University of Kentucky Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering; Agriculture and Natural Resources
Composting can provide animal producers with a convenient method for disposing of animal mortalities and also provide a valuable soil amendment. In addition, the finished compost can be stockpiled and reused to compost other mortalities. Composting is a natural decomposition process conducted by microorganisms that can be controlled under managed conditions. It reduces the size of the material by removing organic products, water, and energy as carbon dioxide, vapor, and heat. Also, the pathogens that cause approximately 80 percent of animal mortalities are destroyed by the high temperatures reached during the composting process.
Strategic Winter Feeding of Cattle using a Rotational Grazing Structure
University of Kentucky Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering; Animal and Food Sciences
Winter feeding of cattle is a necessary part of nearly all cow-calf operations. In winter months livestock producers often confine animals to smaller "sacrifice" pastures to reduce the area damaged from winter feeding. A poorly chosen site for winter feeding can have significant negative impacts on soil and water quality. Such areas include locations in floodplains, such as those along creek bottoms or around barns near streams. These locations are convenient, flat areas for setting hay ring feeders; however, their negative effects on water quality out weight the convenience.
