Manure Source Delays and Opportunities Related to HPAI

By Leslie Johnson

Following a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak, there may be a delay in the ability to receive manure and other products from those barns. This is because all biological material in the barn must be composted with the mortalities at 45-65 degrees C (131-160 degrees F) for 4 weeks (USDA APHIS) to minimize the risk of the virus spread, including, birds, feathers, eggs, feed and manure.

If your sole source of fertilizer is from a specific poultry operation, it would be wise to consider researching a backup plan if the facility breaks with HPAI. This is particularly true if the application window is narrow.

Mortality compost piles or windrows from HPAI infected barns must go through 2 heating cycles and must maintain a minimum temperature for 14 days, so all products coming from those barns are likely to have a 6-12 week delay in availability. However, once the compost is ready, the resulting compost is a high nutrient soil amendment.

Like all manure products, a proper manure analysis consisting of multiple sub-samples is critical before applying. The finished compost product is full of nutrients from the meat, eggs and manure that are incorporated into the pile, but is likely to be different than the product typically produced by that facility, small pieces of shell and little bones. There may be a surplus once the compost is finished, but because repopulation takes time, there may be additional delays as the facility gets back to business post outbreak.