Wisconsin Farmer and 16 Cattle Killed in Rare Gas Poisoning Accident
A Wisconsin community is mourning the tragic loss of 29-year-old farmer Michael Biadasz, who died in a freak accident on his family’s Amherst farm after being overcome by toxic manure fumes. Alongside him, 16 cattle also perished when a deadly dome of air formed above a manure holding tank.
According to officials, Biadasz had prepared the tank for pumping when unusual weather conditions trapped gases—likely methane or sulfur oxide—in the air above it. Portage County Coroner Scott Rifleman described it as a “perfect storm,” explaining that warm upper air and atmospheric pressure prevented the fumes from dissipating.
Biadasz, who had safely worked with the tank hundreds of times before, was found deceased when workers arrived later that morning. His grieving family honored him by lining tractors, trucks, and his pickup along the farm road.
The accident has sparked renewed calls for stricter safety measures on manure storage facilities. Experts urge proper ventilation, clear warning signs, and precautionary construction standards to prevent future tragedies.
As one mourner wrote online: “As if farmers don’t face enough risks already, this family had to suffer this freak accident. So sad.”
