[USCC] Biosolids

[Andrew Niv]

To answer your question of emergency poultry or other mortality
composting please refer to the Iowa University research trials from some
3-4 years ago..
Based on own experience and conclusions from the research I'd recommend the
following strategy:
1. in specific production areas limited to feasible numbers of carcasses to
be processed one must identify
the proper site from the point of view of social acceptance, environment and
logistics.
2. Lets say for example we limit ourselves to 100 growout houses for
broilers. In each we have say 100 000 broilers
weighing on average 1 pound. This gives us  4550 tons of  carcasses to be
composted. The site will need the same amount of DRY
bulking material stored at the site - 4550 tons of bailed straw the best.
Assuming a bail of straw takes 2 cu.m. space and weighs
1000 lbs, it means storing over long time 9000 bails on a surface of 3000
sq. yards, when stacked 4 bails high.
3. The site must be prepared for immediate use: insulation from ground
water, fencing and access.  Also some heavy equipment
like front loaders must be secured and available at hours notice.
4. The composting piles should be several for easy access and manipulation.
Assuming specific weight of biomass being around 0.5 kg/liter
(sorry to use metric units but it is easier for me) and stacking 3,5 yards
high piles one needs total of 7000 sq. yards of prepared, insulated surface.
By insulation I mean PE foil like the one  used in lagoons. I'd divide the
surface in 5 at least, adding access and borders one needs 11000 sq. yards
fenced and posted.  in this area 5-6 piles to be formed.
5. In case of emergency materializing the moralities are brought
successively and spread over the first 2' of straw in as many layers of 
straw
and carcasses as feasible
finishing up with final layer of at least 3' of straw. One must consider
winds and rain in the sense of protecting the straw from being blown away or
heavily soaked by rain.
The key is to ensure air access to the inner part of the pile. probably used
tires will do wind wise.
6. according to the Iowa University research and my own experience if
sufficient amounts of straw will be used within a year there will be huge
pile of
excellent fertilizer sitting there for use. Safe and cheap.

How much would it cost?
This amount of land should cost here in Poland $4000, Plastic foil for the 
project around $40 000,
fence 450 m - $9 000, straw some $130 000, earth works - $10 000. Total of ~ 
$200 000 giving $2000 per house.
If a disaster happens every 5 years it will cost roughly 0,1 cents per 
broiler grown.

It would also work for 10 000 cattle or 70 000 hogs.

Andrew



> Does anyone have a set of "dos and don'ts" when it comes to the
> composting of Biosolids and/or Catastrophic Poultry Mortality, the
> process as well as facility type and site selection.
> Any information would be greatly appreciated, many thanks.
>
> Bill Carney, Ph.D.
> Associate Professor and Head
> W. A. Callegari Environmental Center
> Louisiana State University AgCenter
> P.O. Box 25100
> Baton Rouge, LA  70894-5100
> Office:  225-578-6998
> Fax:  225-578-7765
> Labs:  225-765-5155
> bcarney at agcenter.lsu.edu
> http://www.lsuagcenter.com/callegari/
>
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