Transcript 2006 PSU PDA Cattle Composting Study

2006 PSU PDA Cattle
Composting Study
Hobo Data Loggers
J. Craig Williams
Penn State Coop. Extension
Composting.cas.psu.edu
NACAA AM/PIC
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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 cocomposting material, like old silage,
sawdust, or dry stall bedding (some semisolid 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.
6 month
old
Compost
Reuse 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
Start January
March
HOBO Data
Recorders
every 6 hours
for 6 months
Bishop
Started Second Pile Late January -July
ID Temperature points
Start June to August 2006
Hobo Recorders