They Turn Chicken Manure Into Odorless Fertilizer Pellets
The 180,000 layer hens at Asmus Egg Farms, Inc. in Winthrop, Minn. produce plenty of manure. Instead of looking at that as a problem, fifth generation brothers Adam and Michael Asmus have turned it into a business opportunity. Using technology for drying and pelletizing, they sell their odorless, organic fertilizer to gardeners and farmers.
“We are trying to be proactive with regulations about where and when we can apply manure,” says Adam.
Because it goes through a heat treatment, the manure can be used anytime, which is especially useful for organic growers for farmers markets and CSAs.
The pellets are handy to use and slowly release nitrogen into the soil to last longer.
Another advantage to pelletizing is the savings in transportation costs for growers who buy in bulk.
“By densifying it, the product is a much better value for the farmer. We can put 22 to 25 tons on a truck compared to 15 tons before pelletizing,” Adam notes.
The brothers began processing this year, running about 18 tons of chicken manure to net 6 tons of pellets, three days a week. The heat-treatment process (over 180° F) eliminates pathogens and odor without destroying nutrients. Without additional ingredients, the pellets are equivalent to a 4-3-2 all-purpose organic fertilizer that also contains calcium, magnesium and sulfur.
Their manure drying equipment was imported from Germany. They bought a pelletizer from Vecoplan Midwest (www.vecoplanmidwest.com).
The brothers add nutrients for blends that are 4-6-4 and 4-8-4 for vegetable and flower gardening. Plus, they offer biochar and biochar blends that add carbon to the soil for microbial health, water retention and soil structure.
“Biochar is relatively new, though it’s an old idea. There’s not a lot of awareness of it so we’re having to educate,” Adam says, noting that they bought a biomass heating system which produces biochar from OrganiLock in Kentucky (www.organilock.com).
The brothers are networking with garden centers, cooperatives and big box stores to sell their product, while continuing to do research and development to expand their line of products.
They sell High Island fertilizers through the business’ website and through area stores in 1, 4 and 20-lb. packages (from $3.99 to $19.99). Loose bulk and 1-ton super sacks are also available.
“The 1 and 4-lb. packages are completely recyclable and resealable,” Michael says.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, High Island, 28243 505th Ave., Winthrop, Minn. 55396 (www.highislandorganics.com; info@highislandorganics.com).
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They Turn Chicken Manure Into Odorless Fertilizer Pellets LIVESTOCK Poultry The 180 000 layer hens at Asmus Egg Farms Inc in Winthrop Minn produce plenty of manure Instead of looking at that as a problem fifth generation brothers Adam and Michael Asmus have turned it into a business opportunity Using technology for drying and pelletizing they sell their odorless organic fertilizer to gardeners and farmers “We are trying to be proactive with regulations about where and when we can apply manure ” says Adam Because it goes through a heat treatment the manure can be used anytime which is especially useful for organic growers for farmers markets and CSAs The pellets are handy to use and slowly release nitrogen into the soil to last longer Another advantage to pelletizing is the savings in transportation costs for growers who buy in bulk “By densifying it the product is a much better value for the farmer We can put 22 to 25 tons on a truck compared to 15 tons before pelletizing ” Adam notes The brothers began processing this year running about 18 tons of chicken manure to net 6 tons of pellets three days a week The heat-treatment process over 180° F eliminates pathogens and odor without destroying nutrients Without additional ingredients the pellets are equivalent to a 4-3-2 all-purpose organic fertilizer that also contains calcium magnesium and sulfur Their manure drying equipment was imported from Germany They bought a pelletizer from Vecoplan Midwest www vecoplanmidwest com The brothers add nutrients for blends that are 4-6-4 and 4-8-4 for vegetable and flower gardening Plus they offer biochar and biochar blends that add carbon to the soil for microbial health water retention and soil structure “Biochar is relatively new though it’s an old idea There’s not a lot of awareness of it so we’re having to educate ” Adam says noting that they bought a biomass heating system which produces biochar from OrganiLock in Kentucky www organilock com The brothers are networking with garden centers cooperatives and big box stores to sell their product while continuing to do research and development to expand their line of products They sell High Island fertilizers through the business’ website and through area stores in 1 4 and 20-lb packages from $3 99 to $19 99 Loose bulk and 1-ton super sacks are also available “The 1 and 4-lb packages are completely recyclable and resealable ” Michael says Contact: FARM SHOW Followup High Island 28243 505th Ave Winthrop Minn 55396 www highislandorganics com; info@highislandorganics com
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