Summer brings welcome warmth and longer days to the UK farming calendar, but it also creates particular challenges for fallen stock management. When temperatures rise, the decomposition of animal carcasses accelerates dramatically, creating a range of biosecurity, environmental, and practical problems that make prompt collection even more important than at other times of year. Martland’s Fallen Stock provides reliable collection services throughout the summer months, helping farmers to manage the heightened risks that come with hot weather quickly and compliantly.
How Heat Accelerates Decomposition
The biochemical processes that break down a carcass after death are driven by microbial activity, and microbial activity increases significantly with temperature. In cool or cold conditions, a carcass may remain in a relatively stable state for several days. In warm summer weather – particularly during the heat waves that have become more frequent in recent years – significant decomposition can begin within hours of death.
This rapid deterioration creates multiple problems. The odour generated by decomposing carcasses is intensely unpleasant and can travel considerable distances. Gases produced during decomposition can cause carcasses to bloat, creating handling difficulties during collection. Fluids released from decomposing tissue contaminate the surrounding area and can reach watercourses, creating environmental pollution risks. Contacting Martland’s Fallen Stock as soon as a fallen animal is discovered during warm weather is the most important step a farmer can take.
Vermin and Fly Activity
Warm weather also brings greatly increased activity from the flies, crows, foxes, rats, and other scavengers that are attracted to fallen stock. Blowflies can locate a carcass rapidly in summer conditions and lay eggs within hours of death. The activity of these scavengers and insects not only accelerates the physical deterioration of the carcass but also creates a significant disease transmission risk, as insects and animals that have contacted a carcass can carry pathogens to other areas of the farm and beyond.
Controlling vermin access to fallen stock while awaiting collection from Martland’s Fallen Stock Collection Service is an important biosecurity measure. Covering the carcass promptly after discovery – ideally with a tarpaulin or in a covered storage area – reduces fly access and limits the attraction of the carcass to larger scavengers. Covering should be seen as a temporary measure while Martland’s Fallen Stock collection is being arranged, not as a solution in its own right.
Practical Steps for Summer Fallen Stock Management
During the summer months, notify Martland’s Fallen Stock immediately upon discovering a fallen animal – in warm weather, urgency should always be your default assumption. Move the carcass to your designated hard-standing storage area as soon as it is safe to do so, and cover it to limit fly access. Keep other livestock away from the storage area.
If the carcass is in a field and cannot be moved easily, contact Martland’s Fallen Stock and explain the situation. The team is experienced in managing collections from challenging locations and can advise on what measures to take at the site of the carcass while collection logistics are being arranged. After the collection has taken place, thoroughly clean and disinfect the storage area.
Planning Ahead for Summer
Before the summer months arrive, review your collection arrangements with Martland’s Fallen Stock and confirm that they are aware of any particular access challenges or logistical considerations at your holding. Check that your temporary storage area is in good condition, hard-standing surfaces should be intact and capable of containing fluids.
Farmers with large flocks or herds, or those who have experienced higher-than-average summer mortality in previous years, may wish to discuss with Martland’s Fallen Stock whether a standing collection schedule during the summer period would be more appropriate than reactive arrangements. The relative certainty of regular scheduled collections with Martland’s Fallen Stock can be particularly valuable during periods of warm weather when the consequences of delayed collection are most significant.
Here are some of the other regional areas we cover. Click a link below to find out more:
Lancashire Fallen Stock Collection Service
Greater Manchester Fallen Stock Collection Service
Merseyside Fallen Stock Collection Service
Wirral Fallen Stock Collection Service
North Wales Fallen Stock Collection Service
Cheshire Fallen Stock Collection Service
