Myth #9
Livestock operations dispose of dead animals in unsanitary ways.- Opponents say “Livestock producers let dead animals lay around their farms and rot.”
- In truth, and just like most people, operators don’t like the sight of dead animals. Their options for dead animal disposal are much the same as those of a pet owner: rendering, incineration, composting, or burial, depending on the animal. According to Illinois Department of Ag rules dead animals must be properly disposed of within 24 hours.
- Illinois Dead Animal Disposal Act
- http://www.agr.state.il.us/AnimalHW/awflaws.html
Did you know that once properly composted, a rich, dark organic material is formed that has absolutely no trace of bones or even teeth. The resulting product has very little or no odor, and makes an excellent fertilizer for crops or even landscaping projects!
These pdf files of the production fact sheets can be a useful handout in educating your community in the importance of livestock production.
Myths and Facts on Livestock Expansion Illinois
Myth #1
Livestock odors will cause asthma in my children (air quality)
Myth #2
Livestock operations will pollute my groundwater (water quality)
Myth #3
Antibiotic resistance is a result of modern livestock production.
Myth #4
Facilities don’t have established procedures or plans to avoid or handle spills, runoff, etc.
Myth #5
Use of manure in pivot irrigation spews the smell everywhere.
Myth #6
Toxic chemicals are emitted from livestock facilities.
Myth #7
My property value will decrease if a livestock operation locates next to or near my property.
Myth #8
Our local roads can’t handle the weight of the heavier trucks that livestock operations require.
Myth #9
Livestock operations dispose of dead animals in unsanitary ways.
Myth #10
Livestock operations raise animals in harmful and inhumane ways.
