The facts of life and death – correct carcass disposal an essential
part of biosecurity plans
By Dr Sarah-Jane Wilson, Livestock Biosecurity Network Northern Regional Manager
Death, unfortunately, is one of the most inescapable elements of life and one that, when it occurs
within the livestock production chain, raises a litany of biosecurity issues.
Animal carcasses can pose a serious risk to both human and animal health, can jeopardise
biosecurity and impose a range of environmental impacts if not properly disposed of. These risks
can include polluting water courses, spreading disease and interfering with community amenity.
The old practice of simply leaving a carcass anywhere in the paddock to rot simply does not stack up
in a modern livestock industry where the implications of incorrect carcass management are better
understood.
In fact, depending on where you live, there may be local, state or national regulatory requirements
that relate to your on-farm waste management procedures and I encourage you to make yourself
familiar with these obligations.
We strongly recommend carcass disposal is integrated into your on-farm biosecurity plan and that
you consider the methods available to dispose of animal carcasses or animal waste products
including hide, gut or bones after home slaughter or wool that is not suitable for baling. Another
important consideration is the equipment you may need to assist in this disposal.
If you live on a small farm, your best alternative may be to engage a specialist disposal service as
opposed to burial or on-site burning. Again, there may be some regulatory requirements for
producers in higher density areas and I encourage you to seek the advice of your local council or
departmental staff to ensure you adhere to any applicable guidelines. Generally speaking burial is
often the most practical and preferred method of disposal on a small farm if you do not have access
to a disposal service.
For all producers, your geographic location and common endemic diseases should be taken into
consideration. For example, if you live in a botulism affected area, burning is the recommended and
preferred method. Botulism spores can live in the soil for many years, so simply burying the carcass
will not suffice.
If you have multiple sudden deaths in your herd or flock, and/or do not know the cause of death,
then it is best practice to investigate. Your local veterinarian or animal health/biosecurity officer may
be able to provide further information. If you suspect an emergency or unusual disease, you should
report this as soon as possible to your local animal health authority.
For more information, the NSW Environmental Protection Agency and the Tasmanian Environmental
Protection Agency provide some good advice, as do most of the other applicable state departments,
on how to effectively and responsibly dispose of the livestock carcasses on your property.
Top tips
Choosing a site (Source: NSW EPA)
If the carcasses must be disposed of on-site, it is preferable to have:
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A burial area at least 100m away from houses or watercourses
The pit base at least 1m above the level of the watertable
Heavy soil of low permeability and good stability
Good access to the site for earthmoving machinery and stock transport unless the stock
are to be walked in for slaughter.
Other pit considerations (Source: Tas EPA)
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Sawdust can be added to the bottom of pits to reduce risk of leachate generation
It is not recommended that lime be added to pits unless there is a biosecurity reason for
doing so as this will reduce the decomposition rate of the carcasses
Surface drainage should be directed away from the pit location by setting up diversion
drains up slope of the pit location
When full, the pit must be covered with a minimum of 1m soil. The soil should be
mounded over the pit to prevent rain collecting and it should be remembered the pit
cover will subside as the carcasses break down.
If you need to burn (Source: NSW EPA)
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To reduce swelling during decomposition, the abdomens and paunches of all the carcasses
should be opened to allow gases to escape.
The carcasses should be sprayed with sump oil if immediate burial or burning is impractical.
They should be heaped in a secluded spot away from watercourses and sump oil should be
spread liberally over the heap. The oil discourages flies and scavenger and the heap can
then be burned later.
Planning ahead for what to do with a carcass or, multiple carcasses in the event of a natural disaster,
can substantially reduce the stress of the moment. It can also make a dramatic contribution to the
biosecurity soundness of your property and our greater livestock industries.
Here at LBN we’ve designed a small template to assist producers in thinking through the options that
best work for them. This can be found at: http://www.lbn.org.au/farm-biosecurity-tools/on-farmbiosecurity-planning-tools/.
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Dr Sarah-Jane Wilson is the Livestock Biosecurity Network’s regional officer for Northern
Australia. She can be contacted or 0437 725 877 or email [email protected].
Ends.
LBN is an independent industry initiative established by the Cattle Council of Australia, Sheepmeat
Council of Australia and WoolProducers Australia - the initiative will be funded over a three-year pilot
period by industry levies held in trust.
LBN provides producers with practical information about implementing on-farm animal health,
welfare and biosecurity measures to deal with the many risks producers face.
LBN regional officers are working closely with existing farming networks, raising awareness of
biosecurity risks and the need to be prepared for possible outbreaks of exotic or endemic diseases
and harmful pests, including on-farm biosecurity plans.