Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Improper disposal of carcasses containing veterinary drugs has resulted in the death of domestic animals and wildlife. Composting of mortalities has been performed successfully to reduce pathogen levels, nutrient release and biosecurity risks. Properly built mortality compost piles deter scavenging by wildlife and other animals. Composting is a self-heating, aerobic process that accelerates the degradation of organic materials by the successive action of a diverse group of microorganisms, including mesophiles, thermophiles, bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi. Due to the temperatures reached, and the activity of the microorganisms, composting results in the destruction of pathogens in manure and carcasses. However, pathogens are not the only concern in manure and carcass composting. There is concern that drugs used in the livestock industry in feed and for health or for euthanasia may not degrade and will persist in compost, soil and/or leachate, causing threats to the environment and humans. 2 classes of drugs commonly used in the livestock and horse industry include barbiturates for euthanasia and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) for relief of pain and inflammation. The first and second years of this study were dedicated to quantifying the concentration of sodium pentobarbital (a barbiturate) and phenylbutazone (an NSAID) in liver samples placed in the compost pile, in the compost itself, in the soil on which the compost pile was built and in leachate coming out of the compost pile. There are 3-4 states that CWMI is working with which are conducting similar research to verify all results. Year 3 of this project, the focus was on the fate of anthelmintics in manure composting. Anthelmintics are chemical formulations used to control external and internal parasites such as ticks, flies, lice and worms. The most commonly used is Ivermectin (a macrocyclic lactone) which is highly lipophilic, and following administration is stored in animal fat tissue from where it is slowly released, metabolized and excreted, primarily in the feces. Concern has been raised that the use of anti-parasitic agents in livestock may adversely affect harmless or beneficial organisms which breed in or feed on dung as concentration in the feces can stay high for 40 days. Since macrocyclic lactones are susceptible to aerobic biodegradation in soils, it would be expected to be susceptible to degradation in a compost pile as well. On 9-16-11 a compost pile was built using manure and bedding cleaned from the stalls of 60 horses that had been dewormed according to label instructions. Over the following 183 days, manure only, manure plus bedding, compost, and soil samples were taken and Ivermectin was quantified. In addition, soil microbial activity, in the form of potentially mineralized nitrogen, was assessed to see if Ivermectin in the organic material has any adverse effect on the soil microorganisms. The information in both of these investigations helps vets and farmers that need to euthanize groups of animals to realize that animals that have been euthanized can be safely composted. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Karyn Bischoff, Cornell School of Vet Medicine; Dr David Wolfgang, Penn State University; Craig Williams, Penn State Cooperative Extension; Dr. Dale Roseboom, Michigan State University; Dr. Thomas Glanville, Iowa State University; Sally Rowland, NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation; Dr. Belinda Thompson, Cornell School of Vet Medicine; Jeanne Griffith, Cornell Dept of Animal Science; Dr. Charley Bulson, Private Vet; Dr. David Smith, Dept of Ag and Markets; Dr. Josh Payne, Animal Waste Management Specialist, Oklahoma State University; Jill Heemstra, Extension Educator, University of Nebraska; Dr. Saqib Mukhtar, Texas A&M University; Alexandre M. Brighenti, EMBRAPA-Dairy, Brazil; Marcelo Otenio, EMBRAPA-Sheep and Goat, Brazil; Cornell University Pro-Dairy. There is collaborative and parallel research occurring related to the fate drugs. We plan individually and in conferences. CWMI has been involved in developing two educational pieces on mortality management for the southeastern United States and arid southwest. CWMI has worked with over 15 state regulatory agencies and other country governments on this research and outreach. TARGET AUDIENCES: Cornell Waste Management Institute (CWMI) provides training to the agriculture industry in many formats including demonstrations, workshops, webinars, publications, conferences and CWMI's web site. People are involved in our research planning, trials and outreach. Our target audience includes: State agencies - so that they can set policy, give guidance and enforce regulation. Ag educators - (NRCS, SWCS, CAFO planners, RC&D, Depts. of Ag, Farm Bureau) to assist clients. Extension - is often working with us on research and outreach throughout projects. Veterinarians - question the persistence of the drugs and their affect and help analyze data. Solid waste managers - are involved in emergency planning and response. Farmers - involved in livestock production. The composition of our audience includes male and female; African Americans, Latino, Amish, Mennonite and many others from countries around the world. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Analysis from the first 2 years of this study indicates that NSAIDs and barbiturates do degrade during the composting process. Analysis from the 3rd year indicates that anthelmintics also degrade during the composting process and compost piles built from manure containing anthelmintics have no ill effects on the soil microorganisms under the pile. The results of this 3 year trial have been instrumental in helping to educate farmers and livestock owners on best management practices for mortality and manure disposal in order to comply with environmental and CAFO rules, keep domestic and wild animals safe, and helping to improve neighbor relations. It has also been instrumental in educating USDA APHIS veterinarians on the use of composting as a disposal method allowing them to be able to recommend it as a best management practice. The acceptance and use of this technique has helped with carcass and manure disposal economics as it is a very low cost and available option. The understanding that the end-product can be used, either on farm fields or for planting trees, shrubs and ornamentals, without harm to humans, animals and the environment is invaluable. This information has been widely spread in publications, conferences, web pages and directly with agencies that develop policy. In 19 events, CWMI provided assistance to over 1460 people including NY farmers, agricultural advisors, businesses & municipalities that compost manure, mortality, improving water quality & economics. Extension educators, veterinarians, agency staff and composters were reached with research-based information, which helps set direction for research, policy and outreach. A video and fact sheet for horse owners; Horse Mortality: Carcass Disposal Alternatives: http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/horsefs.pdf and Natural Rendering for Horses - Composting Horse Mortality Video: http://hdl.handle.net/1813/29538 were developed and distributed with results from the research projects.
Publications
- Schwarz, M., Bonhotal, J., Bischoff, K., Ebel, J. 2012. Fate of Barbiturates and Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs During Carcass Composting. Trends in Animal and Veterinary Sciences Journal, In Print.
- Bonhotal, J., Schwarz, M., Williams, C. and Swinkler, A. 2012. Horse Mortality: Carcass Disposal Alternatives. Cornell Waste Management Institute. 1-8.
- Bonhotal J, Schwarz M. 2012. Natural Rendering for Horses: Composting Horse Mortality. Cornell Waste Management Institute. 5:30 minute video. http://hdl.handle.net/1813/29538.
- Bonhotal, J. and Schwarz, M. 2012 update. US Mortality and Butcher Waste Disposal Laws Map. Website: http://compost.css.cornell.edu/mapsdisposal.html.
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Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Improper disposal of carcasses containing veterinary drugs has resulted in the death of domestic animals and wildlife. Composting of mortalities has been performed successfully to reduce pathogen levels, nutrient release and biosecurity risks. Properly constructed and managed mortality compost piles deter scavenging wildlife and other animals. Microbial activity in combination with sustained thermophilic temperatures results in the destruction of pathogens in manure and carcasses. However, pathogens are not the only concern in manure and carcass composting. There is concern that drugs used in the livestock industry in feed and for health or euthanasia may not degrade and could persist in compost, soil and/or leachate, causing threats to the environment and humans. Two classes of drugs commonly used in the livestock and horse industry include barbiturates for euthanasia and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) for relief of pain and inflammation. The first year of this study was dedicated to quantifying the level of sodium pentobarbital (a barbiturate) and phenylbutazone (an NSAID) in the liver of composted animals over time. Based on lessons learned from the first year of investigation, the research pile built in year 2 was constructed with a more intricate leachate collection system. Wiffle balls containing woodchips were placed under the horse to absorb extra fluids leaving the carcass and the medium was analyzed for the two veterinary pharmaceuticals, sodium pentobarbital and NSAID. Leachate collection troughs were placed on the pad from the centerline to the edge of the pile end-to-end with slopes going toward the outside of the pile. The troughs were covered with a base of woodchips. A 22-year old horse was euthanized by a licensed veterinarian on the woodchips, blood was collected, pre-filled woodchip containing wiffle balls were placed under the horse and all of it was covered with woodchips per proper mortality composting procedures. The entire pile was covered with a geotextile compost cover to keep rain and snow off the pile to ensure that most of the liquid was directed to the collection troughs. A second pile was constructed containing euthanized cow mortality. No leachate collection was placed in this pile but soil samples were taken to assess whether or not the pharmaceuticals were leaching into the soil where there was a woodchip bed but no collection troughs. Samples were taken over a 32-week period from the horse pile, 18 woodchip/compost, 2 compost, 2 soil and 10 leachate samples taken and analyzed for pentobarbital and phenylbutazone. Four soil samples were taken from under the cow pile in 2 sampling events and analyzed for pentobarbital and phenylbutazone. During these trials, CWMI has also been working with other state agencies, universities and countries. We continue to conduct research that will answer questions and corroborate information gained from each trial. With the research there is also a strong outreach component. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Karyn Bischoff, Cornell School of Vet Medicine; Dr David Wolfgang, Penn State University; Craig Williams, Penn State Cooperative Extension; Dr. Dale Roseboom, Michigan State University; Dr. Thomas Glanville, Iowa State University; Sally Rowland, NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation; Dr. Belinda Thompson, Cornell School of Vet Medicine; Jeanne Griffith, Cornell Dept of Animal Science; Dr. Charley Bulson, Private Vet; Dr. David Smith, Dept of Ag and Markets; Dr. Josh Payne, Animal Waste Management Specialist, Oklahoma State University; Jill Heemstra, Extension Educator, University of Nebraska; Dr. Saqib Mukhtar, Texas A&M University; Alexandre M. Brighenti, EMBRAPA-Dairy, Brazil; Marcelo Otenio, EMBRAPA-Sheep and Goat, Brazil; Cornell University Pro-Dairy. There is collaborative and parallel research occurring related to the fate drugs. We plan individually and in conferences. CWMI has been involved in developing two educational pieces on mortality management for the southeastern United States and arid southwest. CWMI has worked with over 15 state regulatory agencies and other country governments on this research and outreach. TARGET AUDIENCES: Cornell Waste Management Institute (CWMI) provides training to the agriculture industry in many formats including demonstrations, workshops, webinars, publications, conferences and CWMI's web site. People are involved in our research planning, trials and outreach. Our target audience includes: State agencies - so that they can set policy, give guidance and enforce regulation. Ag educators - (NRCS, SWCS, CAFO planners, RC&D, Depts. of Ag, Farm Bureau) to assist clients. Extension - is often working with us on research and outreach throughout projects. Veterinarians - question the persistence of the drugs and their affect and help analyze data. Solid waste managers - are involved in emergency planning and response. Farmers - involved in livestock production. The composition of our audience includes male and female; African Americans, Latino, Amish, Mennonite and many others from countries around the world. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Analysis from 2 years of sampling liver, compost, leachate, effluent and soil indicates that NSAIDs are at very low to non-detect in a very short time period. Barbiturates degrade or change during the composting process so that very little would be leaving the pile and over time in the compost piles they are reduced to a very low strength dose. Barbiturate poisoning in domestic and wild animals has occurred from ingestion of sodium pentobarbital euthanized animals. Composting carcasses creates sufficient heat during the time in which the carcass would be the most desirable to domestic and wild animals to deter them from digging in the pile to feed on the carcass. The diverse community of microorganisms in the compost pile aids in the quick degradation/biotransformation of pentobarbital, especially after the thermophilic phase of composting is over. Composting, as a means of disposal of euthanized or NSAID treated livestock, will deter domestic and wild animals from scavenging on treated carcasses when they contain the highest drug levels. The resulting compost contains either no or very low levels of both NSAIDs and barbiturates rendering it safe for use as a soil amendment. The results of the year 2 trial has been instrumental in helping to educate farmers, vets and horse owners on best management practices for mortality disposal in order to comply with environmental and CAFO rules and helps improve neighbor relations. The acceptance and use of this technique has helped with carcass disposal economics as it is a very low cost option. The understanding that the composting process transforms these compounds to low strength, increases disposal options and ultimately protects animals and the environment. During this period, various stakeholders were involved in the research and 4 related research projects came out of or paralleled this research. The Brazilian gov't was interested in sanitizing their livestock mortality so they sent a team of people that helped us set up year 2 research trials to learn methodology. They returned and developed their own programs with help from CWMI. VA DOT is developing policy for roadkill composting; their disposal costs are now 4.1 million annually. They conducted research trials and included evidence from CWMI and other research trials. OK and VA Tech are also conducting trials related to CWMI work. NJ is working to develop policy related to mortality and meat processing residuals. The 4th Int Symp on Managing Animal Mortality, Products, By-products & Assoc Health Risk: Connecting Research, Regs & Response, Dearborn, MI planned for 5/21/12, involves planning reps from 18 states: NY, PA, MD, MI, ME, CA, IA, TX, OK, VA, NC, DC, 4 Canadian Provinces & 5 countries. Info was shared with over 750 people in 12 venues and more will be reached as educational materials are completed and made available via the internet and in extension programs. Composting euthanized animal costs $170-380 for material, equipment, fuel and labor if woodchips from utility companies are purchased. Landfilling livestock costs $3-500, euthanized animals cannot be rendered, burial can cost $2 if rental equipment is required.
Publications
- Bonhotal, J., Schwarz, M. and Stehman S.M. 2011. How Mycobacterium Avium Paratuberculois is Affected by the Composting Process. Trends in Animal & Veterinary Sciences Journal. 2(1):5-10.
- Schwarz, M., Bonhotal, J. and Rozeboom,D. 2010. The Space It Takes - Footprint Calculator for Composting Butcher Waste. Cornell Waste Management Institute. p 1-8. http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/spaceittakes.pdf
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Managing mortalities through composting continues to be a focal point for research and outreach. Research has shown that well managed piles will not release a high concentration of nutrients into soil. However, there is concern that drugs used in the livestock industry in feed and for health or for euthanasia may not degrade and will persist in compost, soil and/or leachate, causing threats to the environment, animals and humans. The first year of this trial was intended to quantify the level of barbiturates (drug used for euthanasia) that is found in animal tissue, leachate and compost over time when the animal is disposed of in a mortality compost pile. Quantification of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) could be performed at the same time. The compost pad was prepared with a plastic liner, a hole at the downhill end of the plastic with a collection container in the hole to collect all leachate coming from the horse, plastic rectangle and the pile for analysis. Once the horse was euthanized, the liver was removed and cut into pieces that were then contained and re-inserted into the horse for later retrieval. Additional pieces of liver were buried in a 3-foot trench immediately adjacent to the compost pile to try to simulate burial. Over the following 32 weeks, 17 liver samples from the compost pile, 17 liver samples from the burial trench and 11 samples of leachate were analyzed for pentobarbital (barbiturate) and phenylbutazone (NSAID). One lesson learned was that the method with which we were trying to collect leachate ended up collecting all of the effluent (i.e. rainwater/snow from the environment and coming off of the pile as well as any leachate actually coming from the pile) which meant that values could be diluted based on the amount of precipitation prior to collection. Pentobarbital levels obtained from both the liver that was in the compost pile and the liver that had been buried showed equal rates of decay. This led us to believe that the drugs may not be degrading but leaching into the soil and/or the compost pile. A 2nd research trial will be conducted so that leachate collection would collect only leachate (reducing the chance of diluting the effluent), the horse would not be opened and woodchips under the horse would absorb body fluids and decaying animal tissue and would be collected rather than liver. The pad will not have a liner so soil samples under the pile will be taken. A compost cover will be used to control moisture in the pile. The laboratory procedures already in place for quantification of tissue levels of pentobarbital and phenylbutazone were adapted successfully for use with water and non-tissue compost material so samples were able to be quantified. Methods will be adapted to include soil in the next analyses. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Karyn Bischoff, Cornell School of Vet Medicine; Dr David Wolfgang, Penn State University; Craig Williams, Penn State Cooperative Extension; Dr. Dale Roseboom, Michigan State University; Dr. Thomas Glanville, Iowa State University; Sally Rowland, NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation; Dr. Belinda Thompson, Cornell School of Vet Medicine; Jeanne Griffith, Cornell Dept of Animal Science; Dr. Charley Bulson, Private Vet; Dr. David Smith, Dept of Ag and Markets; Dr. Josh Payne, Animal Waste Management Specialist, Oklahoma State University; Jill Heemstra, Extension Educator, University of Nebraska; Dr. Saqib Mukhtar, Texas A&M University; Alexandre M. Brighenti, EMBRAPA-Dairy, Brazil; Marcelo Otenio, EMBRAPA-Sheep and Goat, Brazil; Cornell University Pro-Dairy. There is collaborative and parallel research occurring related to the fate drugs. We plan individually and in conferences. CWMI has been involved in developing two educational pieces on mortality management for the southeastern United States and arid southwest. CWMI has worked with over 15 state regulatory agencies and other country governments on this research and outreach. TARGET AUDIENCES: Cornell Waste Management Institute (CWMI) provides training to the agriculture industry in many formats including demonstrations, workshops, webinars, updates, conferences and through CWMI's web site. People are involved in our research planning, trials and outreach. Our target audience includes: State agencies - so that they can set policy, give guidance and enforce regulation. Ag educators - (NRCS, SWCS, CAFO planners, RC&D, Depts. of Ag, Farm Bureau) to assist clients. Extension - is often working with us on research and outreach throughout projects. Veterinarians - question the persistence of the drugs and their affect and help analyze data. Solid waste managers - are involved in emergency planning and response. Farmers - involved in livestock production. The composition of our audience includes male and female, African Americans, Latino, Amish, Mennonite and many others from countries around the world. Educational Efforts: Mortality Composting: NYS DAM, 12/8/09, audience - Horse Council. Mortality Certified Crop Advisors, 12/9/09, audience - extension. Management of Livestock Carcasses, Univ of Maine & SARE, 12/10/09, webinar, audience - extension, environmental and ag agencies, educators. Mortality Composting, 12/17/09, audience - extension, solid waste agencies, regulators. The Role of Composting in Natural Disasters, US Composting Council's 18th Annual Conference & Trade Show, 1/25/10, audience - compost producers, environmental and ag agencies. Mortality Composting, Expanding Research & Extension Connections in Agriculture, NYSACAA, 3/12/10, audience - extension agents. Carcass Composting,West Virginia & VA Dept of Transportation, 3/16-17/10, audience - DOT, NRCS, env regulators, farms. Routine & Emergency Carcass Composting, Livestock & Poultry Mortality Composting, A Natural Rendering Process, webinar, 5/14/10, audience - extension, government agencies, environmental organizations, farmers, butchers. Investigating Landfills & Compost Facility Roles in Emergency Response in Mortality Disposal, Solid Waste & Recycling Conf & Trade Show, Federation of NYS Solid Waste Assoc, 5/17/10, audience - recycling coordinators, state/local officials, schools, institutions. Mortality Disposal, CAFO Seminar, webinar, 6/30/10, audience - DEC, CAFO. Mortality Disposal & Environmental Effects: 2010 Manure Expo, Balancing Production & Conservation, 7/15/10, audience - operators, producers. Mortality Composting: Pro-Dairy, 8/9/10, audience - farmers, vets, extension, ag professionals. Environmental Effects of Mortality Disposal: Canadian Compost Council, 9/23/10, audience - regulators, composters, agriculturalists, educators. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: We are conducting two trials with pentobarbital (barbiturate) and phenylbutazone (NSAID), since they are used at the same time, instead of one trial for each. This is allowing us to really assess where the pharmaceuticals are and the persistence or strength of each drug.
Impacts
Preliminary analysis of the persistence of barbiturates and NSAIDs in the composting process indicates that NSAIDs given to animals in normal dosages degrade from the liver within the first three weeks of composting and are not leaching. Barbiturates are not in the liver after 12 weeks of composting but further investigation needs to occur in the compost and soil under the pile. The second pile will help us understand more on the degradation of these drugs. We continue to work with a national group of advisors and collaborators on this project as we have interest in answering the fate of drugs question for many applications. The information we have gained thus far has been instrumental in helping to educate farmers on best management practices for mortality disposal in order to comply with environmental and CAFO rules and helping to improve neighbor relations. The acceptance and use of this technique has helped with carcass disposal and the improved economics, as this is a low cost disposal option. Further trials need to be completed to draw conclusions on how barbiturates act when composting euthanized carcasses. We have reached over 850 farms, butchers, regulators and agriculture educators with over 30 hours of information transfer. CWMI web site and eCommons received over 4 million hits in 2010. In 2010, we also participated in 5 webinars: 2 national eXtension and 3 NE SARE on mortality disposal, roadkill composting and managing butcher waste. CWMI facilitated a webinar on mortality composting and related research specifically for NYS Department of Environmental Conservation regulators that work with CAFO'S after multiple meetings had to be canceled due to budget limitations. CWMI also worked with 14 state environmental or agriculture agencies in other states on guidance for mortality composting.
Publications
- Bonhotal, J. and Schwarz, M. 2009. Environmental effects of mortality disposal. Proc. 3rd International Symposium: Management of Animal Carcasses, Tissue and Related By Products: Connecting Research, Regulations, and Response, University of ME. Davis, CA.
- Schwarz, M., Bonhotal, J., Rozeboom, D. 2010. The Space It Takes: Footprint calculator for composting butcher waste. Cornell Waste Management Institute.
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