NRAES •
Natural Rendering Video
Captures
a Blue Ribbon
Contact: NRAES
for immediate release
October 2003
Natural Rendering:
Composting Livestock Mortality and Butcher Waste, NRAES–163 ($19.00 plus S&H/sales tax, 20
minutes, 2002) was produced by Jean Bonhotal of the Cornell Waste Management
Institute,
This 20-minute video
takes a look at livestock mortality and butcher residual composting—an
effective, economical, and environmentally sound alternative when rendering
services are unavailable. Operator interviews at six on-farm livestock
composting operations reveal how mortality composting can be implemented without
having to purchase additional farm equipment. An added benefit is that the
composting process reduces odors and pathogens.
From an economic
perspective, composting provides a desperately needed option for livestock
producers and butchers, faced with the high cost of disposal, to reduce their
overhead. In 2002, disposal costs ranged up to $70 per cow, $200 per horse, $60
per pig, and $20 per barrel of butcher residuals. Due to the fluctuation in
prices of hides, tallow, meat, and other products, many small rendering
operations have been forced to close, while others have been forced to charge
for pickup. Farmers and butchers in an increasing number of areas may not have
access to these services at all.
This video will be
useful to dairy farmers, livestock producers, poultry farmers, butchers,
agriculture advisors, extension educators, and others.
Natural Rendering:
Composting Livestock Mortality and Butcher Waste, NRAES–163, is available for $19.00 per copy (plus
shipping and handling) from NRAES (the Natural Resource, Agriculture, and
Engineering Service), Cooperative Extension,