Scientific Abstract
Michigan State University’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and College of Veterinary Medicine in collaboration with the National Pork Board, hosted a 1.5-day event on October 23 and 24, 2023, at its south campus farms and Pavilion for Livestock Education. This educational program focused on demonstrating methods of emergency swine depopulation and mass carcass management for invited representatives and stakeholders. Mass depopulation methods demonstrated using a water-based foam, gaseous CO2, or N2 foam. Three trailer loads of 22 to 26 head were depopulated using each of these approaches. The methods were 100% effective in the mass depopulation of swine. The use of tub grinder mixer-wagons to reduce carcass size and conserve resources was shown to be effective for the prompt decontamination treatment through composting. With a 7-minute mix time, a batch size of 5,000 lb. of carcasses, four tub grinder-mixer wagons, and windrows three minutes from the staging area, an estimated 58,833 lb. of carcasses could be ground, mixed, and placed into windrows per hour. Carcasses weighing 290 lb. at the time of depopulation of a fully populated 2000-head finishing unit, could be placed into compost windrows in about 10 hours. Demonstrations provided information to consider in updating guidelines for the mass depopulation of swine and guidelines for managing mass accumulation of carcasses.
