June 10, 2004
A rural company is providing farmers with an environmentally, cost effect manure management technique.
Tom Smith, Owner of Global Earth Products, has become a world leader with the development of two advanced machines that aerobically composts solid or liquid manure into an odourless, pathogen free organic fertilizer. Composting manure can eliminate the risk of contaminating the surface or ground water caused by leaching and runoff while dramatically reducing storage requirements and costs.
“Dealing with manure has become an international problem,” says Smith.
The concept was developed in 1993 when many Canadian municipalities started implementing nutrient management plans. The manure composting provided by Global Earth Products ensures safe, cost effective handling of livestock manure necessary to comply with nutrient management plans. Two composting machines, the Marvel and Mini Marvel developed by Global Earth Products use a batch composting process, both have a highly positive environmental impact.
The machine is attached to six-foot-high, 12-foot-wide concrete walls that are filled with manure and any carbon based material, such as straw or woodchips, is mixed in with the manure. Three times an hour air is forced through the manure through an aerated floor, which gives oxygen to compost the material. The manure is turned twice a week. Any excess liquid is drained towards a channel to the barn manure tanks. The machine is inside using either a conventional or "soft top" barn to avoid any rainwater to enter and to keep the temperature in check. The composter runs off 220 power and needs a backup diesel generator.
Global Earth Products is valuing the compost at $30 tonne comparable to compost sold from landfills. Smith says that Global Earth will buy the compost from the farmer and sell the compost under the Utopia Gold label. The compost is higher in organic matter and very low in fertility than landfill compost.
Tom Smith says that composting will work under commercial conditions. "Our order book is open." The Mini Mavel composter costs about $100,000, which could handle 50 livestock units. This includes the cost of the composting machine, and the building. The larger unit holds more than one million gallons of manure costing $250,000. There are economies of scale with larger operations. Smith says a single mixing machine would work on more channels, in a larger building. The composters have the potential to replace land purchases for farmers who don’t have anywhere to put their manure.
Global Earth Products entrepreneurship has improved rural development creating the opportunity for many jobs. This product has the potential to affect millions who live in rural communities. It provides a means of better environmental practices for farmers and the positive relations with neighbours will be increased with the odourless feature of the system. The Marvel composter claims to eliminate the harsh odour of manure spreading that brings the neighbours to tears.
“The public has been seeing all the negative side of what's happening with agriculture," Smith says. "It's time for them to see the positives, too."
Ridgetown College currently has a test installation in place and a functioning system in at Michigan State University for their manure management.