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County hears pitch to preserve regional dead-animal removal program; producers may pay $50 per head
Summary
UT Ag Extension and local producers told the Bedford County Finance Committee that cuts to state funding and higher contractor costs would raise county per-animal disposal costs from about $82 to $97 and impose roughly a $50-per-head fee on producers unless counties absorb more of the increase.
County officials heard a detailed briefing on a South Central Tennessee dead-animal removal program that serves 10 counties and is facing funding pressure.
Matthew Deitz of the University of Tennessee Ag Extension told the committee the Tennessee Department of Agriculture reduced its investment and a service provider sought roughly an 18% operating increase. "Bedford County actually had 355 tons of dead animal stock, which was about 813 animals," Deitz said, summarizing 2025 data for the county. Under the proposed cost model, Deitz said the county’s contribution per animal would increase from about $82 to about $97, and livestock producers would pay an extra $50 per head.
Commissioner Yockey asked whether some producers would decline the fee and dispose of carcasses themselves, potentially lowering service volumes. Staff warned that self-disposal can create environmental and nuisance problems — including increased scavenger activity and risks to water quality — and that burial or on-farm composting has regulatory and practical limitations.
Nathan Hale, president of the Middle Tennessee Beef Producers, told the committee producers generally supported modest fees to maintain regular collection. "My name is Nathan Hale. I am the president of the Middle Tennessee Beef Producers... we don't mind paying our way," he said, describing the practical burden on producers who work off the farm and lack time and equipment to handle large carcasses.
Finance staff estimated the 18% additional county share would amount to roughly $12,000 across the participating counties for their planned allocation and said the county could accommodate the change via a future cleanup amendment or fund-balance adjustment if commissioners choose to proceed.
Next steps: committee members said they will consider whether Bedford County should absorb part of the increase to preserve a centralized service. The matter may be addressed as part of the upcoming cleanup amendment and budget deliberations.
