2023 December Board Book

2024 – 2026 California Carcass Compost Research Funding granted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA): $895,253 Researcher: Dr. Michael Payne, UC Davis Western Institute for Food Safety and Security (WIFSS) CDRF receives direct and in-direct reimbursements for this project, resulting in a positive return. CDRF was awarded this grant to conduct comprehensive carcass composting research. This project will demonstrate the use of compost technology to manage both routine and catastrophic animal mortalities as both economically feasible and environmentally sustainable. The primary goal of the project is to measure what potential impacts, if any, occur to the quality of groundwater, surface water and air when appropriate compost methodologies are implemented. A secondary goal of the project is to utilize data and experiences collected during the project to develop mitigation procedures and Best Management Practices (BMPs) for poultry and livestock composting, when rendering services have been disrupted or otherwise unavailable. A composting research consortium has been created and will enroll four research sites at various geographic locations throughout California. A variety of studies will be performed including: 1) continuous, real-time tem perature, salinity, and moisture content of piles; 2) pathogen reduction during composting; 3) infiltration of nutrients and heavy metals into soil ;4) nutrient and heavy metal content of feedstock and finished compost; and 5) air quality emissions during the lifespan of the compost piles. Through this grant, project management and producer outreach will be provided by the University of California, Davis and the California Dairy Quality Assurance Program (CDQAP).