February 24, 2010

VFF Egg Group explores most effective hen disposal solution

Australia's Victorian Farmers Federation's (VFF) Egg Group is collaborating with Bio-Cogen to explore the opportunities in designing, building and operating a bio-energy plant to provide an environmentally friendly, cost effective and humane solution to dispose spent hens.

VFF Egg Group President Brian Ahmed said the Victorian egg industry needs a contemporary and environmentally friendly manner of disposing spent hens.

Until recently, the industry had no issues in disposing spent hens due to good broiler meat demand, but demand has since been on a steady decline while the industry continues to grow.

With a growing number of spent hens, it is crucial to find an alternative disposal method, or the cost of disposal will threaten the financial viability of egg farmers, said Ahmed.

Under the collaboration agreement, Bio-Cogen will provide resources to conduct the feasibility assessment and manage project development. The VFF Egg Group will provide information to support development work, negotiate a feedstock agreement and determine the level of equity investment likely to be available.

The feasibility study will research the disposal of spent hens through an anaerobic digestion process, which will produce energy and fertiliser, consequently earning renewable energy certificates. On completion of a successful feasibility study, Bio-Cogen will construct the plant at a location determined by the study.

The plant will have a 2MW capacity and will cost between A$12–A15 million (US$10.7-US$12.5 million), said Ahmed, adding that Bio-Cogen has access to multiple sites across regional Victoria including an industrial site in Bendigo.