Post on 02-Feb-2016
description
2006 PSU PDA Cattle Composting StudyHobo Data Loggers
J. Craig Williams
Penn State Coop. Extension
Composting.cas.psu.edu
NACAA AM/PIC
• Basic Mortality Composting Project
• Onset Data Loggers
• Experiences
• J. Craig Williams, Dairy Agronomy Agent– Tioga County, Pa– 16 Years Extension
Natural Rendering: Composting Livestock Mortality
• Penn State and Pa Dept of Agriculture
• Composting procedures
• Downer cow update/ Dead cow update
• Cornell Waste Mgnt. Int. And Maine Compost Team
Siting for Composting
Select site that is well-drained, at least 200 ft from water courses, sinkholes, seasonal seeps or other landscape features that indicate the area is hydrologically sensitive.
Wood Chip Bed
Lay 24-in bed of bulky, absorbing organic material containing some sizeable pieces (4 to 6-in long). Utility and municipal wood chips work well.
Recipe for Small Animals
For young animals, layer mortalities with a minimum of 2 feet of co-composting material.
Recipe for Large Animal
Covering Carcass
Cover carcass with dry, high-carbon co-composting material, like old silage, sawdust, or dry stall bedding (some semi-solid manure will expedite the process).
Composting continued
• Let set for 4-6 months.
• Turn only if desired after 3 months.
• Reuse bones as part of next base.
Reuse old compost
6 month old
Compost
Onset Hobo Data Loggers
• Onset – Data Loggers and Weather stations– Indoor, Outdoor,
Underwater and Tilt/Acc.– Hobo U12-008
• $199– 20 Foot cable-$35 each
• Total $339 set up
– Shuttle $169– Boxcar Software $99
• Total $268 Office
• www.onsetcomp.com/• hobologgers.com
• PSU PDA Project was to document Real Farm Composting temperature, including internal carcass
HOBO 008
Graphing
Cow Compost
Dairy Farm Cow Temp’s
HOBO Data Recorders
every 6 hours for 6 months
Start January
March
Bishop
Started Second Pile Late January -July
ID Temperature points
Start June to August 2006
Hobo Recorders