When selecting a carcass disposal method, producers must consider the number of mortalities, cause of death, potential infectious agents, environmental implications, regulatory requirements, and costs. This Issue Paper provides a comprehensive summary of the scientific, technical, and social aspects of ruminant carcass disposal technologies, drawing on a Kansas State University report. The authors discuss predominant methods including burial and landfill, rendering, composting, incineration, and alkaline hydrolysis, with an appendix addressing special considerations for disease-infected material.

Native North American wild sheep species are very susceptible to pneumonia and particularly to pasteurellosis. Although the current understanding about pasteurellosis in wild and domestic sheep is incomplete, respiratory disease clearly is a serious problem in both. This Commentary discusses pneumonic pasteurellosis in domestic sheep, pasteurellosis in wild sheep, and the risks to wild sheep associated with domestic sheep interactions. The authors also address research needs and strategies for minimizing the risk of interspecies disease transmission.