Livestock farmers across Ontario face growing challenges when it comes to the safe, economical, and sustainable disposal of deadstock. The responsible handling of deceased animals is an essential part of livestock management, protecting animal health, ensuring the safety of our food system, and environmental sustainability.
To help address these challenges, the Increasing Deadstock Capacity Initiative (IDCI) was launched in 2023 to support projects that increase Ontario’s capacity to collect, transport, and dispose of deadstock. Through cost-share funding and program promotion administered through Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC), the initiative helped farmers and businesses invest in equipment, infrastructure, and planning activities to improve the province’s deadstock management system.
Strong uptake demonstrates sector demand
To support the diversity of Ontario’s livestock sector, the initiative was delivered in two phases. The first phase opened in September 2023 and focused on supporting organizations involved in deadstock management and related services. In November 2024, the initiative expanded eligibility to include livestock producers themselves. The response to the second phase was overwhelming, demonstrating strong demand across the sector for additional solutions to address deadstock management at the farm level.
The full IDCI budget was rapidly subscribed, demonstrating government and industry’s willingness to invest in a strengthened deadstock management system and expanded capacity across the supply chain for Ontario
Province-wide results
In total, the IDCI made $1.5 million in funding available over a three-year period, supporting projects that strengthened Ontario’s deadstock management infrastructure by improving system capacity and sustainability.
Through the program, 41 applicants received funding to improve collection, transportation, storage, and disposal capacity. The successful projects were implemented across Ontario’s livestock sector in 18 counties and regions, spanning beef, dairy, goat, pork and poultry operations, as well as supporting businesses such as deadstock collectors, and meat processors.
Supporting practical solutions
Investments through the IDCI are already helping strengthen Ontario’s deadstock management system and improve resilience across the province.
Hog farmer Rik Altena says the program allowed him to improve his on-farm deadstock composting capacity and enhance biosecurity.
Faced with limited options for the disposal of on-farm deadstock, the cost-share funding helped Altena install an Omnivore composter. The self-contained composter allows him to manage his deadstock needs safely and efficiently on the farm. By removing his reliance on outsourcing deadstock collection, Altena is also reducing the risk of disease transmission into his hog barns. As a bonus, he’s also utilizing the nutrient-rich compost as an additional source of fertilizer for his field crops.
“The Omnivore composter has been a good investment,” says Altena. “Not only can I take care of my own deadstock now, but the biggest factor has been my ability to reduce my farm’s exposure to diseases.”
Hog farmer Jonas Schwarz was also a successful IDCI applicant. Schwarz says winter weather in Bruce County was preventing effective deadstock management on his farm. Not only did cold temperatures reduce the effectiveness of the on-farm system, but winter storms also hindered necessary deadstock collection. “This created a lot of pressure for us to manage our deadstock through the winter,” he says.
Schwarz leveraged the cost-share funding to enhance the existing on-farm drum composting system on Schwoba Farms Ltd. The new system allows him to safely and economically dispose of deadstock on the farm and adhere to industry and government regulations, all while enhancing the biosecurity and environmental sustainability of his farm.
“Now, we can pretty much manage all of our deadstock in-house with our own composting system, and the stress associated with managing the mortalities has been reduced significantly,” he says.
With widespread uptake, the IDCI program has strengthened innovative and sustainable deadstock management practices across Ontario’s livestock and deadstock management sector.
The Increasing Deadstock Capacity Initiative program was funded in part through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a 5-year, $3.5 billion federal-provincial-territorial initiative. This program is being delivered by the Agricultural Adaptation Council on behalf of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.
