Dead Farm Animal? Who Ya Gonna Call?

[marketeye]

Recently, I heard of a cow/calf operator, admittedly a small operator, had a bull die. When he called the rendering plant for pick up service, the company said if he couldn't get the animal to a plant that could separate out the spine and brains then he should just take it to a local landfill.

The livestocker was frustrated that his options were not very practical. So, take it to a facility hours away, bury it, or take the animal to the local landfill. What?

Has anyone else felt this frustation? And what do you do with the deadstock? I'm being told rendering companies are offering less and less of deadstock collection?

What say you?

Mike

[SupremeFarms]

To me dead stock is an unwanted tax deduction.  I would not waste time and spend money getting the animal to a rendering plant.  

If one of our bovines dies for an unknown reason and we are concerned it could be the start of a herd health issue; we will haul it to a vet, have it posted, and pay the vet the posting and disposal fees.  Otherwise, we bury the dead bovines if we get to them before the coyotes finish dinner.

[marketeye]

SupremeFarms,

So, the vet tacks on the disposal fee? Roughly what does it cost to have the vet handle the disposal? And do you have a front-end loader or some other construction equipment to bury the animal? I wouldn't think a skid-steer would be able to dig a deep enough hole.

Thanks,

Mike

[k-289]

Rock  &  hard  spot  -  depending on  the diagnosis,  taking an animal carcass home would be an option except in summer months - - -    

[BA Deere]

"shut up and shovel"

[SupremeFarms]

My dad has equipment that is capable of burying the dead bovines.

I would have to look up records to know what the exact charges from the vet for posting and disposal were; and since it has been more than a year since we have gone that route, digging the records out seems like more hassle than this post justifies.

[SupremeFarms]

I really like your Sergeant Schultz example.  Simple, Classic, and Spot on!

[marketeye]

So, I did some digging on this issue, no pun intended. But, it's true, rendering plants are getting more selective as to which dead animals that that they will pick up at the farm. Has this happened to you?

Full story:  Fewer Takers of Livestock That Become Deadstock

What say you?

Mike

[SupremeFarms]

Interesting article.

Thanks for posting the link.