Effect of envelope material on biosecurity during emergency bovine mortality composting

► Attainment of pathogen killing time/temp criteria was field tested. ► Temperatures in silage/straw-manure/cornstalk envelopes were 53/47/34 °C respectively. ► USEPA criteria were achieved in 89%, 67%, and 22% of silage/straw-manure/cornstalk tests. ► In cold seasons AE & NDV viruses survived <14 days in silage, >49 days in other materials. ► % Moisture, gas permeability, biodegradability are key performance indicators.