Code of Maine Rules › 01 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY › 001 - AGRICULTURE - GENERAL › Chapter 211 - RULES FOR THE DISPOSAL OF ANIMAL CARCASSES › Appendix 001-211-A

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Catastrophic Carcass Disposal Plan Template
Farm Name ________________________________________
Primary Disposal Option
				  _____________________________________(composting, burial ")
Secondary Disposal Option
				  ___________________________________(composting, burial, landfill")
The site for our catastrophic carcass compost/burial site is
				  in tract___, field_____, on land we own. The site was chosen with the guidance
				  of _____________________ __________________(licensed soil scientist, NRCS field
				  staff, SWCD technician.)(Include name and phone number of person providing
				  technical assistance.)Here we have enough space to compost/bury up to _______
				  cows.
For equipment to do this we own or have access to the
				  following:
___Bucket Loader(s)
___Compost Turner(s)
___3 foot temperature probe
___3 to 6 foot piece of sharpened rebar
___trucks with dump body
___excavators
___bulldozers
___backhoes
___skid steers
___pulp loaders
___feed mix wagons
___manure spreaders
___Plastic safety fencing to contain the area (___ft.) and
				  fastened to the ground around the finished compost area to discourage
				  predators.
Cover materials for the composting process will include mixes
				  of the following materials:
chopped straw, ground corn stalks, silage, ground hay , wood
				  shavings/sawdust, cow manure, calf and heifer bedding, horse bedding and
				  poultry litter. (see BMP for best ratios)
If we need more than we have on hand, we will get
				  __________________(horse bedding, sludge compost, other bulking materials) from
				  __________________._____________________ (Include contact name and phone number
				  for material.)
For Composting, we will need 6X + 6 cubic yards of cover
				  material. (X = number of cows.) . In addition, we will need 1.75X + 1.75 cubic
				  yards of material to build the base. In total, for a 10 cow windrow, we would
				  need approximately 85 cubic yards of material. If our entire herd required
				  composting, we would need ______________ cubic yards of compost
				  material.
In order to create the bed, we would need to lay down an 18
				  inch deep bed of compost materials laid out in a windrow that is 10 feet wide
				  and 44 feet long (4 x X +(4) for each layout of 10 animals. (X is the number of
				  cows.) (see diagrams in BMP) A 2 feet space will be allowed between the end
				  cows and the end of the windrow.
Windrows will be laid out in pairs, with a one foot gap
				  between each pair. A gap of 10 feet will be allowed before the next pair of
				  windrows. (see diagrams in BMP)
(Note: If burial is the primary option, then the description
				  from the Department of Agriculture trench burial document should be used as
				  guidance for this section.)
If a catastrophe occurred,
				  __________________________________________(Name and phone number) would
				  immediately call:
Local:_______________________________________________________(name
				  and phone number)
State:_______________________________________________________
				  (name and phone number)
Federal
				  authorities_____________________________________________ (name and phone
				  number)
on implementing biosecurity recommendations. We would
				  immediately minimize traffic on the farm and disinfect people and vehicles
				  coming to the farm and leaving the farm. (How would this be done" Is
				  disinfection equipment for vehicles available on the farm" If not, where will
				  it be obtained")
________________________ would be in charge of overseeing the
				  composting/burial on our farm. S/he will have received this training from
				  _____________________________. For composting, s/he will oversee the bed
				  building, the carcass layout, and the covering of the carcasses with at least 2
				  feet of material. (3 feet if it is winter) S/he will use a 3 foot probe to
				  insure coverage is adequate. S/he will visually monitor the pile everyday for
				  the first 7 days, and once a week thereafter. If cracks appear or any carcass
				  part is visible, additional material will be added to cover immediately.
S/he will record Carcass Compost Temperatures 5 days per
				  week, in at least five different places (flagged so that repeat measures are
				  taken in the same spot) in each windrow until the time/temperature standard is
				  met.(see attached) The temperatures will be recorded on a chart and that record
				  will be kept in a safe place.
The pile will be left undisturbed for 10-12 weeks to as long
				  as 6 months, based on levels of decomposition.
The windrow will be turned with a bucket loader, excavator,
				  or compost turner about once a week thereafter for as long as the average pile
				  temperature is above 110 degrees. In order for the compost to leave the farm,
				  it must achieve a minimum of 131° F or 55° C for 3 days, or in the
				  turned windrow phase, have achieved a minimum of 131° F or 55° C for a
				  minimum of 15 days with a minimum of 5 turnings during that time. Otherwise it
				  will be re-composted or spread on the owner's own fields.
There will be a record maintained of where each batch was
				  spread, whether on own land or someone else's and it will be included in the
				  Nutrient Management Plan of the landowner as well.