A team of researchers from Northern Ireland (NI) is investigating the potential of manures to contribute to the reduction of carbon footprints and related emissions, going beyond their current status as mere waste products. The work, undertaken by the Agri-Food and Bioscience Institute (Afbi), forms part of the NI government’s plans to reach net zero.
According to the Statistics and Research Agency, agriculture is the country’s biggest greenhouse gas emitter, responsible for 27% of all emissions in 2020. These emissions are made up of methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide – all three of which are often associated with livestock production and, in particular, the management and handling of manure and slurry.
At Afbi’s Hillsborough research centre, the approach of using manure to reduce carbon footprints and emissions involves utilising slurry separation technology and anaerobic digestion (AD) to optimise the application of slurry. Anaerobic digestion is a process in which micro organisms break down organic materials, in this case manure. This process produces biogas, a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide, which can be used as a source of energy.
The remaining solid waste, known as digestate, is used by farmers as a biofertiliser. Anaerobic digestate spreading is a great alternative to synthetically generated fertilisers, providing organic matter and vital nutrients to enrich the soil. This process reduces the reliance on fossil fuel dependent mineral fertilisers, reducing the emission of greenhouse gases and the cultivation’s carbon footprint.
FGS Organics are specialists in the supply and spreading of digestate. Due to its ability to restore soil health and rejuvenate local ecosystems through organic means, digestate is increasingly being favoured over bagged fertilisers for arable and forage crops. Not only is digestate hugely beneficial to soil, farms can expect to see a higher crop yield and a reduction in annual fertiliser spread.
For more information on the logistics of replacing manufactured fertilisers with digestate and the associated costs, please contact the FGS Organics team on 01233 820055 or complete our contact form.
