NEWARK, Ohio — The Seneca, Crawford and Wyandot Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Natural Resources Conservation Service and OSU Extension will hold a livestock mortality composting workshop Jan. 18 from 7-9 p.m. at Wyandot County Recycling Center, 11385 County Highway 4, Carey, Ohio.
Importance
The livestock industry is faced with discovering innovative and economical ways to dispose of mortality losses. This need has been brought on by the disappearance of rendering plants, concerns over potential ground water pollution from burial and the economic and environmental issues of incineration.
Composting of dead animals is an option that is available to all livestock producers but producer need to obtain a certification by attended a training session.
Composting is a natural process in which the livestock carcass is bio-degraded by bacteria to avoid pollution of air and water. The process of composting dead animals allows bacteria and fungi to decompose the animal carcasses in an aerobic environment.
Result
By providing oxygen to this environment, the microbes are able to decompose the animal without the production of objectionable odors and gasses. When done properly, composting destroys disease causing bacteria or viruses and reduces problems associated with flies, vermin, and scavenging animals at the composting site.
Glen Arnold, OSU Extension Putnam County will be the presenter.
Those interested should RSVP by Jan. 13. Cost of the composting workshop $15.
For more information contact Kendall Stucky, Seneca Soil and Water at 419-447-7073; Mike Hall, Crawford Soil and Water at 419-562-8280; or Bill Clinger, Wyandot Soil and Water at 419-294-2311.
