Consider livestock disposal options before spring

// Biosecurity

As lambing and calving gets underway, Beef + Lamb New Zealand is reminding farmers to consider their carcass disposal options this spring.

calves and cows

Will Halliday, B+LNZ’s Senior Advisor Biosecurity and Animal Welfare, says in many parts of the country there are either limited or no slink collections, so it is up to individual farmers to make their own arrangements to deal with any losses.

“We are recommending farmers contact their normal service provider and if that service is still available, to make use of it. Otherwise, farmers will need to plan ahead and put procedures in place to safely dispose of any livestock losses.”

Will reminds farmers of the need to locate carcass and waste disposal areas well away from paddocks, yards and sheds.

These areas need to be secure and contained to prevent access by livestock, feral and domestic animals and wildlife. They should also be well away from waterways and water supplies.

He says composting is an option, however, it needs to be done properly and while the resulting compost can be spread on pasture, this pasture cannot be grazed while there is still visible contamination with composted material.

Rules around the burial and burning of animal waste vary between regional councils so farmers should be aware of the regulations in their region.

For more information on stock disposal, see our Drystock Bioscecurity Guidleines (PDF,  ) and the Federated Farmers Regional Guidelines on Stock Burial and Offal Pits (PDF, 166KB).