Storm Recovery Information for producers

Handling of structural debris & poultry, livestock mortality

This webpage will be used as a central location for information related to agricultural recovery from the recent snow storms and will be updated as information becomes available.

Update: 3/9/10

The Maryland Department of Agriculture along with our state and federal agency partners have worked hard to identify damage and respond needs that the agriculture community may have in order to clean up, recover and rebuild from storm-related damage.  Our goal is to help producers get back in full operation and/or recover losses as quickly as possible. To that end, we have compiled a list of resources that may be of use to you.
The list of resources includes, information about cash incentives for energy projects to all of Maryland’s agricultural producers offered by the Maryland Statewide Farm Energy Audit Program through the Maryland Energy Administration.

Update: 2/26/10

ANNAPOLIS, MD (Feb. 26, 2010) – The Maryland Department of the Environment has offered provisions for emergency burning of debris as part of the clean up from the recent snow storms.  Information and financial incentives for energy efficient equipment and/or solar photovoltaic systems for those who may want to build or rebuild in greener and more energy efficient ways will be available in the coming days.

Update: 2/25/10

Burning debris associated with downed poultry and livestock facilities. Maryland Department of the Environment issues guidance for emergency burning of poultry and livestock houses and manure storage structures due to the recent snow storms.

Annapolis, MD (Feb. 9, 2010) – With reports of poultry house and livestock barn collapses, the Maryland Department of Agriculture advises producers on appropriate disposal of mortality.

Contact your insurance agent AND USDA Farm Service Agency county office as soon as possible.  FSA must be contacted within 30 days of the event or loss to apply for assistance programs. FSA has a Livestock Indemnity Program and Loan Programs which may apply.  Insurance and indemnity programs may require documentation of loss prior to clean up.
For veterinary assistance, call your private veterinarian. Private veterinarians will contact MDA if additional assistance is necessary.
For Poultry: MDA advises a tiered approach depending upon what facilities are available.    First recommendation is to compost dead birds in the manure storage facility.  Second is to compost outside with appropriate set backs from surface water.  University of Maryland Extension Fact Sheets provide instruction on this process.  If these procedures are not an option, land filling and commercial composting can be considered with appropriate permitting and/or direction from local officials. Contract growers should contact their companies before taking action.  During this snow emergency, contact your county emergency operations center where the local health department, which authorizes and can advise on certain disposal methods, should be represented.  They also have a direct connection with the state emergency operations center to marshal state resources.

UMD Extension Fact sheets:  Composting for Catastrophic Event Poultry Mortality, www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/compostpoultrycatastrophe-umd.pdf Guidelines for In-House Composting of Catastrophic Poultry Mortality., www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/compostpoultrycatastropheinhouse-umd.pdf County extension specialists are very good resources, but may not be available during this snow emergency.
For Livestock:

Depending upon facilities, off-farm disposal by rendering or commercial land filling may be needed when and where on-farm livestock disposal by burial or burning is not practicable or not permitted by local Health Officer.

Burial on farm.    There are some areas of Maryland where burial will not be a legal option for disposal of large animal carcasses.

Composting on farm.  There is a large amount of information available on this carcass disposal method.  There may be regions of Maryland which prohibit composting of livestock, please check with your county authorities. University of Maryland “Guidelines for Composting Large Animal Mortalities in Maryland” Cornell University composting information: http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/factsheets.htm University of Maryland multiple subject composting information: www.compost.umd.edu/Resources.cfm

During the snow emergency, contact your county emergency operations center  where the local health department, which authorizes and can advise on certain disposal methods, should be represented. They also have a direct connection with the state emergency operations center to marshal state resources.

Following the emergency, during clean up and recovery contact the University of Maryland Extension county office for composting guidance. Your county agent can direct you to the best subject matter expert.

The county emergency operations centers are listed here: www.mema.state.md.us/MEMA/content_page.jsp?TOPICID=emmgrs ### Follow MDA on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/MdAgDept