Iowa DNR News
Environmental Services Division
For immediate release Aug. 2, 2007
NOTE TO EDITORS: Please address questions not specific to environmental
concerns 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 disposal
Wednesday afternoon following the deaths of a large number of cattle
near Ireton in Sioux County.
The DNR’s assistance was requested after the Sioux County Sheriff’s
office discovered about 300 dead and dying cattle at a cow-calf
operation in the 2300 block of 500 St., near Ireton.
The sheriff worked with the State Veterinarian’s office to determine
the cause of death and rule out contagious diseases.
The DNR sent nearby specialists to the site to look at composting of
the cattle carcasses and to
ensure that Iowa surface and ground water
were not negatively impacted.
“Most of the carcasses were already composted with corn stalk
bales,” said Jeff Prier, a DNR environmental specialist who visited
the site. “There were still a number of cattle alive that needed
treatment.”
He added that about 12 recently dead cattle will need to be composted
or disposed of properly.
“It’s very important that people contact the State Veterinarian and
the closest DNR field office when there are massive die-offs,” said
Prier.
“We can help producers find a suitable burial spot that won’t pose
a risk to surface or ground waters,” he added.
Prier added that there was a stream near the site and public water
supply wells located approximately one-fourth mile away. Dry conditions
helped prevent water quality problems from the cattle decomposition.
Some parts of the state are more susceptible to water pollution because
of shallow depth to bedrock, high groundwater tables, and proximity to
wells or sandy soil types (such as in Northwest Iowa).
Livestock and poultry producers should also be aware of DNR regulations
that limit the numbers of animals that can be buried and the locations
of the burial sites. Producers are allowed to bury up to 44 butcher or
breeding hogs, 7 slaughter or feeding cattle, 73 sheep or lambs, or 400
poultry carcasses on any given acre per year.
Anytime a producer wants to bury more animals than this, they should
consult with their DNR field office first. More information can be found
on the DNR Web site at http://www.iowadnr.com/afo/disposal.html.
Prier added that producers who have an emergency disposal plan in place
find it easier to make decisions and deal with an e
mergency loss of
livestock.
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 Iowa, Des Moines, (515) 725-0268.
● Southeast Iowa, Washington, (319) 653-2135.
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