When discussing livestock production, attention often focuses on the visible aspects like pasture lands and meat processing facilities, while the challenges of managing deceased animals due to illness, injury, or adverse weather conditions are frequently overlooked.
In California, a state with significant dairy and beef industries, farmers face strict regulations regarding the disposal of dead animals. Composting on their own land is prohibited, and many counties also ban burial and burning. As a result, the only legal option for producers is to send deceased animals to rendering plants, which are limited in number and primarily located in the Central Valley, making access difficult for ranchers in Northern California.
Dr. Kasey DeAtley from Chico State’s College of Agriculture highlights the logistical challenges this poses. Together with Modoc County Farm Advisor Laura Snell, they have been working since 2017 to find a feasible solution. Their efforts culminated in the proposal of AB411 in 2024, a bill aimed at allowing farmers to compost dead animals and butchering byproducts, adhering to guidelines established by the Secretary of Food and Agriculture.
If AB411 is enacted, it would enable producers to compost routine livestock mortalities and remnants from on-farm butchering, a shift that Snell believes is crucial after years of research and regulatory navigation. As of now, the bill is progressing through the state legislature, having passed both the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committees, and awaits further consideration in Appropriations.
The existing regulations pose safety concerns for farmers, as they are unable to legally dispose of dead animals on their properties, leading to potential wildlife encounters. Professor Kate Moore from Chico State notes that in some areas, concerns about predators like wolves discourage outdoor activities for children.
To demonstrate the safety of composting, DeAtley and her students conducted extensive research through 30 compost cycles using parts of deceased cattle. Their findings, which showed no presence of salmonella and minimal heavy metals, support the idea that proper composting can be both effective and safe. Even animal heads, typically discarded, decomposed into usable soil without unpleasant odors.
Support for AB411 includes organizations such as the California Farm Bureau and Western United Dairies, while some rendering companies oppose it due to potential loss of business. Regardless of the bill’s outcome, DeAtley and Snell intend to disseminate their findings to the public, aiming to enhance farmers’ abilities to manage animal mortality effectively while safeguarding their land and communities.
