Webcast for Agricultural Advisors and Professionals Addresses Management
of Dead Livestock through Composting

Colorado State University (CSU) and partners will present a webcast titled, “Livestock Mortality Composting for Large and Small Operations in the Semi-arid West” on June 20 at 12:00pm mountain (1:00pm central and 11:00am Pacific) at: http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/coloag via Adobe Connect.  Sponsored by The USDA Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, this webcast includes presenters from Montana State University (MSU) and New Mexico State University (NMSU), in addition to CSU.  The presentation is designed for professionals who advise livestock producers, such as county agents, USDA-NRCS staff, conservation district staff and private agricultural and environmental consultants.  It will run approximately 60 minutes. 

Proper management of animal mortalities on the farm, ranch or feedlot has important implications for nutrient management, water quality, animal health, and farm/ranch family and public health.  To best ensure human health and safety, reduce regulatory risks, and protect environmental resources, livestock producers should become familiar with best management practices (BMPs) for dealing with dead animals. They should also be aware of state laws related to proper disposal or processing of mortalities. 

Mortality composting is an increasingly popular and viable alternative when compared to other disposal practices because of cost savings, reduced environmental risks, and the generation of a potentially useful end-product. The objective of this project is to provide those who advise livestock producers, in the semi-arid High Plains and Rocky Mountains, with the knowledge, tools, and resources to develop mortality management plans, with specific focus on the composting option. 

This webcast is part of a suite of products including: a decision aid spreadsheet that evaluates the costs of mortality composting against other mortality disposal options, a how-to-manual on mortality composting, and a video illustrating on-the-ground mortality composting.  These resources were created by CSU, MSU, NMSU, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the University of Wyoming; they are based on demonstrated research, reviewed pertinent literature, and documented mortality composting systems already in-use by regional producers.  These additional products are available by visiting: http://livestockandenvironment.org