-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 HJJXsAkg2Mlta3mNu/UNhyJCkKQr/BjawvC7BXCvqwwNmgx8g5Hhzi9M8JVX5k5i
 KOqPmSV+ikYXu3luWKy1rA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000009326-03-000014.txt : 20031020
<SEC-HEADER>0000009326-03-000014.hdr.sgml : 20031020
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031020162548
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000009326-03-000014
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031017
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031020

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WEDRAL ELAINE R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001267533

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13648
		FILM NUMBER:		03948014

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O BALCHEM CORP
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 600
		CITY:			NEW HAMPTON
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10958

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BALCHEM CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000009326
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CHEMICALS & ALLIED PRODUCTS [2800]
		IRS NUMBER:				132578432
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 175
		CITY:			SLATE HILL
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10973
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9143555345

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 175
		CITY:			SLATE HILL
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10973
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-10-17</periodOfReport>


    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000009326</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BALCHEM CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>bcp</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001267533</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WEDRAL ELAINE R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O BALCHEM CORP</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>P O BOX 600</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW HAMPTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10958</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>BCP Common Stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>20.4</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-10-17</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-10-17</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>

    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Option vests at 100% on issue date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Sign-on grant upon acceptance of Board of Director position.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Elaine R. Wedral</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-10-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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