If you have agricultural products which are not in prime market condition, there are still ways to use them effectively if you do not want to dispose of them. Some of these uses are restricted by state rules and regulations.
Seed
Uncertified: Seed which is not certified and which you do not wish to use can be disposed of as feed or processed for use with other food products such as breads, soups, or in extractive processes (i.e., hops). If you plan do dispose of the seed as a solid waste, contact your local health district office.
Fruits and Vegetables
- Alfalfa: If alfalfa has no flowers, but is of a lower grade than dairy quality, it can be pelleted and used for feed. Seed screens are waste and cannot be used as a food source. However, it may be composted. Contact the Idaho Department of Agriculture for more information.
- Beans: Beans which are diseased must be plowed under. They cannot be used for any other purpose.
- Cull Onions: Cull onions can either be covered in pits or dumps or used as feed. In either case, culls should be removed from feeding areas and covered in pits with at least 1 foot of uncontaminated soil by March 15. Treat the pits with 10% granular Ethion at the rate of 30-40 pounds per acre beginning no later than April 1 and continuing at 10 day intervals until May 1.
- Fruit: Off-grade fruits can either be used for juice or as feed.
- Potato Seed: Idaho has 4 crop management zones regulating the use of potato wastes.
- Sugar Beets: The primary concern with sugar beets is the presence of rhizomania.