After a natural disaster has passed through an area landholders may have to dispose of deceased stock through burial.
When planning for on-farm burial there are a number of factors that need to be considered. These issues include the environmental, statutory controls, logistics and safety.
As a guide a burial site should be located:
Pit construction should ensure:
Following deposition of the carcasses into the pit, slightly mound pits after backfilling to allow for subsidence and promote runoff rather than infiltration.
Where possible, plan destruction activities close to the burial site so carcasses can easily and safely be placed into the pit and plant machinery has safe access.
You should also consider any disturbance to threatened plants or animals during the operation. Unless it’s absolutely critical it is preferable to ensure that carcasses are not moved from one location to another.