2006 PSU PDA Cattle Composting Study Hobo Data Loggers J. Craig Williams Penn State Coop. Extension...

2006 PSU PDA Cattle Composting StudyHobo Data Loggers

J. Craig Williams

Penn State Coop. Extension

Composting.cas.psu.edu

NACAA AM/PIC

• 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 co-composting material, like old silage, sawdust, or dry stall bedding (some semi-solid 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.

Reuse old compost

6 month 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

HOBO Data Recorders

every 6 hours for 6 months

Start January

March

Bishop

Started Second Pile Late January -July

ID Temperature points

Start June to August 2006

Hobo Recorders