In a heart-wrenching incident, a farming community mourns the sudden loss of 29-year-old Wisconsin farmer Mike Biadasz and 16 of his cattle. The tragedy unfolded on a foggy August morning, revealing the often-overlooked dangers lurking in routine agricultural practices.
On August 15, 2016, around 6:30 a.m., farm workers arrived at the Biadasz family farm near Amherst to haul away manure. They discovered Mike lying unresponsive near the manure pit, alongside 16 deceased cows. The Wisconsin farmer had been agitating the outdoor manure pit—a standard procedure performed multiple times a year—to prepare its contents for field application. This routine task took a tragic turn when toxic gases, released during agitation, became trapped under a warm air layer on that foggy morning, leading to a deadly buildup.
The shockwaves of Mike’s untimely death rippled through the community. Over 1,200 people attended his memorial service, surpassing the population of the nearby village of Amherst. His father, Bob Biadasz, expressed profound gratitude, saying, “I never realized Mike touched so many people.” Friends and colleagues remembered Mike as a hardworking, intelligent farmer with an innate ability to connect with people of all ages. Steve Burclaw, a coworker and close friend, likened Mike to an older brother, stating, “He basically took care of everyone.”
Mike’s dedication to farming was evident from a young age. A 2005 graduate of Amherst High School, he pursued agricultural studies at Mid-State Technical College and Fox Valley Technical College. His commitment led him to acquire land near the family farm, transforming it with his vision and hard work. The Biadasz family farm, established in 1934, now houses between 850 and 900 cattle, a testament to Mike’s relentless efforts and passion.
In the wake of this tragedy, the Biadasz family established a farm safety memorial fund to honor Mike and promote awareness about the hazards associated with farming. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, at least 270 agricultural workers died on the job in 2014, with a portion of these fatalities resulting from exposure to harmful substances. Cheryl Skjolaas, an agricultural safety specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Extension, emphasized the insidious nature of these gases, noting, “You’re not going to smell them. You’re not going to see them.” This incident underscores the critical need for heightened safety measures and awareness to prevent future tragedies in the agricultural sector.
The loss of Wisconsin farmer Mike Biadasz and his cattle serves as a poignant reminder of the potential dangers inherent in farming. As communities rally to support the Biadasz family, there is a collective call to action to ensure that such preventable tragedies are averted through education, awareness, and stringent safety protocols.
