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, 29-year-old Mike snapped a photo and shared it on Snapchat, jokingly calling out the “liquid gold” he was about to mix.
It was a routine job he had safely done many times. But that morning was different.
As Mike used farm equipment to stir the manure, an unseen danger filled the air. Unbeknownst to him, lethal fumes released from the pit were trapped by an unusual weather pattern — a warm layer of air high above combined with morning fog prevented the gases from dispersing. The toxic buildup quickly overwhelmed him. By the time other workers arrived at 6:30 a.m. expecting to haul the manure, Mike was already gone.
Sixteen cattle nearby also succumbed to the fumes.
Steve Burclaw had only been working with Mike Biadasz for about three years, but in that short time they had become close friends.
That morning, Burclaw arrived to help haul manure, unaware anything was wrong. 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 edge of the pit, as the workers arrived and discovered the devastating scene.
Extremely rare weather phenomenon
According to Portage County Coroner Scott Rifleman, the tragedy was caused by an extremely rare weather phenomenon. When the manure tank was being prepared for emptying, warm upper-level air trapped a deadly concentration of gases — likely methane or hydrogen sulfide — in a dome over the area.
The atmospheric pressure prevented the gases from dispersing, creating a deadly situation in an open space, something highly unusual in gas-related incidents.
His family was left in deep shock upon hearing the heartbreaking news.
Bob Biadasz sat in the house sipping his coffee when the phone rang. On the other end, a friend delivered the devastating news — Mike, his son, business partner, and the fourth-generation heir to their family legacy, was gone.
Mike Biadasz Farm Safety and Education Memorial Fund
Bob would always remember Mike not only as a skilled, hardworking farmer with an unshakeable work ethic, but as someone who could light up any room. Outgoing and warm, Mike had a rare ability to connect with people of all ages — “he could talk to anyone, young or old.”
Mike’s sudden passing 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 than the entire population of Amherst itself. The outpouring of grief reflected the kind of person Mike was and the impact he had on those around him.
“I never realized Mike touched so many people,” his father told the Stevens Point Journal.
In the wake of their grief, the family and community turned sorrow into action. They established the Mike Biadasz Farm Safety and Education Memorial Fund, dedicated to preventing similar tragedies and educating farmers about hidden dangers in their work.
The fund works to raise awareness about manure gas exposure and provides farmers with tools and knowledge to stay safe. Their efforts include educational events, safety training, and advocacy for stronger regulations around manure storage and ventilation.
The mission is simple: farmers work hard to feed the world, and they deserve the best information and resources to protect themselves and their workers.
A community that will never forget
Shortly after Mike’s passing, family and friends lined the road to Biadasz Farms with tractors and machinery in tribute. His black pickup truck, along with blue and red farm vehicles, stood as a silent but 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 wrote. “So sad.”
The Biadasz family’s work continues to inspire change in farm safety practices across the country. Through awareness, education, and advocacy, they are working to ensure no other farmer — or family — has to endure a similar loss.
Mike’s tragic passing remains a stark reminder of the hidden dangers in agriculture, highlighting the importance of awareness and safety in farming.
By sharing his story, others hope to prevent similar tragedies and help ensure farmers have the resources they need to protect themselves and their workers.
