It is important to ask for information on how the waste material you accept was produced, handled, stored and transported. Try to assess the risks at each stage for potential contamination. Consult experts who know the manufacturing process and experts that can help assess the animal risk. For cropping issues, contact a Soil and Crop Advisor with your local Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs office. Look in the blue pages of your telephone book under the Government of Ontario for current locations and listings.
Livestock bedding is a relatively new use for waste materials.
Because of this lack of familiarity, it is very important to evaluate these materials particularly in regards to livestock health, crop production and environmental safety. If after evaluation there is a concern with the material, the safest option is not to use it. However, there is potential for using high quality waste materials as livestock bedding. This information is provided as a public service, but we cannot guarantee that the information is current or accurate. Readers should verify the information before acting on it.