VPE 511: Environment and Environmental Hygiene (2+1)

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Public Relations

• Problems arise when suing burial pits and from burying a carcass to near to a neighbor’s well. The neighbors complain about burial pits when any smell comes from the farm; they assume it is from the pit or when carcasses are not properly covered each day and dogs or wild animals drag off parts of the carcasses.

Rendering

• Rendering offers the grower the chance to create a recyclable feed product if it is submitted to the renderer with proper handling.

Advantages

• Recyclable resources
• Can use year-round

Disadvantages

• Lack of bio-security with pick up of carcasses.
• Cost
• Not available in all areas
• Not available for all species

Recommendations

• Get on an annual contract with the renderer rather than a “per call” charge.
• If large enough farm, get on a scheduled weekly or twice weekly pick-up route.
• Use “off-site” pickup points for bio-security purposes.
• Consider refrigerated “off-site” pickup points.

Do

• Know what substances the animals were exposed to, to avoid residue problems in the rendered product.
• Must be animal – proof enclosure at least 200 yards from neighbor’s buildings.
• Carcasses may not be left for more than 72 hrs. unless refrigerated – then 7 days
• Be aware of potential disease spread from a rendering truck.
• Vehicles or containers must be leak proof and covered to haul carcasses over the road.

Don’t

• Delay calling for carcass pickup
• Leave carcasses where other animals can drag them off
• Leave carcasses in public view

Public Relations

• What upsets neighbors the most are carcasses left where other animals can drag them into their yards or where the carcasses can be seen from the road. “Off-site” pickup points are required to be animal-proof enclosures