Fluctuations in crop and livestock markets can seriously damage small farms, leaving questions about stability from year to year. But market volatility is just one reason ag businesses are looking to incorporate biogas production for farms and communities.
New technology in the field of anaerobic digestion is changing how farms do business, and it’s no surprise to those who know how biogas production works.
What Is Farm-Sourced Biogas?
Farm-sourced biogas is generated through anaerobic digestion of waste products that nearly every farm already produces. Livestock bedding, manure, and organic food waste decompose to produce gases like methane, but harvesting that methane requires special technology.
But with an anaerobic digestion system, methane can be captured, collected, and purified. That methane can be turned into renewable natural gas (RNG), which can then be used as a replacement for geologically sourced natural gas.
The Top 8 Benefits of Biogas Production for Farms
Biogas production for farms does more than just improve the bottom line. Biogas can boost the economy of local communities, decrease the cost of farming, and improve the environment. And it’s a renewable resource, making it a viable option for building more resilient agricultural income streams when crop and livestock prices experience significant drops.
- Energy replacement
- Extra revenue
- Recurring and diversified revenue streams
- Reduced fuel needs
- Organic fertilizer as a byproduct of biogas production
- Reduced risk of runoff from animal waste
- Safer working environment
- Carbon-negative fuel
Economic Benefits of Biogas Production for Farms
For small farms, an independent RNG digester can produce more than enough biogas to reduce or replace a farm’s energy demands. From electricity to heating and cooking, biogas production for farms means less money out the door. And when a surplus is produced, the biogas can be sold to the local grid for extra revenue.
For larger farming operations, biogas production becomes an opportunity for consistent and reliable income diversification when working with energy companies that integrate RNG producers into a larger pipeline system.
Agricultural Benefits of Biogas Production for Farms
Farms that utilize on-site biogas production have the advantage of using this renewable fuel to power their homes, buildings, and even vehicles. But the byproduct of farm-sourced biogas is just as valuable.
The digestate that remains after biogas is collected from the digesters can be utilized as ready-to-use organic fertilizer. The digestate replaces the use of harsh chemicals while replenishing nutrients and decreasing pathogens on farms. That equates to healthier crops, healthier animals, and less cost to grow bigger yields.
Environmental Benefits of Biogas Production for Farms
Farm-sourced biogas changes the way farms operate within the ecosystem as well. Animal waste products are hazardous to the environment, the people managing them, and the cattle themselves. Anaerobic digestion turns this waste into safe and usable products that reduce runoff and eliminate the need for chemicals that could do serious harm to wildlife.
Farm-sourced biogas goes one step further for environmental concerns by replacing carbon-heavy fuels with a carbon-negative alternative. Biogas production keeps methane and other greenhouse gases from escaping into the atmosphere while also decreasing the demand for geologically sourced natural gas.
Incorporating Biogas Production in Your Farm Operations
Whether you’re looking for a small facility to decrease farm costs, an alternative that provides more sustainable ag operations, or a fully integrated biogas pipeline supply to drive new income, you’ll need to find the right companies to partner with. If you’re ready to add a biogas production facility to your farm but don’t know where to start, here are some steps you can take to get started.
- Contact Technology Providers: find a company that specializes in anaerobic digestion technology. This is the equipment that makes biogas production possible.
- Coordinate with Engineers: find experienced engineers who work with technology providers and farms to design the right system for their specific needs.
- Hire a General Contractor: find a company that knows how to smoothly run the digester construction process from end to end.
- Arrange Construction: contact subcontractors for concrete, groundwork, and general construction needs, specifically with large-scale building projects.
- Begin Production: once your facility is built, find skilled operations managers who will keep the facility running properly.
This is a complex process for individuals without experience in the field of biogas production, but Brooks Construction knows how to coordinate with top providers, investors, and contractors to get your project started and completed on time and within budget. Contact us today to set your plans in motion!
