On a seemingly ordinary summer morning in 2016, Michael Biadasz set out to complete a task he had done countless times before on his family’s farm in Amherst, Wisconsin.
But what should have been just another workday turned into an unimaginable tragedy.
The passionate young farmer and 16 of his cows lost their lives to a hidden danger that few had ever heard of.
An invisible danger
On the morning of August 15, 2016, young beef farmer Mike Biadasz set out to do what he had done countless times before — prepare the manure pit on his family’s farm near Amherst, Wisconsin, for hauling.
With his trademark enthusiasm, the 29-year-old Mike snapped a photo and shared it on Snapchat, playfully calling out the “liquid gold” he was about to mix.
It was a routine task, one he had safely completed many times. But that morning was different.
As Mike used farm equipment to stir the manure, an invisible danger lurked in the air. Unbeknownst to him, deadly fumes released from the pit became trapped by an unusual weather pattern — a layer of warm air high in the sky, combined with morning fog, prevented the gases from dispersing. The toxic buildup quickly overcame him. By the time other farm workers arrived at 6:30 a.m., expecting to haul away the manure, Mike was already gone.
Sixteen cattle standing nearby also succumbed to the fumes.
Steve Burclaw had only been working on the farm with Mike Biadasz for about three years, but in that short time, they had become close friends.
On that fateful morning, Burclaw arrived to help haul manure, unaware that anything was wrong. As he approached, everything seemed normal — just another routine day on the farm.
“There was really no sign of anything being different, or odd, or wrong,” Burclaw recalled. “We’ve all seen foggy mornings before.”
But Mike lay motionless at the very edge of the pit, his body eerily still as the farm workers stumbled upon him.
Extremely rare weather phenomenon
According to Portage County Coroner Scott Rifleman, the accident was the result of an extremely rare weather phenomenon. When the manure holding tank was prepped for emptying, warm upper air temperatures trapped a lethal concentration of gases — likely methane or hydrogen sulfide — in a dome over the area.
The atmospheric pressure prevented the gases from dissipating, creating a deadly situation in an open space, something highly unusual for gas poisoning cases.
His family was naturally deeply shocked when they received the tragic news.
Bob Biadasz sat in the house, sipping his coffee, when the phone rang. On the other end, a friend delivered the heartbreaking news — Mike, his son, business partner, and the fourth-generation heir to their family legacy, was gone.
Bob would always remember Mike as not just a dedicated and skilled farmer with an unshakeable work ethic, but as someone who could light up any room. Outgoing and warm, Mike had a rare gift for connecting with people of all ages — “he could talk to anyone, young or old.”
Mike’s sudden loss devastated his family, leaving his parents and three sisters struggling to imagine life without him. The shock rippled through the community, drawing more than 1,200 mourners to his visitation — more people than the entire population of Amherst itself. The outpouring of grief was a testament to the kind of person Mike was and the impact he had on those around him.
”I never realized Mike touched so many people,” Mike’s father told Stevens Point Journal.
Honoring Mike’s memory
His family, friends, and community were devastated. But in the wake of their grief, they turned their sorrow into action. They established the Mike Biadasz Farm Safety and Education Memorial Fund — a mission dedicated to preventing similar tragedies and educating farmers about the hidden dangers of their everyday work.
The Mike Biadasz Farm Safety and Education Memorial Fund works to raise awareness about the dangers of manure gas exposure and provides farmers with the knowledge and tools to stay safe.
Their efforts include educational events, safety training, and advocacy for stronger regulations surrounding manure storage and ventilation.
The mission is clear: farmers work hard to feed the world, and they deserve to have the best information and resources to protect themselves and their workers.
A community that will never forget
Shortly after Mike’s passing, his family and friends lined the road leading to Biadasz Farms with tractors and machinery as a tribute to his life and legacy. His black pickup truck, along with a row of blue and red farm vehicles, stood as a silent yet powerful symbol of love and remembrance.
“As if there isn’t already enough danger in the lives of farmers, this family had to suffer this freak accident,” one Facebook user commented. “So sad.”
The work of the Biadasz family continues to inspire change in farm safety practices across the country. Through awareness, education, and advocacy, they are making sure that no other farmer—or family—has to suffer the same loss.
To learn more about the Mike Biadasz Farm Safety and Education Memorial Fund, visit their Facebook page or check out their official website.
Mike Biadasz’s tragic passing serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers farmers face every day, highlighting the importance of awareness and safety in agricultural work.
By sharing Mike’s story, we can help prevent similar tragedies and ensure that farmers have the resources they need to protect themselves and their workers. Spreading Mike’s legacy not only honors his memory but also contributes to creating a safer farming environment for all.
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