Mortality Composting in Wisconsin

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Mortality Composting in Wisconsin

• Presented by Dan Short
• UW-Extension/CALS

January 2000 Mortality Composting Presentation
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What is Composting?
Composting is the biological decomposition of
organic wastes under controlled conditions that
results in the production of carbon dioxide,
water, minerals and stabilized organic matter
(humus) and disposed of in an environmentally
sound manner.
January 2000 Mortality Composting Presentation
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Composting - A Natural Way to Recycle

• Cost effective?
• Environmentally sound
• Destroys pathogens, weeds, seeds, insect eggs
• Needs to be managed

January 2000 Mortality Composting Presentation
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Traditional Composting
Utilizes thermophilic bacteria and other
microorganisms (actinomycetes, fungi) in largely
an aerobic environment. Frequent turning/mixing
allows the process to be completed quite quickly.
January 2000 Mortality Composting Presentation
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Composting is Bacteria Farming

• Bacteria
• Account for 80-90 Decomposition Activity, heat
• Sugars, starches, proteins, fat
• Start cellulose breakdown
• Actinomycetes
• Second step in cellulitic digestion
• Earthy odor
• Fungi
• Similar role as Actinomycetes
• 3rd step in cellulitic digestion

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Mortality Composting
Characterized by a aerobic and anaerobic zones
within the composting facility. The carcass
degrades by anaerobic action releasing fluids and
gases which diffuse into the aerobic zone and
aerobic bacteria degrade these materials to CO2
and water and release heat. Therefore often a
secondary composting period is incorporated into
the system.
January 2000 Mortality Composting Presentation
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Controllable Composting Variables

• Organic Amendment
• Bulking Agent
• Percent Recycled Compost
• Particle Size
• Carbon/Nitrogen Ratio
• Initial Moisture
• Porosity
• Chemical pH
• Compost Temperatures

• Percent Recycled Air
• Aeration Schedule
• Stirring Frequency
• Moisture Control
• Retention Time
• Curing Time
• Inoculation
• Pile Shape
• Pile Depth

Taken from NPPC Swine Mortality Composting Module
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Composting Key ProcessManagement Variables

• Pile Structure (shape, depth, volume)
• Nutrient Balance (feedstock selection)
• H2O
• Oxygen (porosity)
• Temperature

January 2000 Mortality Composting Presentation
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Construction

• Type
• Bin vs. static pile
• Size
• Costs

Taken from NPPC Swine Mortality Composting Module
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Carbon Nitrogen Ratio
Swine Carcass 51 Recycled Secondary 30-501 Sawd
ust 1401 Target 301

• Too LOW C/N
• NH3
• Other odors

• Too HIGH C/N
• Low decomposition rate
• Low temperature

Taken from NPPC Swine Mortality Composting Module
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Feedstock Formula Examples
NPPC Composting Module Book Pages 44-46
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Key Variable - Nutrient Balance
General CN Equation

• Q1(C1x(100-M1)Q2(C2x(100-M2)
• Q1(N1x(100-M1)Q2(N2x(100-M2)

R
MW-Composting ISU
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Key Variable - Moisture 4
Swine Carcass 65 Recycled
Secondary 40-50 Sawdust 20-50 Target 55

• Too LOW Moisture
• Low decomposition
• Low temperature

• Too HIGH Moisture
• Putrid odors
• Flies

Taken from NPPC Swine Mortality Composting Module
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Key Variable - Porosity 4
Goal Achieve good oxygen flow into the pile.
Maintain oxygen level above 5 Avoid over
cooling pile due to too much air
infiltration Target 40

• Too LOW Porosity
• Low decomposition rate
• Low temperatures
• Odors

• Too HIGH Porosity
• Low decomposition rate
• Low temperature

Taken from NPPC Swine Mortality Composting Module
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Key Variable - Temperature 1

• Best decomposition Rates _at_ 110-150ºF
• Bacterial Death Occurs _at_ gt160ºF
• Most Pathogens (insects weed-seeds) destroyed _at_
  131ºF for 3 days

Taken from NPPC Swine Mortality Composting Module
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Important Disease Control Characteristics of
Compost Piles

• Reach temperatures of 130º to 150º F
• Temperatures about 130º F for 3 days
• Destroy most pathogens
• Destroy insect larvae
• Weed seeds
• Two-stage system allow mixing
• Ensures most pathogens are destroyed
• Organic acids produced
• Aid pathogen destruction

Taken from NPPC Swine Mortality Composting Module
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Microbial Population Dynamics During Composting
Bacteria
Temp
Log cfus/g
Temp ºC
Actinomycetes
Fungi
Time
F C º x 1.8 32
Midwest Composting School
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Key Variable - Temperature 2
Some types Salmonella survive a wide range of
environmental conditions.
Taken from MW-Composting school, APHI, USDA,
WDATCP and NPPC
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Disease Risk in Leachate

• Research indicates survivability -
• up to 5 days
• but no past 7 days

Taken from NPPC Swine Mortality Composting Module
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Guidelines for Dead Animal Composting
Taken from NPPC Swine Mortality Composting Module
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Bin/Pile Management Basic

• Loading
• 1-2 base feedstock
• Layer carcasses and gt 1 from edges
• Cover with 1 or more feed stock
• Leave minimum 6 between carcasses

Taken from NPPC Swine Mortality Composting Module
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Sizing
NPPC Composting Module Book Pages 36-37
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Managing Bin Composter Process
NPPC Composting Module Book Pages 44-46
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Who regulates composting in Wisconsin?

• Local or county ordinances?
• WDNR - NR500.03 Bureau of Waste Mgt..
• WDATCP - Division of Animal Health Wisconsin
  statute 95.5 Disposition of Carcasses

January 2000 Mortality Composting Presentation
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Handout

• NR500.03

January 2000 Mortality Composting Presentation
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Handout

• WDATCP Wisconsin Statute 95.50

January 2000 Mortality Composting Presentation
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Site Selection Objectives

• Protect ground and surface water resources
• Maintain air quality
• Reduce risk of disease transmission
• Control flies, vermin and scavenging animal
  problems

Taken from NPPC Swine Mortality Composting Module
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Site Checklist for Compost Facilities

• Avoid wet areas the facility must be high dry
• Divert clean water.
• Locate at least 3 ft. above high water table.
• Locate at least 300 ft. from streams, ponds, or
  lakes in the same drainage area.
• Provide for runoff collection treatment or
  storage areas.
• Ensure all weather access.
• Maintain suitable access to sawdust storage.

• Locate safe distance from buried overhead
  utilities
• Consider other farm traffic.
• Provide limited or appealing view to neighbors or
  passing motorists.
• Consider prevailing winds.
• Maintain biosecurity precautions.
• Consider aesthetics and landscaping.

Taken from NPPC Swine Mortality Composting Module
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Water Quality

• Locate away from waterways and ponds.
• Collect/store or treat all runoff and leachate.
• Avoid flood-plains.
• Low permeability soil base maintained 3 feet
  about the high water table.
• Gravel/filter fabric base necessary for static
  piles or windrows without roofs.

Taken from NPPC Swine Mortality Composting Module
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Biosecurity

• Eliminate off-farm vehicle entry.
• Prevent scavenging animals in the compost area.
• Maintain appropriate carcass cover to allow
  pathogen destruction.

Taken from NPPC Swine Mortality Composting Module
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Important Biosecurity Measures for Composting
Operations Part 1

• Facility siting
• Locate facility away from production facilities
• Locate down-wind, if possible
• Haul finished compost material away from
  production facilities, if possible
• Vehicles and equipment
• Maintain cleanliness between production unit and
  compost pile.

Taken from NPPC Swine Mortality Composting Module
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Important Biosecurity Measures for Composting
Operations Part 2

• Scavenging animals, birds and vermin
• Maintain adequate cover over carcasses.
• Construct fencing if problems persist.
• Spread finished compost away from the site.
• Personnel
• Identify a manager for the pile.
• Shower/clean clothes when entering a production
  facility

Taken from NPPC Swine Mortality Composting Module
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Arlington Ag Research Station Mortality
Composting Demonstration Center
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Arlington Ag Research Station Mortality
Composting Demonstration Center
Sawdust Feedstock Pile
Cow Straw Treatment
Cow Sawdust Treatment
Calf Bin
Cell 1
Cell 2
Cell 3
Cell 4
Sawdust Feedstock Pile
Cow Straw Treatment
Cow Sawdust Treatment
Mixing Area
Calf Bin
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Arlington - Cow Compost Pile
1350 cow 8/7
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Calf Compost Bin




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Sources for Mortality Composting Information

• Composting Module - NPPCwww.nppc.org(515)
  223-2600
• OSU - Composting Livestock and PoultryA -
  Trainers ManualB - Participants Manual
• www.composting.org

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Leachate Collection (gals)
Dates 8/10-8/31 8/31-10/4 10/4-11/2 Precipitatio
n 2.11 3.37 .48