By: Amy Millmier Schmidt, Livestock Bioenvironmental Engineer
In last month's BeefWatch newsletter, I talked about the change in Nebraska state statute that lifted the limitation on composting livestock mortalities weighing more than 600 lbs. Seeing is believing, so a field day has been planned to share information and demonstrate the composting process with producers, extension personnel, and anyone with an interest in on-farm mortality composting. The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis, NE will host a demonstration field day on Thursday, Dec. 12, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m that will include a panel discussion about the composting process, benefits of compost as a soil amendment, biosecurity and disease transfer, composting as part of a CNMP, and EQIP cost-share opportunities. The program will conclude with a visit to the NCTA mortality composting pile where attendees will have an opportunity to view three animals that have been actively composting for three to six months. A new carcass will then be added to the pile to demonstrate the process. Don't miss this chance to see first-hand how on-farm composting can become part of a successful livestock mortality disposal program and ask questions of experts in the UNL system, NRCS, and veterinary medicine field. The program, directions, and contact information for this event are available at: http://go.unl.edu/bftu.