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UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Extension
for On-Farm Burial of Dairy Cows This is a summary of suggested rules or guidelines for on-farm burial of dairy cows taken from those California counties which replied to the request to provide their current rules or guidelines. While it may be instructive for those counties without rules or those counties whose rules are under revision, it is merely a summary and carries no authoritative weight. Objectives: On-farm disposal of dead dairy cows in such a manner as not to become a nuisance on-site or to neighbors, to prevent spread of disease to other cattle or wildlife and to protect the public health and safety. Who is responsible: Owner is responsible for burial in a timely and sanitary manner. Timing after death: Buried within a reasonable time period, ie 24 - 48 hours after death. Buried prior to creation of adverse public health or nuisance. How buried: Each animal should be buried in a separate pit, unless mass burial is found necessary in an emergency situation to protect public health or the health of other livestock or wildlife. State or Federal veterinarian should probably be responsible for declaring an emergency. How deep: Deep enough to cover the top of the carcass with 4 - 6 feet of compacted soil, earth or ground to keep predators from unearthing the carcass. Where: Far enough from standing or flowing or ground water to prevent contamination of these waters and in an area not likely to be disturbed in the near future. Suggested setbacks:
Location of burial site: On a minimum of 5 - 10 acres to allow for proper setback and other restrictions.
(12/12/96) |
