A small-scale cattle composting trial is underway until the end of 2025 at Agriculture Victoria’s Rutherglen site.
The trial is part of Agriculture Victoria’s Emergency Animal Disease Preparedness Program and is funded by the Livestock Biosecurity Fund.
Cattle carcasses are being composted in windrows, along with green waste and other organic matter.
The cattle were sourced from a Victorian farm and died of weed toxicity – they pose no disease risk.
The trial has Environment Protection Authority (EPA) approval, with strict environmental and odour monitoring processes in place.
Agriculture Victoria Director Biosecurity Strategy Dr Julie Simons said the trial will help Agriculture Victoria consider how composting could be used on-farm, including in the event of an emergency animal disease outbreak.
“Managing dead livestock is an important part of biosecurity planning, and this trial will help us to better prepare for different options to manage dead livestock in an emergency animal disease outbreak,” Simons said.
“When done correctly, composting can be an effective and safe way to manage dead livestock and control disease – but it requires some forward planning to make sure you have the correct site and the machinery to minimise any biosecurity, environmental or other risks.”
Agriculture Victoria will closely monitor the trial with advice from an environmental consultant who specialises in the composting of animal mortalities.
“Composting is an active process, so the community can expect to see some movements on site over the coming months as the windrows are carefully managed,” Simons said.
If an emergency animal disease outbreak is declared, Agriculture Victoria is responsible for the destruction and disposal of animal carcasses, including those that can be buried or composted on-farm.
For more information, visit: www.agriculture.vic.gov.au
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