Carcass Composting: Turning Loss Into Opportunity
Livestock losses are part of life on the farm. When they happen, how you manage a carcass can make a big difference; for herd health, wildlife pressure, water quality, and even your workload. In Alberta, the law requires deadstock to be disposed of within seven days and in a way that prevents scavengers and disease spread. Producers have several options, but one is proving especially practical: composting.
Why compost?
Carcass composting takes advantage of the same natural process that breaks down manure and crop residue. By surrounding a carcass with carbon-rich material — such as straw, wood chips, spoiled silage, or manure packs — microbes generate heat that breaks down tissues safely and quickly.
Done well, composting offers big benefits:
Keeps predators and scavengers away by fully covering mortalities.
Destroys harmful pathogens, including common bacteria and viruses, as the pile heats up.
Works year-round, even in winter conditions, properly built piles will keep active at sub-zero temperatures.
Creates a useful end product, a stable compost that can be returned to the land.
Cost-effective, since the main “inputs” (straw, manure, bedding) are usually already on the farm.
Compared with burial, composting avoids concerns about groundwater contamination and the challenge of frozen soil. Compared with rendering, it doesn’t require waiting for pickup or paying hauling fees, and it puts producers in control.
What to consider
Composting is not completely hands-off. It requires:
A supply of carbon material to surround carcasses.
Enough space to build a secure pile or windrow away from wells and waterways.
A bit of loader work to cover carcasses and occasionally turn the pile.
While most of the carcass will disappear, some large bones or sheep wool may remain and need to be managed. With those considerations in mind, composting can handle everything from lambs to mature cattle efficiently.
Other options in Alberta
Composting isn’t the only tool available. Alberta regulations also allow:
Burial, provided the site is well above the water table and covered with at least one metre of soil. This can be difficult in frozen ground and carries groundwater risks if not done correctly.
Rendering or deadstock pickup, where available. This is convenient and biosecure but may be costly or limited in rural areas.
Incineration, which destroys pathogens completely but is impractical on most farms due to high costs and equipment needs.
Natural disposal (leaving carcasses for scavengers) is only permitted in very limited circumstances and is generally discouraged because of disease and predator concerns.
Each option has trade-offs, but composting stands out as a low-cost, environmentally sound, and flexible method that works on most farms.
Sources and Further Reading
Alberta Government - Livestock Mortality Management (Disposal)
Beef Cattle Research Council – Disposal of cattle mortalities
The Western Producer - Carcass composting called effcient disposal
AlbertaFarmer Express - Composting fastest and cheapest way to deal with deadstock
Learn more at What a Waste - Seminar & Webinar
Carcass composting is just one of the approaches Alberta producers can use to manage mortalities responsibly. At our upcoming What a Waste seminar & webinar (Sept 17, 2025, Blue Ridge Hall), you’ll hear from regulators, specialists, and producers about what’s allowed in Alberta, the pros and cons of each option, and how to choose the best fit for your operation.
