Nebraska Department of
Environmental
Quality

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Nebraska Department
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public and regulated community.

05-041
02/2005
Disposal Of Dead Animals at Livestock Operations
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Dead animals cannot be placed into livestock waste control facilities, nor land applied with livestock waste, in accordance with Title 130, “Livestock Waste Control Regulations,” Chapter 12, Section 003. In addition, Chapter 12, Section 004, requires records to be kept of the disposal of dead animals.

Neb. Rev. Stat. §54-744 states that it is the owner’s or custodian’s responsibility to dispose of dead animals within 36 hours of knowledge of death. The dead animal cannot be removed from the premises where it died, unless it is to be disposed of at a licensed rendering plant. Other options listed in the statute include on-site burial at least 4 feet below the surface of the ground; incineration; or composting for carcasses up to six hundred (600) pounds.

The compost facility must be operated in accordance with Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Livestock Composting Regulations. Additional information can be found at the NDA website at www.agr.state.ne.us, or contact NDA, Animal Industry at (420) 471-2351.

Anyone considering the purchase or construction of an incinerator must meet the permitting requirements of the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality Air Regulations. For further information, contact the NDEQ Air Division at (402) 471-2189.

Questions? Contact: Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, Agriculture Section, P.O. Box 98922, Lincoln, NE 68509-8922; phone (402)471-4239. Visit our web site at www.ndeq.state.ne.us.
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Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality
1200 "N" Street, Suite 400
P.O. Box 98922
Lincoln, Nebraska 68509
(402) 471-2186