Dairy processing firm Arla is planning to use a new form of biofuel to power its plants – cow dung.
The firm is keen to reduce its carbon footprint and has hit upon the idea of using ‘poo power’ to run some of its milk tankers, instead of diesel, the Scottish Farmer reports.
Furthermore, following a successful trail last year, Arla said it wanted this form of power to be used to generate energy for homes. This trial saw 190 tonnes of manure from over 500 cows being converted into 27,000 kg of biofuel, which was used to power trucks and also act as a fuel station for one of the farms supplying the company with milk.
It estimated that the carbon footprint of the firm was reduced by 80 tonnes over the period of the trial.
Among the farmers involved in the trial was Ian Barker, who said: “Many of us recognise how valuable a cow’s milk is, but many aren’t aware that manure is just as important. Processing cow manure in this manner provides us with a limitless source of energy.”
In addition, he noted, “The digestate, or solid matter, left over after the process makes an even richer fertiliser for my fields, so it’s a win-win.”
This benefit may be an important one for the dairy sector, as it is often the target of environmentalists who argue that the methane output of cattle is a major contributor to global warming, while beef is more carbon-intensive to produce than other forms of meat.
In this respect, beef is like lamb, as both cattle and sheep are ruminants, which means their digestive system produces large quantities of methane. The same does not apply to alternatives such as white meat from poultry, fish or shellfish, or plant-based foods.
For that reason, cattle farming may need to go on doing more to create carbon-free biofuel to help improve its environmental credentials.
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Milk buyer Arla develops ‘poo power’ as renewable energy | The Scottish Farmer
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