FALLEN LIVESTOCK REMOVAL ASSISTANCE
Kenton County farmers are now eligible to receive up to 75% reimbursement of the cost of dead animal removal from the farm, through a Local Cost Share program. The program is limited to private landowners.
Proper disposal of fallen livestock is important not only to herd health, but to human health. Kentucky law regulates the proper disposal methods for fallen livestock.
Disposing of fallen livestock properly can also help control coyote and other predator problems. Leaving livestock carcasses in pastures or open pits not only encourages predators to associate livestock with food, but also causes predators to congregate near farms.
Water quality concerns can also be addressed by using approved disposal methods. The Kentucky Agriculture Water Quality Act requires that by October 23, 2001,all landowners with 10 or more acres must have developed and implemented a plan to prevent water pollution from their agriculture or silviculture (forestry) operations.
What to do: Within 24 hours of an animal death, call a licensed hauler.
When contacting a hauler, make sure you provide the following information:
- directions to your farm;
- method of payment;
- the type of animal to be picked up, approximate time of death, and location of the animal;
- a phone number where you can be reached during the day.
Check with your hauler, but in general, haulers require that the animal be out of the barn and on a hard surface. They will not drive out in the pasture to pick up an animal. Pay the hauler by check or cash for removal service at time of pick up.
A Cause of Animal Death Statement may be required for removal of more than three animals at one time. This is necessary to prevent the spread of disease and protect animal health. If you have more than three animals to be removed at one time, contact your veterinarian before calling your hauler. In cases of obvious non-disease causes of animal death (drowning, lightning strikes, etc.), the veterinarian may be able to furnish a verbal report to speed up the process of removing the carcasses.
The Conservation District and/or haulers reserve the right to terminate the program if at any time local, state, or federal regulations are enacted that would prohibit the hauler from dispensing with the animal in the accustomed manner or would adversely affect the day-to-day operation of the hauler. The program will continue until all funds from the Local Cost Share Program are expended.
How to participate:
The Kenton County Conservation District will offer cost share assistance to farmers for the haul bill for removal and proper disposal of fallen livestock from farms in Kenton County. The intent of this program is to promote the proper disposal of fallen animals, not to compensate the owner for the loss of the animal. The program is limited to private landowners.
If landowners use a hauler other than Shipley & Son Dead Stock Removal for removal services, landowners can submit the original receipt, dated, with itemized fees and name and signature of hauler within 10 days of service to the Kenton County Conservation District. A licensed hauler must be used for removal services. Landowners will be reimbursed by the Kenton County Conservation District, by check, for 75% of the haul bill up to $100.
A licensed hauler must be used unless a landowner transports an animal to the University of Kentucky Animal Diagnostic Laboratory. Landowners will be reimbursed for transportation costs only with proof of diagnostic services. Reimbursement will be made to landowners by the Kenton County Conservation District, by check, for 75% of the transportation costs based on mileage, up to $100.
Charges in excess of the haul bill, such as for burial, cremation or diagnostic fees, are not available for cost share assistance through this program. Reimbursement rates as well as hauling fees are subject to change. Prices for disposal are subject to change, which would affect the rate of reimbursement.
Hauler:Shipley & Son Dead Stock Removal - Phone: (513) 309-6658 (local call) Shipley & Son Dead Stock Removal will collect 25% of the removal fee from the owner at the time of pick-up. Shipley & Son Dead Stock Removal has contracted with the Kenton County Conservation District for the balance of the fee and is offering this arrangement as a service to the landowner. If using Shipley & Son Dead Stock Removal you will not receive further cost share assistance.