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Incineration of Dead Farm Animals
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Incineration is an acceptable method of disposing of dead farm animals (deadstock). If done correctly, using the proper equipment, incineration can reduce the carcasses to an inert ash. The poultry industry has long used this method for the disposal of mortalities that occur in regular operation. Units capable of incinerating larger quantities of poultry or large animal carcasses cost more and take up more space. The initial expense of the incinerator, the cost of fuel and the maintenance of the incinerator makes this an expensive option but it has its advantages. What is Incineration?Incineration is defined as fuel-assisted cremation of animal carcasses. Specially designed on-farm incineration units use fuel, temperature controls and enclosed environments to reach high temperatures and secondary combustion (afterburner on flue) to reduce gaseous emissions. Under Ontario Regulation (O. Reg.) 106/09, Disposal of Dead Farm Animals, Nutrient Management Act, 2002, the incineration of carcasses requires an enclosed primary burn chamber capable of sustaining high temperatures for specified periods of time. The incinerator must be equipped with an afterburner (secondary chamber) that reduces particulate and gas emissions, thus reducing odour and smoke. The incinerator must have an Environmental Technology Verification Program (ETV Canada) "verification certificate" certifying that it has a secondary chamber that can maintain the temperatures of the gases entering it for at least 1 second at 1,000°C or 2 seconds at 850°C (Figure 1). Deadstock must be incinerated until, on a visual inspection, there is no remaining soft animal tissue, bones or bone fragments larger than 15 cm in any dimension, and no remaining other animal matter larger than 25 mm in any dimension. Figure 1. Incinerator designed for small animals. Operators who own incinerators purchased prior to the implementation of the March 2009 regulation have 3 years to upgrade any units that do not satisfy the above requirements. The 3-year transition period does not apply to horses, goats, sheep, swine or cattle. Piling carcasses, dousing them with fuel and igniting the pile is not an acceptable method of incineration; nor is feeding them into an outdoor furnace (Figure 2). Homemade incinerators, usually constructed from 45-gallon barrels or other metal drums, are also not permitted. These methods do not adequately control the emission of contaminants into the air and are not permitted under O. Reg. 106/09. Advantages of IncinerationUsing fuel-assisted incineration equipment to dispose of deadstock has definite advantages. A major advantage is biosecurity: high temperature incineration destroys pathogens. This method removes deadstock from public view and reduces the potential for attraction of scavengers and flies. Figure 2. Improper method of incineration. Modern incineration equipment reduces the carcasses to an inert ash. If properly maintained, the equipment is easy to operate and does not require excessive labour. The operator loads the deadstock into the incinerator and sets the controls for complete burning. The incinerator requires periodic observation, routine maintenance and clean-out of ash. Incineration is a useful alternative in areas where poor drainage, or close proximity to bedrock, groundwater or surface water prevent burial and composting. The small amount of waste by-products (ash) is easily disposed of by adding it to the manure storage for future land application. Types of IncineratorsCertified, commercially available incinerators are generally the best equipment to ensure proper burn and to avoid creating pollution. Incinerators usually operate on diesel, natural gas or propane. To be in compliance with O. Reg. 106/09, fit the discharge stacks with afterburning devices. Diesel-fuelled incinerators require 4–12 L of fuel per 45 kg of carcass. Large carcasses are more difficult to burn and require more fuel per weight of carcass to reduce them to ash. A mature cow must be cut into smaller pieces prior to incineration, which increases the labour requirement and the potential for injury to the worker. When purchasing an incinerator, consider the following:
Sizing of UnitChoose an incinerator sized for the expected loading and animal dimensions. Under the regulation, a maximum of 1,000 kg of dead farm animals can be incinerated in a 24-hr period. Incinerators that are used for incinerating deadstock must not be used to incinerate any other material. A unit for poultry incineration will not require as large a chamber as one used for swine or cattle. Operations that incinerate their mortalities as they occur, rather than accumulating carcasses for less frequent disposal, will require a smaller unit. Furthermore, storing carcasses can result in extra operational costs and increased biosecurity risks. Estimating mortality volumes for different livestock operations is not an exact science and depends on management skills and practices. Other factors affecting mortality include:
Table 1 is based on records from livestock operations in North America and can be used for estimating mortality volumes. Estimates can also be made from previous farm records if available. Location of IncineratorPlace the incinerator in a location that allows for convenient use. Take care to avoid potential problems such as odour complaints. Locate the unit downwind from operations, farm residences and neighbours. Protecting the incinerator from the forces of nature by placing it on a concrete slab under a shelter can extend the life of the unit. Because of the intense heat that is generated, maintain clearance between the discharge stack and any wooden structure in accordance with the Building Code. Any combustible roof parts must be at least 45 cm from the incinerator chimney. O. Reg. 106/09 requires incinerators to be located:
In addition, locate incinerators:
Cost of OperationThe cost of incineration equipment varies among different manufacturers and with incinerator capacity and operational features. Other costs associated with the incinerator are:
Some considerations in evaluating the cost of operating incinerators include the burn rate and price of fuel. Incineration costs vary depending on weight, moisture and fat content of the carcasses and the loading capacity of the unit. As the size of the carcass increases, so does the burn time. Figure 3. Installing new parts on a commercial incinerator. Maintenance costs include replacing expendable parts and grates every 2 or 3 years. The entire unit may require complete refurbishment or replacement every 5–7 years (Figure 3). ConclusionIncineration of farm mortalities is an acceptable method of disposal. In the past, more nuisance complaints were generated by improper combustion practices than by any other means of disposal. Follow regulatory requirements and manufacturer's operating procedures for locating and operating the unit, and maintain the units to proper operating specifications. Consider the start-up and ongoing costs of operating an incineration unit relative to other disposal options. Table 1. Estimated Death Losses for Farm Operations in Ontario.
Total Number of Dead per Year: 13 Total Carcass Weight (kg): 3,050 kg Total kg/unit/year: 30.50/cow/year
Total Number of Dead per Year: 20 Total Carcass Weight (kg): 7,253 kg Total kg/unit/year: 7.25/feeder/year
Total Number of Dead per Year: 14 Total Carcass Weight (kg): 2,786 kg Total kg/unit/year: 27.86/cow/year
Total Number of Dead per Year: 20 Total Carcass Weight (kg): 458 kg Total kg/unit/year: 4.58/doe/year
Total Number of Dead per Year: 0.4 Total Carcass Weight (kg): 126 kg Total kg/unit/year: 12.61/horse/year
Total Number of Dead per Year: 399 Total Carcass Weight (kg): 321 kg Total kg/unit/year: 0.32/breeding female/year
Total Number of Dead per Year: 678 Total Carcass Weight (kg): 522 kg Total kg/unit/year: 5.2/breeding doe/year
Total Number of Dead per Year: 24,000 Total Carcass Weight (kg): 18,240 kg Total kg/unit/year: 0.03/broiler/year
Total Number of Dead per Year: 900 Total Carcass Weight (kg): 2,457 kg Total kg/unit/year: 0.25/breeder hen/year
Total Number of Dead per Year: 550 Total Carcass Weight (kg): 788 kg Total kg/unit/year: 0.08/layer hen/year
Total Number of Dead per Year: 2,400 Total Carcass Weight (kg): 6,392 kg Total kg/unit/year: 0.16/turkey hen/year
Total Number of Dead per Year: 3,000 Total Carcass Weight (kg): 14,920 kg Total kg/unit/year: 0.50/turkey tom/year
Total Number of Dead per Year: 4,212 Total Carcass Weight (kg): 22,602 kg Total kg/unit/year: 22.60/sow/year
Total Number of Dead per Year: 150 Total Carcass Weight (kg): 1,875 kg Total kg/unit/year: 0.29/weaner/year
Total Number of Dead per Year: 60 Total Carcass Weight (kg): 3,460 kg Total kg/unit/year: 1.15/finisher/year
Total Number of Dead per Year: 25 Total Carcass Weight (kg): 700 kg Total kg/unit/year: 7.00/meat ewe/year
Total Number of Dead per Year: 70 Total Carcass Weight (kg): 9,403 kg Total kg/unit/year: 9.40/grain-fed veal/year
Total Number of Dead per Year: 100 Total Carcass Weight (kg): 10,167 kg Total kg/unit/year: 4.07/milk-fed veal/year 1 For operations with more than one cycle/year, death losses appear deceivingly high (eg. 100,000 chicken broilers x 6 cycles/year x 4% mortality rate = 24,000 dead birds per year. 2 Average weights are used as in NMAN software: skewed toward the smaller weights in the range. 3 Operation sizes are in multiples of 10. Scale up or down as required. 4 Includes industry standard '2% extra' day olds delivered to farm. 5 Does not include spiking with new roosters when older ones are shipped or euthanized because of breeding problems. Do you know about Ontario's new Deadstock Regulations under the Nutrient Management Act, 2002 (NMA)?This Factsheet is for informational purposes only and is not, and should not be, construed as legal advice. In the event of a conflict between this Factsheet and the NMA and/or O. Reg. 106/09, the NMA and/or O. Reg. 106/09 govern. Please review the NMA and O. Reg. 106/09 and, if you have any questions about the application or interpretation of these regulations or have other legal questions, consult a lawyer. Also consult with the applicable federal legislation (if any) in this area to ensure that you are also in compliance with federal requirements regarding the disposal of farm animals that die on a farm. For more information on the NMA, call the Nutrient Management Information Line at 1-866-242-4460, e-mail nman.omafra@ntario.ca or visit www.ontario.ca/omafra. Factsheets are continually being updated so please ensure that you have the most recent version. For more information: Toll Free: 1-877-424-1300 Local: (519) 826-4047 E-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca |
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