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Visit Your Local NRCS Office for Help with Animal Mortality Composting Facilities

February 11, 2009

Composting may be a viable alternative to Iowa cattle producers concerned about meeting new Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, which prohibit the use of high-risk cattle material in feed for all animal species. The new regulations go into effect on April 27.

The new FDA rules do not prohibit a renderer from accepting any of the items they may currently be accepting. However the rule prohibits:

  • the rendering of brains and spinal cords from cattle 30 months of age and older.
  • and the entire carcass of cattle not inspected and passed for human consumption, unless the cattle are less than 30 months of age or the brains and spinal cords have been effectively removed.
    •

    Composting facilities must be designed to accommodate at least the average annual death loss for all sites using the facility. Composted material should be applied to cropland. Prior approval is required from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to apply composted material to non-cropland or to compost mortalities from a catastrophic event such as a fire. More information about DNR rules associated with on-farm composting can be found at http://www.iowadnr.gov/afo/disposal.html.

    All runoff from mortality composting facilities must be controlled and contained. Diversions should be constructed to prevent clean water run-on and to collect and contain runoff. Roof structures help prevent runoff from mortality composting facilities.

    Assistance is available from the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office to construct an animal mortality composting facility and determine its suitable site and size. Financial assistance may also be available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

    Contact your local NRCS office for more details.

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    Contact:
    Mark Garrison, NRCS Environmental Engineer
    Phone: (515) 323-2247


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