core consisted of sawdust and carcasses; the other windrow core consisted of sawdust, carcasses, and chopped rye straw. For trial 2 (101 days), two windrows were constructed, both containing WBDF. One windrow core consisted of sawdust and carcasses, whereas the other windrow core consisted of sawdust, carcasses, and wheat straw. Windrows were turned on days 80 and 58 for trials 1 and 2, respectively. Continuous automatic temperatures, weekly handheld temperatures, percent moisture, pH, and totals of Nitrogen, Carbon, organic matter, ash, Phosphorus, and Potassium were measured. Pathogen-destructive temperatures (≥55 °C, ≥131 °F) were achieved in all treatments for both trials. Compacted straw during turning and intact straw at designated trial endpoints was observed. In conclusion, data provided evidence that whole swine carcasses ± WBDF will decompose in a windrow core of sawdust ± straw. The second study investigated the composting efficacy of ground turkey carcasses blended with different amounts of carbon amendment for 50 days. Mechanically ground turkey carcasses were mixed with carbon amendment to achieve four different core compost ratios (weight/weight): 0.25:1; 0.5:1; 0.75:1; and 1:1. Compost mixtures were placed into 208-L (55-gal) reactors that simulated a full-sized windrow. Each reactor had a base and cap of carbon amendment. Continuous automatic temperatures and compost weight, volume, bulk density, porosity, percent moisture, total Nitrogen, and total Carbon were measured. All treatments were able to reach thermophilic temperatures (43-63 °C, 110-150 °F) and effectively decompose carcass tissue. Data indicated that composting ratios evaluated could all be scaled up for future studies. The third study investigated the effects of poultry carcass grinding and core carbon amendment optimization on mortality composting efficiency, in both 208-L (55-gal) reactors and full-sized, outdoor windrows. Four reactors and four windrows were constructed from turkey carcasses and carbon amendment which were passed concurrently through a horizontal grinder according to each of the following carbon:carcass ratios (w/w): 0.25:1, 0.5:1, 0.75:1 and 1:1. A fifth whole carcass windrow was also created. Windrows were each turned three times over a 92-day period; compost within each reactor was mixed three times over a 56-day period. Weekly handheld temperatures, visual observations, and soil samples were collected in the windrow trial. Carbon dioxide emissions and compost weights and volumes were measured in the reactor trial. Continuous automatic temperatures, bulk density, percent moisture, pH, and totals of Nitrogen, Carbon, organic matter, ash, Phosphorus, and Potassium were measured in both trials. Thermophilic composting temperatures were achieved in all treatments of both trials. Additional results indicate physical and chemical similarities across treatments upon completion of composting. In total, data suggested that ground carcasses could fully decompose with as much as a 75 percent reduction in core carbon amendment.