March 11, 2008

 

Bioenergy could turn fortunes round for UK pig farmers
 

 

Energy could become the main income for pig producers and pork production could become a byproduct, according to Martin Barker, managing director of UK company Midland Pig Producers (MPP).

 

For Barker, biogas production - which involves the conversion of pig litter into methane and then electricity - can move the industry forward in a time when the world is focused on renewable energy.

 

MPP is currently developing a concept in which litter from 52,000 finishing pigs will be used to generate electricity worth US$2 million per year. A biogas plant is being built in Staffordshire and it will process waste into fertiliser.

 

The company is now trying to tie up a deal with local farmers; MPP will supply the farmers with free seed and fertilisers, and the farmers will sell grain to MPP at prices that reflect input value. The fertiliser should be adequate for 2,000-hectares of land that produces grain for 15,000 tonnes of pig feed.

"Pig farmers survival might depend on energy production and such a system could make pig farming profitable again," said Barker.

 

Most lands in UK are Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ), and many farms have to deal with IPPC regulations. Feed conversion and nitrogen fertilisers create an overwhelming amount of nitrate, which causes water pollution and could also harm aquatic species and human health.

 

The bio-digester would produce heat for pig farms and lower-priced electricity for grain milling. In addition, it would also reduce the amount of nitrate that is being produced.

 

Feed prices are likely to continue rising, but Hugh Burton, raw material manager for Associated British Nutrition (ABN), said there would be more co products from the biofuel sector and pig producers can benefit from these if they change their farm feeding methods.

 

Biodiesel production from soy and oilseed could result in more oilseed meals on the market, which would lead to the production of glycerol that can be used in pig feed.

 

These ingredients would not be cheap, but they would be cheaper when compared to grains, said Burton.

 

ABN now has switched from just a feed company to one that is providing advices and information on the feed market and usage of these co-products, according to Burton.