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Animal Health

Carcass Management Dashboard

Last Modified: Aug 3, 2021

The purpose of this site is to guide you quickly through carcass management options for planning or response purposes. The response goal for waste management is to properly dispose of contaminated and potentially contaminated materials, including animal carcasses, as soon as possible while containing pathogens, protecting the environment, ensuring stakeholder acceptance and maximizing cost effectiveness.

STEP 1: Information About the Situation

A. The first step in Carcass Management is to assess the situation; identify the types and quantities of animals involved, their average weight and reason for illness/death. Open the Options, Time & Cost Calculator below, and enter the appropriate information into the blue boxes at the top of the spreadsheet.

Options, Time & Cost Calculator

B. For distances to landfill, rendering and incineration, use the Routing Map to find the premises location, then use the Measurement Tool (ruler icon in upper right) to find distances to the nearest disposal facilities, and enter those distances into the Options, Time & Cost Calculator.

STEP 2: Draft Carcass Management Plan

A. The second step is to draft a Carcass Management Plan; using the results from Step 1 and the checklists below, identify all feasible carcass management options for the premises. Enter the resulting information in the Site Specific Carcass Management Plan Template. Note: although the calculator includes the Above Ground Burial Option, there is no additional checklist or planning information because the technology is still experimental and not yet validated.

Emergency Carcass Management Desk Reference Guide (DRG)

B.For those options that are feasible, estimate needed materials, supplies and equipment based on the Options, Time & Cost Calculator and the Planning Guides, below.

STEP 3: Review Plan with State Officials

The third step is to coordinate with local and state environmental officials; once you have completed steps 1 and 2 and have a draft plan, discuss the plan with your state agriculture and environmental officials, making any necessary changes to gain their written approval. Blank approval signature lines are provided at the end of the Site Specific Carcass Management Plan Template for use if desired.

State Departments of Agriculture — Environmental Agencies Contact Info

Coordination

Interagency Coordination

Effectiveness of Spray-Based Decontamination Methods for Spores and Viruses on Heavily Soiled Surfaces	M.Worth Calfee, Ph.D.	2016	EPA/600/R-16/162
Field Study on Cleaning a Rendering Plant Following a Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) Outbreak	Paul Lemieux, PhD	2013	EPA 600/R-13/145
Inactivation of Avian Influenza Virus Using Common Detergents and Chemicals	M. E. Lombardi,A B. S. Ladman,B R. L. Alphin,C and E. R. Benson	2008	Avian Diseases
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Virus Persistence Testing and Evaluation of Liquid Decontamination Technologies	Joe Wood/EPA	2009	Final Report In Clearance 2009

Other Research

Relationship Between Clinical Signs and Transmission of an Infectious Disease and the Implications for Control	Bryan Charleston	2011	American Association for Advancement of Science
Cost of Remediation of Nitrogen-Contaminated Soils Under CAFO Impoundments	C. Volland, J. Zupancic, J. Chappelle	2003	Journal of Hazardous Substance Research
Influence of Prion Strain on Prion Protein Adsorption to Soil in a Competitive Matrix	Samuel E, Saunders, Jason C. Bartz, Shannon L. Bartelt-Hunt	2009	American Chemical Society
Prion Protein Adsorption to Soil in a Competitive Matrix Is Slow and Reduced	Samuel E, Saunders, Jason C. Bartz, Shannon L. Bartelt-Hunt	2009	American Chemical Society
Persistence of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus in Animals, their Products and the Environment	G.E. Cottral	1996
Distribution of Artificial Radionuclides in Abandoned Cattle in the Evacuation Zone of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant	Tomokazu Fukuda, Yasushi Kino, Yasuyuki Abe, Hideaki Yamashiro, Yoshinkazu Kuwahara, Hidekazu Nihel, Yosuke Sano, Ayumi Irisawa, Tsutomu, Motoi Fukmoto, Hisashi Shinoda, Yuichi Obata, Shin Saigusa, Tsutomu Sekine, Emiko Isogai, Manabu Fukumoto	2013	PLOS One
Avian Influenza Virus RNA in Groundwater Wells Supplying Poultry Farms Affected by the 2015 Influenza Outbreak	Mark A. Borchardt, Susan K. Spencer, Laura E. Hubbard, Aaron D. Firnstahl, Joel P. Stokdyk and Dana W. Kolpin	2015	ACS Publications
Pathogenic prion protein is degraded by a manganese oxide mineral found in soils	"Fabio Russo,Christopher J. Johnson, Chad J. Johnson, Debbie McKenzie, Judd M. Aiken and Joel A. Pedersen"	2008	Journal of General Virology
Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Practice Standard Pathogen Management		2002	USDA
Fate of Prions in Soil: A Review	Christen B. Smith, Clarissa J. Booth, and Joel A. Pedersen	2011	American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society of America
Respiratory Disorders Among Workers in Slaughterhouses	"Abbasali Kasaeinasab , Mehdi Jahangiri , Ali Karimi , Hamid Reza Tabatabaei , Sonia Safari"	2016	Elsevier
Assessment of Fukushima-Derived Radiation Doses and Effects on Wildlife in Japan	"P. Strand, T. Aono J. E. Brown J. Garnier-Laplace A. Hosseini, T. Sazykina, F. Steenhuisen, and J. Vives i Batlle"	2014	ACS Publications
Detection of foot-and-mouth disease virus in the breath of infected cattle using a hand-held device to collect aerosols	Laurids Siig Christensena,∗, Katharina E. Brehmb, Julia Julia Christensena, Bernd HaasbSkovc, Kenneth W. Harlowc,	2011	Journal of Virological Methods
Adsorption of Pathogenic Prion Protein to Quartz Sand	Cissy Ma, Craig Benson, Debbie McKenzie, Judd M Aiken, Joel A Peders	2007	Environmental Science & Technology
Differential Decomposition in Terrestrial, Freshwater and Saltwater Environments: A Plot Study	Laura E. Ayers, B.A.	2010	Texas State University-San Marcos

Disposal - Shallow Burial with Carbon

Large-Scale Shallow Burial with Carbon Field Study in Oklahoma (4.7 MB)	USDA-APHIS	2022	APHIS
Guidelines for the Emergency Use of Above Ground Burial to Manage Catastrophic Livestock Mortality	USDA-APHIS	2021	APHIS
Mesophilic Static Pile Composting of Animal Carcasses	Gary Flory and Robert Peer	2017	BioCycle.net
Above Ground Burial Managing Catastrophic Loss of Livestock	Gary Alan Flory, Robert W. Peer, Robert A. Clark, Mohamed Naceur Baccar, Thanh-Thao Le, Aziz Ben Mbarek and Sami Farsi	2017	International Journal of One Health

Disposal - Burial

The danger of lime use in agricultural anthrax disinfection procedures: the potential role of calcium in the preservation of anthrax spores.	Chelsea G. Himsworth	2008	Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
Water Quality Impacts of Burying Livestock Mortalities	Rachel Freedman, Ron Fleming	2003	Ridgetown College - University of Guelph
Livestock Mortalities Burial Leachate Chemistry after Two Years of Decomposition	Dyan L. Pratt, Terrance A. Fonstad	2009	BioCycle
Potential water quality impacts originating from land burial of cattle carcasses	Qi Yuan, Daniel D. Snow, Shannon L. Bartely-Hunt	2013	University of Nebraska

Disposal - Composting

Viability of Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus thuringiensis spores as a model for predicting the fate of bacillus anthracis spores during composting of dead livestock	Tim Reuter, Trevor W. Alexander , Tim A McAllister	2010	Applied and Environmental Microbiology
Biodegradation of Bacillus anthracis endospores during Composting	Tim Reuter		Alberta
Effect of turning frequency on co-composting pig manure and fungus residue	Zhou Jiang-ming	2017	Journal of the Air and Waste Management
Efficacy and efficiency of poultry carcass composting using different mechanical mixing equipment for avian influenza outbreaks	Jennifer Elizabeth Keaten1 and Mark Hutchinson	2017	International Journal of One Health
Natural Rendering: Composting Poultry Mortality	Jean Bonhotal, Mary Schwarz, Nellie Brown	2008	Cornell Cooperative Extension
Emission of Volatile Organic Compounds during Composting of Poultry Litter	N.G. Turan, A. Akdemir, O.N. Ergun	2007	Springer Science
Degradation of foot-and-mouth disease virus during composting of infected pig carcasses	J. Guan, M. Chan, C. Grenier, B.W. Brooks, J.L. Spencer, C. Kranendonk, J. Copps, A. Clavijo	2010	Canadian Journal Veterinary Research
Environmental Impacts of Emergency Livestock Mortality Composting—Leachate Release and Soil Contamination	Thomas D. Glanville, Heekwon Ahn, Thomas L. Richard, Hay D. Harmon, Donald L. Reynolds	2006	Iowa State University
Verification of Poultry Carcass Composting Research through Application during Actual Avian Influenza Outbreaks	Gary A. Flory and Robert W. Peer	2010	ILAR Journal
Conservation Practice Standard Animal Mortality Facility Code 316	NRCS, NHCP	2015	USDA
Inactivation of Avian Influenza and Model Virus Animal By-Product Composts	Elving J., Emmoth E., Albihn A., Vinnerås B, Ottoson J.	2010	National Veterinary Institute, Sweden
Inactivation of Bacillus anthracis Spores during Laboratory-Scale Composting of Feedlot Cattle Manure	Shanwei Xu, Amanda Harvey, Ruth Barbieri, Tim Reuter, Kim Stanford, Kingsley K. Amoako, Leonard B. Selinger, Tim A. McAllister	2016	Frontiers In Microbiology
Scientific opinion on composting on-farm of dead poultry	EFSA Panel on Biological Hazrards	2011	European Food and Safety Authority Journal

Disposal - Gasifier

Miscellaneous Operating Procedure for the Transportable Gasifier for Animal Carcasses	U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Homeland Security Research Center	2017	EPA
Progress Report: Transportable Gasifier for On-Farm Disposal of Animal Mortalities	U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Homeland Security Research Center	2016	EPA
Gasification of Meat and Bone Meal	Fonstad, T.A., Soni, C.G, Kulkarni , M., Dalai, A.K., Pugsley, T. Zang	2009	U.C. Davis

Disposal - General

Animal Disease Outbreak Emergency Response Logistical Infrastructure Consolidated Report	Ms. Lori P. Miller, PE, Dr. Jimmy Tickel, DVM, Mr. Mike Mayes, Dr. Robert E. DeOtte, Jr. P.E., P.G., Ms. Emilie Hill, Ms. Stacey Tyler	2016	DHS / APHIS
Design, construction, and testing of a low maintenance, low-cost, vehicle tire and undercarriage cleaning and disinfection facility to enhance biosecurity at concentrated animal feeding operations	Dr. Gerald Parker / Dr. Robert DeOtte	2016	EPA
Feasibility of Selected Infectious Carcass Pretreatment Technologies	Office of Research and Development, National Homeland Security Research Center	2016	EPA
Exposure Assessment of Livestock Carcass Management Options During a Chemical Emergency	Office of Research and Development, National Homeland Security Research Center	2015	EPA
Exposure Assessment of Livestock Carcass Management Options During a Foreign Animal Disease Outbreak	Office of Research and Development, National Homeland Security Research Center	2014	EPA
Exposure Assessment of Livestock Carcass Management Options During a Radiological Emergency	Office of Research and Development, National Homeland Security Research Center	2017	EPA
Effectiveness of Spray-Based Decontamination Methods for Spores and Viruses on Heavily Soiled Surfaces	Office of Research and Development, National Homeland Security Research Center	2017	EPA
Exposure Assessment of Livestock Carcass Management Options During Natural Disasters	Office of Research and Development, National Homeland Security Research Center	2017	EPA
The environmental and biosecurity characteristics of livestock carcass disposal methods: A review	Ceri L. Gwyther, A. Prysor Williams, Peter N. Golynshin , Gareth Edwards-Jones, David L. Jones	2011	Elsevier
Disposal of Dead Production Animals 1988-2006	Jean Larson	2006	USDA
CONSERVATION PRACTICE STANDARD Emergency Animal Mortality Management Code 368		2016	USDA
The Disposal of Carcases During the 2001 Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreak in the UK	G.M. Trevelyan, M.V. Tas, E.M. Varley and G.A.W. Hickman	2001	DEFRA, FMD Joint Co-ordination
Scientific opinion on on-site treatment of pig carcasses	EFSA Panel on Biological Hazrards	2011	European Food and Safety Authority Journal
Scientific opinion on isolation in proofed pit on-farm of dead poultry	EFSA Panel on Biological Hazrards	2011	European Food and Safety Authority Journal

Disposal - Landfill

Evaluating the Risk of Wild Bird Exposure to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus in Leachate from Landfills Accepting Poultry Carcass Waste	USDA-APHIS	2020	USDA-APHIS
Development of numerical model for predicting heat generation and temperatures in MSW landfills	James L. Hanson , Nazli Yesiller , Michael T. Onnen , Wei-Lien Liu , Nicolas K. Oettle ,Janelle A. Marinos	2013	Waste Management
Spatial and Temporal Temperature Distributions in Municipal Solid Waste Landfills	James L. Hanson, Nazli Yesiller, and Nicolas K. Oettle	2010	Journal of Environmental Engineering
Environmental Protection at the Managed Solid Waste Landfill	Geosyntec Consultants	2009	Geosyntec Consultants
Spatial Variability of Waste Temperatures in MSW Landfills	James L. Hanson, Nazli Yesiller, and Nicolas K. Oettle	2008	Proceedings, 2008 Global Waste Management Symposium
Heat Generation in Municipal Solid Waste Landfills	Nazli Yeșiller, James L. Hanson, Wei-Lien Liu	2005	Journal of Geotechnical And Geoenviornmental Engineering ASCE
Landfill Settlement and the Impact on Site Capacity and Refuse Hydraulic Conductivity	David E. Bleiker, Grahame Farquhar, Edward McBean	1995	Waste Management and Research

Disposal - Other

Carcass Management Guidelines - Effective disposal of animal carcasses and contaminated materials on small to medium-sized farms	Lori P. Miller, Robert A. Miknis, Gary A. Flory	2020	FAO Animal Production and Health/Guidelines
Deep Coastal Marine Taphonomy: Investigation into Carcass Decomposition in the Saanich Inlet, British Columbia Using a Baited Camera	Gail S. Anderson , Lynne S. Bell	2014	PLOS One
Bioreduction of Sheep Carcasses Effectively Contains and Reduces Pathogen Levels under Operational and Simulated Breakdown Conditions	Ceri L. Gwyther, David L. Jones, Peter N. Golyshin, Gareth Edwards-Jones, John McKillen, Irene McNair, James E. McDonald, and A. Prysor Williams"	2013	ACS Publications
Persistence of Pathogenic Prion Protein during Simulated Wastewater Treatment Processes	Glen T. Hinckley, Christopher J. Johnson, Kurt H. Jacobson, Christian Bartholomay, Katherine D. McMahon, Debbie McKenzie, Judd M. Aiken, and Joel A. Pedersen	2008	American Chemical Society
Recommended Interim Practices for Disposal of Potentially Contaminated Chronic Wasting Disease Carcasses and Wastes	Robert Springer	2004	na
Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management and Disposition: Proceedings of a Workshop	Jennifer Heimberg	2001	National Academy of Sciences
Valuing Potential Environmental Liabilities for Managerial Decision - Making	Susan McLaughlin, Holly Elwood, Martin A. Spitzer	1996	EPA Environmental Accounting Project

Disposal - Rendering

USDA After Action Report: Rendering Workshop, July 2017: Riverdale, Maryland	APHIS, Veterinary Services	2017	USDA-APHIS
Field Study on Cleaning a Rendering Plant Following a Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) Outbreak	Office of Research and Development National Homeland Security Research Center	2013	EPA
Validation of Thermal Destruction of Pathogenic Bacteria in Rendered Animal Products	A. Leaphart, T.R. Scott, S.D. Chambers, W.C Bridges Jr. , A.K Greene	2006	Clemson University

Disposal - Storage

A quantitative risk assessment for the safety of carcase storage systems for scrapie infected farms	A. Adkin, D.L. Jones, R.L. Eckford, G. Edwards-Jones and A.P. Williams	2014