This report presents key results of a three-year study sponsored primarily by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Biosecurity studies included in this project were partially funded through a USDA-National Research Initiative grant. Primary objectives of the study were to evaluate the effectiveness, environmental impacts, and biosecurity of using composting for emergency disposal of cattle mortalities, and to recommend materials and composting practices that could be used in the event of a livestock or poultry disease outbreak or agro-terrorism in Iowa.