To Compost Well - prepare and observe

When composting mortality having the right conditions will ensure a good result. Remember to start with a good base of carbon bearing materials in the bottom of the bin. Wet birds to help hasten the process and then cover completely to keep other animals out of the composter. Monitor composting using a composting thermometer in order to tell when compost needs further attention or to pull and spread. For best results compost at 45-50% moisture with temps over 110^o F.

Be sure to have adequate materials at hand to compost, so to be at the ready for when its necessary to handle mortality on the farm.

Making Composting Work on the Farm

In light of the recent specific restricted materials (SRM) requirements being placed on rendering plants, some may opt out of taking your livestock for processing. Because of this it is always important to have a mortality handling plan for the farm. If you are new to mortality composting there is help available to you. The key thing to remember is the Rule of 2's. Two feet of good sized carbon materials followed by two feet of covering materials over the animal. Above ground composting IMHO is the best way for all livestock owners to care for their on farm mortality. For more info and particular guidance see: http://composting.cas.psu.edu/NatRendering.htm

Taking Time To Think Ahead

Americans are a bit fickle. They eat huge meals and wash it down with diet soft drinks. Think nothing of drinking bottle water, when nothing was wrong with what was coming out of the tap.

As time goes on we forget the sins we create with policy. Recent FDA actions to stop rendering larger cows and removing spinal tissues from all animal feeds has caused the cost of doing business to go up in price. The price of horses has dropped dramatically and the cost of rendering has increased to the point where the care and husbandry towards horses has actually decreased.

So for this group, we need to help them to either compost their animals or look for other available methods of approved disposal. Just ignoring the subject will not cut it as some will avoid the pickup fee and drag carcasses to the back of the field. Not my first choice in carcass disposal.

Whether we choose to limit antibiotics use or meat consumption, or condos in our neighborhoods, we need to think ahead of what hardships this may cause the general public. As the costs of production rise - guess what, the price of purchases will also increase. Sensible minds need to prevail.