Abstract

Effective management of animal mortalities, particularly during foreign animal disease (FAD) outbreaks, is essential for maintaining biosecurity and preventing environmental contamination. For swine producers, the need for rapid, scalable, and cost-effective carcass disposal methods has become increasingly important in light of the risks posed by diseases like African Swine Fever (ASF) and Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) virus. These diseases can lead to mass animal mortalities, overwhelming traditional disposal methods such as incineration and rendering. Composting is a viable alternative for many catastrophic situations and may be a preferred option. However there will be situations when the resources required to successfully complete composting makes it impractical or not feasible. In such cases, shallow burial with carbon (SBC) offers a practical alternative that can be implemented on-farm, reducing the time and resources needed for carcass management while also minimizing the environmental footprint (Flory et al., 2017).

SBC not only provides swine producers with a tool for addressing carcass disposal during emergency situations but also offers long-term benefits by reducing the potential for nutrient runoff and groundwater contamination. By creating a carbon-rich layer under carcasses, SBC may enhance decomposition and mitigates the spread of pathogens, which is particularly valuable during disease outbreaks where biosecurity is a priority. As swine producers increasingly face regulatory pressure to implement environmentally sustainable practices, the integration of SBC into their mortality management plans could help meet these demands while ensuring compliance with environmental and health regulations (Miller et al., 2020).

Traditional carcass disposal methods, while effective, are not always feasible during large-scale outbreaks due to their logistical challenges and higher costs (Brown, 2007; Flory et al., 2019). SBC has been shown to offer a promising solution, particularly when high-quality carbon sources, such as wood chips or straw, are used (Miller et al., 2016). However, many swine producers may only have access to low-quality carbon materials like mulch or corn stover, whose effectiveness in facilitating decomposition is not well understood. This research addresses that gap by evaluating whether low-quality carbon feedstocks can be used effectively in SBC systems, providing critical information for swine producers looking for practical solutions during disease emergencies.

This study also investigates the impact of grinding carcasses on the SBC process, exploring whether pre-processing can accelerate decomposition and further mitigate environmental risks. By focusing on nutrient dynamics and the role of carcass reduction, this research provides important insights that will help swine producers optimize SBC systems, enhancing their ability to respond to disease outbreaks and protect both human and animal health and the environment.