We’re re-publishing this story today not just as a somber reminder of a tragic event but to raise awareness and support for a vital cause—the Mike Biadasz Farm Safety and Education Memorial Fund. If you would like to learn more or contribute to this important initiative, you can visit their Facebook page and website, linked here. The story behind the memorial is both heartbreaking and a call to action for better safety protocols in farming—an industry that’s already fraught with danger but often unaware of certain risks.
The tragedy unfolded on a Wisconsin farm, where 29-year-old farmer Michael Biadasz lost his life under unusual and devastating circumstances. It was a clear, cold day when a “deadly dome of air” suddenly exploded inside the farm’s manure holding tank—a chaos of gases and pressure that nobody could have predicted. The result was catastrophic: Michael was overcome by lethal fumes of methane or sulfur oxide, which caused him to suffer gas poisoning. The explosion also claimed the lives of sixteen of his cattle—thirteen animals initially, then three more in the aftermath. The scene was horrifying, almost surreal, as the farm was engulfed in anguish and loss.
According to WAOW, Michael Biadasz, a young man dedicated to his family’s farm, had been working when this horrifying event occurred. The gases that accumulated in the tank seemed to trap and form a dome of harmful, pressurized air. When the tank was about to be pumped—an ordinary task—the gases, which had built up over time, suddenly released in an explosive burst. The heat and unusual meteorological conditions, combined with the natural buildup of gases, created what Michael’s father, Bob Biadasz, described as a “perfect storm” of rare and dangerous circumstances.
Bob, who is also a co-owner of Biadasz Farms, was devastated to confirm that his son was already dead when other workers arrived to begin what should have been a routine cleanup. The tragedy struck quickly, leaving everyone trying to reckon with the sheer unpredictability of farm safety hazards. It’s a stark reminder of how delicate the line is between routine procedures and life-threatening incidents—one that can change lives forever in a matter of moments.
The local authorities, including the Portage County Coroner Scott Rifleman, spoke openly about the scene. “The family is absolutely devastated,” Rifleman told WAOW, his voice heavy with emotion. He explained that deaths caused by gas poisoning usually occur in enclosed areas where dangerous gases can accumulate quietly over time. The fact that this incident happened in an open but poorly ventilated tank, combined with unusual weather, made the gases trap and expand, creating yet another hazard that was difficult to anticipate.
Rifleman also shared that an investigation into the exact cause of the accident is ongoing. Although Michael had safely drained the same tank hundreds of times before—an task he was seemingly well-trained for—the buildup of gases during that day’s operation was unprecedented. This strange and tragic event underscores how even routine operations can turn deadly if proper precautions are not in place or if unexpected environmental factors come into play.
The Biadasz family’s grief has been palpable. As a heartfelt tribute, a line of tractors and machinery—Michael’s personal vehicles, his signature black pickup truck, a few red trucks, and a blue tractor—was parked along the road passing near the farm. It’s a somber display, a tribute from a family that is trying to honor their loved one in the only way they know. Many see this as a symbol of respect and remembrance, an emotional statement of love from a family shattered by loss.
Comments from the community and online viewers have been overwhelming. “As if there isn’t enough danger in the lives of farmers,” one Facebook commenter wrote, “this family had to suffer this freak accident. It’s so depressing.” That comment echoes a shared understanding that farmers often accept a certain level of risk as part of their everyday lives but are nonetheless vulnerable to devastating surprises like this.
In the wake of this tragedy, calls for better regulation and safety procedures in manure storage have grown louder. Experts agree that the risks associated with manure gases—like methane and sulfur oxide—are real and deadly. The National Agriculture Safety Database (NASD) has issued a warning that farmers should ensure proper ventilation in liquid manure storage facilities. They emphasize that owners need to follow strict construction and maintenance routines, incorporate safety measures such as gas detection systems, and train workers on how to recognize the early signs of dangerous gas buildup.
The NASD highlights that these precautions could prevent more tragedies. They recommend setting up warning signs around manure tanks or storage units, encouraging regular monitoring of gas levels, and decommissioning poorly ventilated tanks before they become hazards. Tragically, incidents like this aren’t isolated. In 2007, five members of a Virginia family lost their lives when clogged pipes caused a sudden buildup of lethal methane gas in a similar farm accident. Those stories serve as stark lessons that should never be ignored.
The loss of Michael Biadasz has left a void in his family, in the local
