Dead animal composting seminar to be held in May

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - Here’s a unique idea for for your next dinner party conservation: How to compost dead animals.

The Department of Environmental Quality’s Solid Waste Permitting and Corrective Action program is hosting three Dead Animal Compost Seminars on May 3 in Moorcroft, May 4 in Torrington, and May 8 in Cody. Each seminar will go from 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Headlining the event will be Caitlin Youngquist, an agriculture and horticulture educator from the University of Wyoming, who will offer participants the basics of successfully composting whole animals, offal, or viscera.

After a discussion led by the DEQ on solid waste permitting requirements and funding opportunities, the moment all will be waiting for comes to fruition. Participants will actually be able to try the process out for themselves, and gain hands-on experience constructing a compost windrow.

The process for composting a dead animal is relatively simple. According to the North Dakota State University agriculture department, it involves placing two feet of base material, like wood chips or hay, in a pile or long row, laying the dead animal on the base, and covering it with eight to ten inches of bulking material. The carcass can then be converted into a slow-release fertilizer, organic soil amendment, or water-saving mulch, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.

Craig McOmie, the manager for Cease and Transfer and Landfill Remediation at the DEQ, says dead animal composting saves people time and saves the environment. For starters, many have to drive long distances to reach a regional landfill who can even take their animals. That time adds up quickly and at the end of the day, means money lost.

From an environmental standpoint, McOmie wants to prevent nitrogen, which dead animals produce, from seeping into the groundwater. Effective composting will do just that.

Both in-person and virtual options are available, but the latter will be restricted to the classroom portion.

The session in Moorcroft will be held at Moorcroft Town Hall, for Torrington it’ll take place at Torrington City Hall, and Cody’s will go down at Park County Building.

Registration is required and as for lunch, sadly, you’ll be on your own.

If you have questions, please contact McOmie at (307) 473-3487 or Jody Weikart at (307) 777-3501.

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