North Dakota State University Extension and the North Dakota Department of Agriculture will host a livestock and poultry mortality composting workshop from 3-7 p.m. CDT on July 1. The event will be held at the Golden Nugget in New Salem, North Dakota.

“Animal mortalities are an inevitable part of all livestock and poultry operations,” says Jaden Russell, NDSU Extension agent in Morton County. “Rendering, incineration, burial and composting are approved methods of carcass disposal in North Dakota.”

“Carcass abandonment is not only illegal, but also promotes biological and disease hazards, threats to water quality, odors, flies, scavengers, rodents and visual pollution,” says Dr. Margo Kunz, assistant state veterinarian at the North Dakota Department of Agriculture. “Composting animal mortalities is not only used for a normal mortality situation but is also effective for pathogen mitigation.”

Workshop topics will include rules and regulations, necessary materials and processes, maintenance and an on-farm demonstration.

Composting is a naturally occurring process that breaks down the carcass into basic elements via microorganisms and heat generated during composting.

“Composting is a simple process that requires few materials and minimal maintenance,” says Mary Keena, NDSU Extension livestock environmental management specialist.

Keena offers the following tips on how to build a successful mortality compost pile or windrow:

• Build a pile if composting one animal.
• Build a windrow if composting several animals.
• Use material such as straw or old hay for the base; manure or spoiled silage for the bulking material; and straw, old hay or sawdust as cover material.

She also provides the process for composting:

• Start with 2 feet of base material in a windrow or pile, depending on how many carcasses will be composted.
• Lay the carcass on top of the base. Have at least 1 foot of base material between the perimeter of the carcass and the edge of the base.
• Cover the carcass with 8 to 10 inches of bulking material.
• Cover the entire pile or windrow with 2 feet of cover material. The cover material should be placed on the top and sides, with no part of the carcass showing. The pile needs a good cap to keep predators out and seal in heat.

To learn about the maintenance and intricacies of composting livestock and poultry mortalities, attend the livestock and poultry mortality composting workshop in July.

Registration is appreciated for food preparation purposes and can be done by contacting the NDSU Extension office in Morton County at 701-667-3340 or by emailing Russell at jaden.russell@ndsu.edu. More information can be found on the event website at ndsu.ag/mortoncompost25.

The Golden Nugget is located at 1200 Eighth St. N in New Salem, North Dakota.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – June 23, 2025

Source: Jaden Russell, 701-667-3340, jaden.russell@ndsu.edu

Source: Mary Keena, 701-652-2951, mary.keena@ndsu.edu

Editor: Dominic Erickson, 701-231-5546, dominic.erickson@ndsu.edu