Dairy composts seafood waste with manure

It may seem like an unlikely combination but combining dairy cow manure with waste from shellfish produces shell-flecked composted manure that sells for $20 a yard.

Maine dairy producer Eddie Benson was approached by the Department of Environmental Protection about using the waste from processing shellfish – clams, scallops and others -- with the manure he was composting. The shellfish waste is high in nitrogen, calcium and lime.

The result is a much better way to handle the waste. And it helps create a unique compost blend for consumers.

In the past, shellfish waste was dumped in the ocean. However, the decaying material robbed oxygen from fish living in the area where the waste was dumped. The DEP then tried dumping the shellfish waste on willing farmers’ land. However, that resulted in rotting fish piles.

That’s when the DEP contacted Benson about giving it a try with his compost. The result has been a win-win. Benson is even considering building a bagging facility to bag the compost. Doing so would open the door to even more markets for the product.

Portland Press Herald

1. Workshop to discuss nutrient application, management, stewardship
2. Help for flood affected farmers
3. Ag markets diverged significantly Friday afternoon
4. Vilsack: Food, Farm and Jobs Bill critical for U.S. producers
5. Ag markets decidedly mixed on Friday morning
6. Dairy among best snacks for diabetics

1. Beware of the soy milk after-taste face
2. Monsters love milk, too
3. Salma Hayek: Milk part of 'perfect' breakfast
4. What sick day? Farmers take just three a year
5. Activists at the door
6. IDFA: Opposition to Dairy Supply Management mounts

1. Analysis: Dairy Security Act better for farmers, taxpayers
2. IDFA: Opposition to Dairy Supply Management mounts
3. World food supply depends on character, virtuous leadership
4. Commentary: Slanting the statistics
5. Buffet concerned about soil and starvation
6. Cold spring stunts upper Midwest hay crop