On a seemingly unremarkable summer morning in 2016, Michael Biadasz embarked on a task he had performed countless times before on his family’s farm in Amherst, Wisconsin.
However, what should have been just another day of work turned into a tragedy beyond comprehension.
The dedicated young farmer and 16 of his cattle tragically lost their lives to an unseen peril, one that most had never even known existed.
An Invisible Threat
On the morning of August 15, 2016, Mike Biadasz, a passionate beef farmer, began his usual task—preparing the manure pit on his family’s farm for the upcoming haul.
Full of energy and his characteristic enthusiasm, the 29-year-old snapped a photo, sharing it on Snapchat and jokingly referring to the manure he was about to stir as “liquid gold.”
It was a routine chore, one he had safely carried out numerous times before. Yet, that day, something was different.
As Mike operated the farm machinery to agitate the manure, an invisible threat lingered ominously in the air. Unaware of the imminent peril, he unknowingly triggered the release of deadly gases from the pit. These fumes became ensnared by an unusual weather pattern—a blanket of warm air high in the atmosphere, coupled with a dense morning fog, prevented the toxic gases from dispersing. The lethal accumulation of these fumes swiftly overtook him. By the time the other farmhands arrived at 6:30 a.m., expecting to begin removing the manure, Mike had already passed.
The fumes also claimed the lives of sixteen cattle standing nearby.
Steve Burclaw had worked alongside Mike Biadasz for a mere three years, but in that brief time, they had formed a deep bond of friendship.
On that tragic morning, Burclaw arrived at the farm, expecting to assist with hauling manure, unaware that disaster had already struck. As he drew near, everything appeared to be just as it should—another routine morning on the farm.
“There was really no indication that anything was amiss, nothing unusual or out of the ordinary,” Burclaw reflected. “Foggy mornings are nothing new to us.”
But then, as the farm workers drew closer to the pit, they discovered Mike, his body unnaturally still at the edge, motionless.
A Rare and Unforeseen Weather Phenomenon
Portage County Coroner Scott Rifleman later explained that the incident resulted from an exceedingly rare atmospheric occurrence. As the manure pit was readied for emptying, a layer of warm air high in the sky trapped a toxic concentration of gases—likely methane or hydrogen sulfide—beneath it, forming a deadly dome over the area.
This pressure kept the gases from dispersing, creating a highly dangerous situation in an otherwise open space—something atypical in cases of gas poisoning.
The news of Mike’s death hit his family with an overwhelming shock.
Bob Biadasz, sitting in his home with a cup of coffee in hand, answered the phone to receive the devastating news. A close friend was on the other end, bearing the heart-wrenching revelation: Mike—his son, business partner, and the fourth-generation torchbearer of their family farm—was gone.
Bob would forever recall Mike, not solely as a devoted and proficient farmer with an unwavering work ethic, but as someone who possessed the rare ability to brighten any environment he entered. Charismatic and approachable, Mike possessed an extraordinary gift for connecting with individuals of all ages—“he could strike up a conversation with anyone, whether they were young or old.”
The abrupt and tragic loss of Mike sent shockwaves through his family, leaving his parents and three sisters in deep despair, struggling to fathom a world devoid of his presence. The shockwaves reverberated throughout the entire community, with more than 1,200 people gathering to mourn at his visitation—an overwhelming number, eclipsing the entire population of Amherst itself. The profound grief that engulfed those around him was a testament to the indelible mark Mike had left on their lives.
“I had no idea Mike had such an impact on so many,” Mike’s father confided to the Stevens Point Journal.
A Tribute to Mike’s Legacy
His loved ones, heartbroken and bereft, were not content to simply wallow in sorrow. Rather, they channeled their anguish into purposeful action. They established the Mike Biadasz Farm Safety and Education Memorial Fund—a noble endeavor with the mission of safeguarding others from similar tragedies and raising awareness about the hidden perils that lurk within the day-to-day tasks of farming.
The Mike Biadasz Farm Safety and Education Memorial Fund is dedicated to illuminating the dangers posed by manure gas exposure and equipping farmers with the essential knowledge and tools to safeguard their well-being.
Their efforts are multifaceted: hosting educational workshops, providing specialized safety training, and advocating for stricter regulations concerning manure storage and ventilation practices.
Their mission is unequivocal: farmers labor tirelessly to nourish the world, and they are entitled to have access to the most comprehensive information and resources to ensure their safety and the safety of those they employ.
A Community That Will Never Forget: Honoring Mike Biadasz’s Legacy Through Farm Safety Advocacy
In the days following the tragic passing of Mike Biadasz, his family and friends came together to honor his life in a powerful and emotional tribute. Along the road to Biadasz Farms, a solemn procession of tractors, farm equipment, and Mike’s black pickup truck lined the path—an unspoken symbol of grief, unity, and unwavering respect for a life taken too soon.
The display, marked by rows of red and blue farming vehicles, stood not only as a gesture of remembrance but as a call to action.
“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.”
Mike’s passing, the result of a tragic and preventable farming accident, has left a lasting impact—not just on his hometown community, but on the agricultural world at large. In his memory, the Biadasz family has dedicated themselves to improving safety standards on farms through advocacy, education, and awareness initiatives.
Their efforts have sparked conversations across the country about the often-overlooked risks that farmers face every day. Through the Mike Biadasz Farm Safety and Education Memorial Fund, the family is working to ensure that no other farmer—or family—endures the same devastating loss.
Mike’s story is more than a memory; it’s a mission. By spreading awareness and promoting safer farming practices, his legacy lives on—protecting others from hidden dangers in agricultural work.
To learn more or support the cause, visit the Mike Biadasz Farm Safety and Education Memorial Fund on Facebook or through their official website.