Iowa DNR NewsEnvironmental Services Division For immediate release	Aug. 2, 2007  NOTE TO EDITORS: Please address questions not specific to environmentalconcerns to the Sioux County Sheriff’s office.  DNR ASSISTS IN DISPOSAL OF DEAD CATTLE IN SIOUX COUNTY MEDIA CONTACT: Jeff Prier at (712) 262-4177. IRETON - The DNR provided assistance on proper livestock disposalWednesday afternoon following the deaths of a large number of cattlenear Ireton in Sioux County. The DNR’s assistance was requested after the Sioux County Sheriff’soffice discovered about 300 dead and dying cattle at a cow-calfoperation in the 2300 block of 500 St., near Ireton. The sheriff worked with the State Veterinarian’s office to determinethe cause of death and rule out contagious diseases. The DNR sent nearby specialists to the site to look at composting ofthe cattle carcasses and to ensure that Iowa surface and ground waterwere not negatively impacted.  “Most of the carcasse
 s were already composted with corn stalkbales,” said Jeff Prier, a DNR environmental specialist who visitedthe site. “There were still a number of cattle alive that neededtreatment.” He added that about 12 recently dead cattle will need to be compostedor disposed of properly.  “It’s very important that people contact the State Veterinarian andthe closest DNR field office when there are massive die-offs,” saidPrier. “We can help producers find a suitable burial spot that won’t posea risk to surface or ground waters,” he added.   Prier added that there was a stream near the site and public watersupply wells located approximately one-fourth mile away. Dry conditionshelped prevent water quality problems from the cattle decomposition. Some parts of the state are more susceptible to water pollution becauseof shallow depth to bedrock, high groundwater tables, and proximity towells or sandy soil types (such as in Northwe
 st Iowa). Livestock and poultry producers should also be aware of DNR regulationsthat limit the numbers of animals that can be buried and the locationsof the burial sites. Producers are allowed to bury up to 44 butcher orbreeding hogs, 7 slaughter or feeding cattle, 73 sheep or lambs, or 400poultry carcasses on any given acre per year.  Anytime a producer wants to bury more animals than this, they shouldconsult with their DNR field office first. More information can be foundon the DNR Web site at http://www.iowadnr.com/afo/disposal.html.  Prier added that producers who have an emergency disposal plan in placefind it easier to make decisions and deal with an emergency loss oflivestock. The DNR has environmental field offices in the following areas: ●	Northeast Iowa, Manchester, (563) 927-2640.●	North Central Iowa, Mason City, (641) 424-4073.●	Northwest Iowa, Spencer, (712) 262-4177.●	Southwest Iowa, Atlantic, (712) 243-1934.●	South Central I
 owa, Des Moines, (515) 725-0268.●	Southeast Iowa, Washington, (319) 653-2135.  # # # 

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