The hours between an animal dying and the collection vehicle arriving are when good fallen stock management is really tested, and how you store a carcass in that window matters for biosecurity, compliance and the speed of collection itself. Martlands advises farmers on safe storage as part of our fallen stock and ABP collection service, working from our family-run, DEFRA approved base in Burscough, Lancashire. A few sensible measures make the whole process cleaner, safer and quicker.
Why Storage Is More Than Just Waiting
It is tempting to think of the period before collection as dead time, but a carcass left in the wrong place becomes a focus for disease and a magnet for scavengers within hours. Decomposition releases fluids and attracts vermin, foxes and birds that move between fields and holdings, carrying pathogens with them. Proper interim storage breaks that chain, contains any leakage, and keeps the fallen animal away from your live stock. Our guidance on the storage of animal by-products covers the principles that apply across all categories of material.
Choosing the Right Location
A dedicated storage point near a hard track that a collection vehicle can reach is ideal, because it keeps carcasses away from the herd or flock and makes collection efficient. The spot should be on hardstanding where possible, away from watercourses, drains and field boundaries, and not somewhere that becomes a regular thoroughfare for other animals or people. Thinking about vehicle access in advance is one of the simplest ways to speed up collection when the time comes.
Containment and Covering
Where practical, carcasses should be held in a leak-proof container or on a sealed surface and kept covered to deter scavengers and reduce odour. Covering also limits the spread of any fluids and keeps the immediate area cleaner. For smaller animals, sealed containers are straightforward, while larger carcasses benefit from a designated covered area that can be cleaned and disinfected after each collection.
The Time Factor
The regulations expect prompt action, with a duty of care to ensure fallen stock is collected without undue delay, and the practical reality is that the sooner an animal is collected the lower the risk it poses. In warm weather this matters even more, as decomposition accelerates sharply. Good storage buys you a manageable window, but it is not a substitute for prompt collection, which is why a rapid-response collector is so valuable. Our blog on emergency fallen stock collection explains why speed is part of good biosecurity.
Cleaning Down Afterwards
Once a collection has taken place, cleaning and disinfecting the storage point closes the loop and prevents it becoming a lingering contamination source. A storage area that is cleaned down after each use stays fit for the next time without becoming a problem in its own right. Our dedicated farm and fallen stock collection service is designed to work hand in hand with sensible on-farm storage.
Reliable Collection Across the Region
Good storage and a dependable collector go together, and our rapid-response fleet reaches even the more remote holdings across the North West. Farmers in the far north of the region can read about our local Carlisle fallen stock collection service, covering the Border country and the Eden Valley.
Storage Planning for Larger Stock
A fallen lamb or a few birds are easy to contain, but a fallen cow or horse needs more thought. Larger carcasses benefit from a designated covered area on hardstanding that a collection vehicle can reach and where mechanical lifting equipment can operate safely. Thinking about that access point before you need it, rather than in the moment, makes collection of heavy stock far quicker and safer for everyone involved. A well-chosen spot near a firm track, screened from the live herd and away from drains and watercourses, serves a farm well for years and takes the difficulty out of the occasions when a large animal is lost.
Setting Up
Sound interim storage plus a prompt licensed collector is the combination that keeps a holding clean and compliant. To arrange responsive fallen stock collection and discuss the best storage setup for your farm, call Martlands on 01704 776977.
