On a summer morning in 2016, Michael Biadasz went out to complete a task he had done many times before on his family’s farm in Amherst, Wisconsin.
What should have been a normal workday turned into a devastating incident.
The young farmer and 16 of his cows lost their lives to a hidden danger that few people knew about.
On August 15, 2016, Mike Biadasz began his usual routine of preparing the manure pit for hauling. The 29-year-old, known for his enthusiasm, even took a photo and shared it on Snapchat, joking about the work ahead.
It was a routine task, but that morning was different.
As he stirred the manure, dangerous gases began to build up. A rare weather pattern trapped the fumes, preventing them from dispersing. The toxic air quickly overwhelmed him. When workers arrived at 6:30 a.m. to start hauling, Mike had already lost consciousness.
Sixteen cattle nearby also did not survive.
Steve Burclaw, who had worked with Mike for three years, arrived expecting another normal day. At first glance, nothing seemed wrong.
“There was really no sign of anything being different,” he recalled. “We’ve all seen foggy mornings before.”
Then, he saw Mike lying motionless at the edge of the pit.
According to the Portage County coroner, an unusual weather event caused the accident. The warm upper air created a dome, trapping toxic gases—likely methane or hydrogen sulfide—around the area. Normally, gas poisoning occurs in enclosed spaces, making this case highly unusual.
Mike’s father, Bob Biadasz, received the heartbreaking news while drinking his morning coffee. His son and business partner was gone.
Mike was known as a hardworking and friendly person who could talk to anyone. More than 1,200 people attended his visitation, showing how much he meant to the community.
In his memory, his family created a farm safety education fund to raise awareness about manure gas dangers. They now provide training and push for better safety measures to protect other farmers.
Shortly after Mike’s passing, tractors lined the road to honor him. His family continues to promote safety, hoping no other family faces the same tragedy.