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