EB2031E

on-farm composting of
large animal mortalities
WA S H I N G T O N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y E X T E N S I O N
 Table of Contents

Introduction............................................................................................................... 3

Regulations................................................................................................................. 3

Equipment................................................................................................................. 3

Compost Materials..................................................................................................... 4

Location and Method................................................................................................ 5

Management.............................................................................................................. 8

The Final Product....................................................................................................... 9

References.................................................................................................................. 9

Illustrations
Photo 1. Single mortality compost pile..................................................................... 4

Photo 2. Compost windrow, Yakima County............................................................ 5

Photo 3. Compost windrow, Grant County.............................................................. 5

Figure 1. Building a Compost Pile for Large Animal Mortalities............................... 6

Figure 2. Windrow Layout for Large Animal Mortality Composting........................ 7

Photo 4. Base for compost windrows, Adams County.............................................. 7

Photo 5. Measuring internal pile temperature.......................................................... 8

Photo 6. Cow hip bone after four months of composting........................................ 8

Photo 7. Large bone after ten weeks of composting................................................. 8

Photo 8. Finished compost........................................................................................ 9

All photos were taken by Caitlin Price and Betty Matin.

 On-farm Composting of Large Animal Mortalities
Caitlin Price and Lynne Carpenter-Boggs

Introduction Equipment

With proper management and materials, The basic tools needed for on-farm compost-
on-farm composting is an economical and ing of mortalities are:
environmentally sound method of routine
1. Front-end loader for moving materials and
or catastrophic mortality disposal. Compost-
carcasses, and for turning compost piles.
ing allows for immediate, year-round carcass
disposal with minimal costs and equipment. 2. Logbook to record amount and type of
Composting also protects surface and ground- compost materials, carcass weights, in-
water, reduces pathogens, and keeps valuable ternal pile temperatures, dates that piles
nutrients on the farm. are built and turned, and other important
observations.
Composting is a biological process: aerobic
3. Probe-type thermometer with a three-foot
microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) convert
stainless steel stem to monitor internal
raw organic waste into stable, nutrient-rich
pile temperatures.
organic matter. In large numbers, these
microorganisms produce enough meta-
bolic heat to increase temperatures inside
the compost pile and kill pathogenic bac- Sources for Compost
teria and viruses. The basic requirements Temperature Probes
are organic raw materials (manure, straw,
sawdust, etc.), a dedicated area, and careful A thermometer is the most important
management. tool for monitoring compost piles,
and can be either a digital or dial type.
This bulletin contains the basic information The following companies manufacture
needed to start a successful on-farm mortality thermometers that are designed for
composting operation for large animals. The use in compost piles. We provide this
same principles also apply to smaller animals information for your convenience and
(poultry, swine, etc.), but the time and materi- are not endorsing any company or
als required will be less. manufacturer.

Regulations 1. REOTEMP Instrument Corporation

Phone: (800) 648-7737
State requirements for permitting and re- Web: www.reotemp.com
porting on-farm mortality composting vary
depending on the size of operation and use of 2. Wika Instrument Corporation USA
the final product. Most on-farm composting Phone: (888) WIKA-USA
operations will be exempt from permitting, Web: www.wika.com
but check first! Contact the Washington State
Department of Ecology or Department of Ag-
3. Tel-Tru Manufacturing Company
riculture for more information. Department
Phone: (585) 232-1440
of Ecology guidelines for on-farm mortality
Web: www.teltru.com
composting are available online at http://
www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0507034.html.

3
 layered to provide the best overall condi-
tions and nutrient balance for the pile. Ap-
proximately ten to twelve cubic yards of raw
material is needed to compost a full-size cow.
When choosing materials, it is important to
consider nutrient content, moisture content,
and structure.

The most important nutrient factor to man-

age in raw compost materials is the ratio of
carbon (C) to nitrogen (N), as both elements
are essential for the growth of microorganisms.
This ratio is called the Carbon-to-Nitrogen
(C:N) ratio.

The ideal C:N ratio for compost materi-

als is in the range of 30:1 to 40:1. Materials
Single mortality compost pile at field trial in Skagit
that are too high in nitrogen (low C:N) will
County. This pile was built directly in the pasture
with manure, hay, and silage. give off ammonia and methane gases and/
or nutrient-rich leachate. Gases and leachate
both are significant sources of odor. Materi-
Compost Materials als that are very low in nitrogen (high C:N)
will slow the composting process by limiting
Compost materials can include many organic microbial growth. Carcasses are very dense
wastes commonly found on a farm. Attributes and high in nitrogen and moisture. Therefore,
and values for some common compost mate- high-carbon, absorbent materials to surround
rials are listed in Table 1. Whatever materials the carcass are necessary to balance essential
are used, they should be blended or evenly nutrients and provide the right environment

Table 1. Attributes of common on-farm composting materials (adapted from Rynk and Dougherty)
Material C:N ratio Moisture Structure Notes
(%)

Animal Carcass 5:1 60 Poor Very dense. High moisture content.

Cattle Manure 13–20:1 67–87 Poor High moisture content. Uniform, small particle size.
Horse Manure 25–30:1 55–75 Poor High moisture content. Uniform, small particle size.
Wheat Straw 100–150:1 10–14 Very Good Best when chopped and mixed with denser materials.
Needs moisture. Highly degradable source of carbon.
Corn Silage 38–43:1 65–68 Good Good particle size. Poor structure when wet. Strong
odor.
Hay 15–32:1 8–10 Very Good Best when chopped and mixed with denser materials.
Needs moisture. Highly degradable source of carbon.
Sawdust 100–250:1 – – Very Good Absorbent. Maintains structure when wet but difficult
to keep moist in dry climates. Low odor.
Wood Chips 100–250:1 – – Good Adds structure. Excellent base under primary compost
materials. Larger chips absorb less water and odor,
and are slow to degrade.
Finished Compost 20–40:1 – – Good Low available nutrients. Good as absorbent base or
bio-filter cover.

4
for microbial growth. Finished compost is low
in available nutrients for further composting,
but is useful as a ‘bio-filter’ when layered over
a new pile to reduce odors and insulate in
cold weather.

The ideal moisture content for compost

materials surrounding the carcass is about
50% water by weight. Carcasses are ap-
proximately 60% water and therefore require
drier, more absorbent compost materials
than non-mortality compost. Too much
moisture will limit oxygen availability in the
pile, cause odors, and increase the potential
for nutrient leaching. Too little moisture will
limit microbial metabolism and slow carcass
decomposition.
Compost windrow at field trial in Yakima County.
Primary materials: feed refusals, straw, silage, and
dry manure.
Moisture Management:

A helpful rule of thumb: Pick-up a small hand-

ful of your raw material and squeeze it tightly
in your fist. It should have the feel of a wrung-
out sponge. If the material does not feel moist
and crumbles, it is too dry. If you can squeeze
water from the material by hand, it is too wet.
If it sticks together slightly and leaves a few
drops of water on your hand, it’s just right
(about 50 to 60% water by weight).

Structure of a compost pile is determined

by the particle size of raw materials. Good
structure allows oxygen to circulate through
the pile while maintaining moisture and
containing odors. There must be a loose
enough structure to allow some air flow,
Compost windrow at field trial in Grant County.
but not so much as to cause rapid drying or Primary materials: manure and straw on a base of
cooling of the pile. A particle size between woodchips.
0.25 and 1 inch is best. Coarser materials
help maintain porosity but do not absorb
moisture or insulate as well, so a mixture of Location and Method
particle sizes is ideal. Too many large par-
ticles will allow heat and odor to escape, When choosing a location for compost piles,
causing cold (inactive) piles and attracting drainage and accessibility are primary con-
pests. Woodchips and straw can be mixed cerns. The site must allow for leachate and
with finer materials to improve structure, run-off water management. Poor site drainage
but generally do not make good composting can cause problems with saturated materials
materials alone. and muddy working conditions, increasing

5
the potential for pathogens and odors. A land moisture and leachate management easier, es-
slope of 2–6% is optimal. Ditches or berms can pecially in wet climates. Other compost man-
be used up-slope to divert rain water around agement methods include bins and aerated
the piles, minimizing the total amount of piles. For more information on these methods
leachate and run-off that must be managed. see “Additional Resources.”
Piles should be mounded to shed moisture in
wetter climates. If low moisture is a concern,
piles can be built with a depression on top to Additional Resources:
collect water. Avoid sites with rocks or gravel,
as these get mixed with the compost when 1. Cornell Waste Management Institute.
Natural Rendering: Composting Livestock
it is turned. Compost piles should be at least
Mortality and Butcher Waste. Available
300 feet away from all surface water and wells.
on-line at http://compost.css.cornell.edu/
naturalrenderingFS.pdf.
Two basic compost management methods 2. Iowa State University, Department of
are single piles and windrows. A single pile is Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.
built for one mortality and remains separate http://www3.abe.iastate.edu/cattle
from other piles throughout the composting composting/index.asp.
process (Figure 1). A windrow is an extended 3. University of Maryland Cooperative Exten-
pile containing several mortalities added side sion. Composting Animal Mortalities on the
by side that can be added to as needed (Fig- Farm - Fact Sheet 717. Available on-line at
ure 2). Determine which compost system will http://extension.umd.edu/publications/
work best for the site and number of mortali- PDFs/FS717.pdf.
4. Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
ties expected. Plan enough space between
Composting Animal Mortalities. Available
windrows or piles to maneuver equipment. In on-line at http://www.mda.state.mn.us/
most climates the compost pile or windrow news/publications/animals/compost
does not need to be covered, but a simple guide.pdf.
three-sided building or covered area will make

Figure 1. Building a Compost Pile for Large Animal Mortalities

(1)
Start with a two- to three-foot
➤

base of absorbent compost

material.
➤

(2)
Add carcass in the middle. Place
➤
➤
➤
➤
at least two feet of material on
all sides of carcass.

(3)
➤

Cover with another two to three

feet of compost material. This is
very important!
➤

Too little material covering the

carcass will slow decomposition
and attract pests.

6
Figure 2. Windrow Layout for Large Animal Mortality Composting

25–35 feet ➤
➤

• Do not drive over the materials.

Compaction will restrict oxygen in
the pile.

• Add each mortality to a row as the

mortality occurs. Record the date
and location of each addition.

• Calves can be stacked together or

placed with a cow.

• After initial turning, windrows can be

combined.

20 feet to next set ➤

➤
(or enough space to
➤

maneuver equipment)
Leave 2+ feet for airflow and equipment

Building the compost pile : 4. Record the date, size of carcass, and types
of compost material used for each pile in
1. Start with a base of absorbent compost
the log book.
materials at least two to three feet deep. If
high moisture or poor drainage are con-
cerns, a base of large wood chips or similar
coarse material under the primary com-
posting materials will increase air flow and
drainage.
2. Place the carcass on this base so that no
part of the carcass is less than two feet
from any edge. Puncture the rumen in
a few places to prevent bloating and to
speed up decomposition.
3. Bury the carcass completely with another
two to three feet of compost material.
Again, make sure all parts of the carcass
are buried at least two feet from any edge.
The pile may settle as decomposition oc-
curs, or it may be disturbed by wind or
animals. Observe carefully and add more
material as needed; an exposed carcass Base for mortality compost windrows. Primary ma-
will create odors and attract pests. terials include dairy solids and feed refusals.

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Management After several months of active composting,
the pile can be turned to mix and aerate the
It is very important to monitor compost piles materials. The majority of the soft tissues
regularly for odors, pests, settling, or distur- and small bones will be gone, but some large
bance. Record temperatures and observations bones will remain. After turning, rebuild the
weekly in a log book. Temperature is the best pile and let it continue to compost. Internal
measurement of compost “success”—as long temperatures should increase again after each
as the pile stays hot the compost microbes are
still working.

As compost microbes become active, the in-

ternal temperature of the pile will rise. For the
most efficient decomposition, internal tem-
peratures should be between 105°F and 155°F
but can get as high as 170°F. Outside tempera-
tures can affect the internal temperature of
the pile. In extremely cold weather, additional
compost material may be needed to insulate
the pile.

The Washington Department of Ecology

guidelines for mortality composting require
that temperatures above 131°F be reached at
points all around the carcass, at a two-foot
depth from the surface, for at least three days.
This procedure kills potentially pathogenic Cow hip bone, after four months of active com-
bacteria and viruses in the carcass or compost posting, showing significant deterioration along
materials. Note: there is no evidence that bone margins. Bone is soft and easily broken and
prions (Mad Cow Disease, Scrapie, etc.) are de- will continue to decompose if covered in an active
stroyed at normal composting temperatures. compost pile.

Measuring internal pile temperature on a mortality Large bone after ten weeks of active composting.
compost trial at the WSU compost yard.

8
turning as oxygen and a fresh food source
stimulate microbial growth. While not re-
quired by law for non-commercial operations,
it is recommended that internal temperatures
again reach 131°F after turning, to further
reduce pathogens. Continue to monitor and
turn the pile until the compost is finished.
Most compost operations will turn a pile
three times or until internal temperatures no
longer exceed 105°F, indicating the compost
is finished.

Large bones are a challenge with large animal

mortality composting. Bones can be removed
from the finished compost by hand and
discarded, or added to a new pile to continue
composting. Eventually, even the largest
bones will become soft enough to be easily Finished compost.
broken when put through a manure spreader,
or driven over by a tractor. The most impor-
tant factor for bone management is exposure.
If the bones are exposed to air and dry out,
they will immediately begin to harden. Once
bones have hardened, decomposition is very References
difficult and slow.
Cornell Waste Management Institute and
Cornell Cooperative Extension. Natural
The Final Product
Rendering: Composting Livestock Mortality
and Butcher Waste. Fact Sheet. 2002.
The final compost product should have no
trace of tissues or unpleasant odor. Some Dougherty, Mark (Ed). Field Guide to On-farm
of the bones may still be left but should be Composting. Natural Resource, Agriculture
brittle and easily broken. The compost should and Engineering Service, Ithaca, NY. 1999.
be brown or dark brown in color and have a NRAES-114.
pleasant earthy odor. The texture should be
Rynk, Robert (Ed). On-farm Composting Hand-
crumbly and allow air to penetrate, but still
book. Natural Resource, Agriculture and
hold moisture. The finished compost can be
Engineering Service, Ithaca, NY. 1992.
stored in large curing piles on-site until it is
NRAES-54.
land-applied or transported. Depending on
materials and management, the entire pro- Washington State Department of Ecology.
cess can take anywhere from four months to On-farm Composting of Livestock Mortalities.
over a year. Publication No. 05-07-034. 2005.

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EB2031E