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FARMING MANURE FOR MEGAWATTS
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
From the Buzz NewsletterIn a few years, a herd of Holstein cows might be powering the village of Ilderton. This is not so far-fetched, as a locally owned farm has begun turning manure into an energy resource with the help of university researchers.
In 2006, the urban sprawl of London, Ont. forced the Stanton family farm to relocate from Hyde Park to its current location near Ilderton.
Laurie Stanton and his wife Sandy, along with their children Jeff, Jim, Greg and Amy, decided this change afforded them an opportunity to rebuild their dairy operation from the barn floor up to operate efficiently and in an environmentally friendly manner.
The more than 2,000 dairy cows at Stanton Farms are valued for more than just milk. Researchers are working with the Stanton family to turn manure into electricity.
The result? Well, this is not your grandfather’s farm. Forget those sepia-toned images of farm life. The Stanton operation is a sleek, mechanized business that brings advanced technology and business practice to a sector that has long wrestled with the need for change.
“The way we look at it, agriculture is changing and larger farms are the standard rather than the exception,” says Laurie. “We wanted to do everything well ... We also want to have as little impact as possible on our neighbours.”
The farm has more than 2,000 cows, including those used for dairy production and a genetics and breeding operation.
While cattle manure is often used as a crop fertilizer, the family wanted to investigate whether the traditional waste product could be put to other uses.
The Ontario government invested $2.5 million for the completion of a biogas demonstration facility at Stanton Farms, which was developed in collaboration with The University of Western Ontario, the University of Guelph and the University of Waterloo.
All of the cow manure and on-farm wastewater is processed through the biogas system to generate methane gas.
“We’ve taken what some may see as a problem – waste that’s generated and turned it into a valuable by-product with a greater community-wide benefit,” says Garry Fortune, a consultant for Stanton Farms.
Stanton Farms consultant Garry Fortune gives University of Western Ontario Chemistry professor Bernie Kraatz a tour of biogas facility.
A contentious issue in the area of generating alternative fuels has been the use of crops that are also a food source for fuel, such as converting corn into ethanol.
By generating biogas from manure, Stanton Farms can fuel its operation without relying on non-renewable resources or competing with the food supply. In addition to manure, the farm also processes off-farm waste, such as biodegradeable material from grocery stores.
“We want to create valuable products out of low-value products ... We would sooner utilize farm waste or products than valuable products,” says Laurie. “That’s much more sustainable long-term than the other approach.”
Aside from its unpleasant smell, manure used as fertilizer produces methane, a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. By putting manure through the biogas process, methane is contained and burned as energy.
The process kills pathogens that can foul the water system and, as a bonus, odour is virtually eliminated.
The farm can produce 300 kilowatts of electricity and has the capacity to ramp up production to 1.3 megawatts, enough power for the town of Ilderton or more than 800 homes.
How does the process work?
Manure is collected from barns and deposited into troughs, much like an urban sewage system. Farm wastewater is captured and used to flush the troughs, bringing the waste to the facility to be processed by the digester tanks. Manure solids are pumped into a mixing tank and combined with off-farm organic waste, which is continuously pumped into the eight digester tanks. The anaerobic digestion process produces methane gas.
The gas is collected and burned in a cogeneration system to produce electricity supplied to the neighbouring community.
“We are the reliable renewable energy,” says Fortune. “Here we are at maximum capacity 24-7, so we are a much more reliable source of generation.”
Heat generated from burning methane gas in the cogeneration system is recaptured and used to heat the biogas building, the waste material for processing and the hot water for the farm’s in-floor radiant hot water system that heats the building during cooler seasons.
The nutrient-rich liquid byproduct of the processed manure is virtually odourless and can be used as an organic fertilizer.
Engineering professor and Associate Dean (Academic) Amarjeet Bassi is among the researchers using Stanton Farms as a large-scale test tube.
In collaboration with Stanton Farms, Bassi is testing the liquid byproduct as a nutrient source for growing microalgae (chlorella) to produce oil, which can be converted to bio-diesel. The leftover algae is food and a high-value protein supplement. Leftover water can be cleaned and used as drinking water for the cows.
This year, Bassi will take what he has learned in his Western lab and transfer it to a pilot-scale system on the farm.
Bassi will build a greenhouse with a bio-fence of five gallon tubes filled with microalgae grown on 5,000 litres a day of effluent (treated wastewater rich in fertilizer value). The algae production process uses minimum energy – using only natural light, carbon dioxide captured from burning the methane gas, and waste effluent – to produce a high-value product, he says.
“We are closing the environmental loop on the farm so they actually have no waste,” says Bassi.
There is a strong push in the United States for dairy farms to have anaerobic digesters because of the energy production and the environmental benefits in reducing greenhouse gases, says Laurie. Stanton Farms is the largest of six agricultural biogas facilities in Ontario.
But, before the farm starts powering lights in the neighbouring community of Ilderton, a few issues need to be worked out and a contract must be struck with the Ontario Power Authority to get their power onto the grid.
Meanwhile, the Stanton family continues to collaborate with researchers to keep the farm operation abreast of the changing agricultural landscape. Working with Bassi is one way the family is making farming more environmentally friendly.
“From getting something that works in the lab, it’s a big step to getting it to something that will work commercially and if that step isn’t taken, to some extent that research will be wasted,” says Laurie. “When we bring the two elements together, it could go on and be commercially viable and be a win for both ourselves and Western.”
GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO BOARD ELECTS FIRST EXECUTIVE
02/22/10
From a Release - GUELPH, ON - The Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) is pleased to announce the executive has been elected from the 2010 Board of Directors.
Don Kenny, the elected representative from District 13 – Prince Edward, Lennox-Addington, Frontenac, Lanark, Leeds, Grenville, Renfrew and Ottawa – will be GFO’s first elected Chair. Don farms 1,300 acres in the Ottawa-Carleton area of the province.
The Vice Chair, from District 10 – Grey, Bruce, Wellington – is Henry Van Ankum, a cash crop farmer in Alma with 1,200 acres of corn, soybeans and wheat. Mark Huston from District 2 in Kent will be the 2nd Vice Chair for 2010. Mark has an 1,100 acre family farm in Thamesville, as well as 1,100 finishing pigs. The Executive Member on our first GFO elected board will be Kevin Marriott from District 3 in Lambton. Kevin farms 1,100 acres of corn, soybeans and wheat in Petrolia.
“The new Grain Farmers of Ontario executive and full board are looking forward to a productive year that will include strategic planning and policy development along with the establishment of each one of our committees,” says GFO’s new Chair, Don Kenny
CME GROUP ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF DISTILLERS’ DRIED GRAIN CONTRACTS
02/18/10
From Feedstuffs - CME Group, the world’s leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace, today announced the launch of Distillers’ Dried Grain agricultural commodity futures contracts, scheduled to begin trading April 26. These contracts are listed with, and subject to, the rules and regulations of the CBOT.
Distillers’ Dried Grains, a byproduct of corn-produced ethanol, is used for animal feed, including livestock and dairy cows. The electronically traded and physically delivered futures contracts can be used by livestock and ethanol producers, commercial corn interests and others to lock in the price of feed or to hedge their ethanol refining margin in combination with corn, natural gas and ethanol futures.
“This product will enable our feed customers to directly manage price risk of feed inputs that they haven’t been able to before,” said Tim Andriesen, CME Group Managing Director for Commodities. “Using the Distillers’ Dried Grain futures, along with our corn, natural gas and ethanol contracts, also allows real margin management for participants in the fast-growing ethanol sector, once again highlighting the synergies of the CME Group product suite.”
Each contract is equivalent to 100 short tons of Distillers’ Dried Grains. Deliverable grades must include a minimum of 26% protein and 8% fat as well a maximum of 12% fiber content and 11.5% moisture content.
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To view these articles online, please visit us on the web at
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AgriLink Upcoming Events
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Event - Middlesex Soil and Crop Annual Meeting, Date - February 23, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - Coldstream Community Centre
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Event - Business Planning Workshop Date - February 23, 2010 Time - 7:45 AM Place - Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce, 54 Fourth St., Chatham Contact Name - 519-352-7540 Email - info@chatham-kentchamber.ca
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Event - Elgin National Farmers Union Annual General Meeting Date - February 23, 2010 Time - 6:00 PM Place - Old Town Hall Theatre in Aylmer Contact Name - Chris Dancey (519)773-5273 Website - www.nfuontario.ca/elgin
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Event - ON THE ROAD AGAIN-Information Meeting with the MTO about Farm Vehicles on the Road Date - February 24, 2010 Time - 7:00 PM Place - Essex Civic Centre, Room C
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Event - Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Convention Date - February 24,2010 to February 25, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Brock University, St. Catharines Website - http://www.ofvc.ca/
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Event - Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting Date - February 24,2010 to February 25, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Doubletree by Hilton - Toronto Airport Website - http://cattle.guelph.on.ca/
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Event - New York Farm Show Date - February 25,2010 to February 27, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Syracuse, NY Website - http://www.newyorkfarmshow.com
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Event - MICRO-FIT SOLAR WORKSHOP Date - February 25, 2010 Time - 2:00 PM Place - Essex Civic Centre - Council Chambers Contact Name - Gayle Bogart, MSR for Essex/Kent
1-800-222-8172
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Event - MICRO-FIT SOLAR WORKSHOP Date - February 25, 2010 Time - 7:00 PM Place - Essex Civic Centre - Council Chambers Contact Name - Gayle Bogart, MSR for Essex/Kent
1-800-222-8172
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Event - 43rd Annual Canadian International Turfgrass Conference & Trade Show Date - February 26,2010 to March 2, 2010 Place - Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel Email - cgsa@golfsupers.com Website - www.golfsupers.com/toronto2010
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Event - Ontario 4-H Annual General Meeting Date - February 27, 2010 Place - Waterloo Inn and Conference Centre, Waterloo
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Event - Does It Pay? Tools to Answer Your Own Farm Electricity Questions, One day short course Date - March 2, 2010 Place - Clinton Contact Name - Julie VanMol
ph: 519-674-1575
Email - jvanmol@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca
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Event - Environmental Farm Plan Meeting-Lambton-Day Two-Mar. 9 Date - March 2, 2010 Time - 9:30 AM Place - Wyoming Legion Contact Name - OSCIA at 519-826-4214 Website - www.ontariosoilcrop.org/EFP/EFP.htm
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Event - CAFA Meeting Date - March 3, 2010 Time - 7:30 AM Place - Chatham, Satellite Restaurant, King St. W. Contact Name - Ron Vandehogen, 519 676-9849 Email - ron.vandehogen@sunlife.com
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Event - Seed Corn Growers of Ontario Annual Meeting Date - March 3, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - Blenheim, Deer Run Golf Course, 19605 Bloomfield Road Contact Name - Mary Lynn Lister Santavy
Executive Director
SEED CORN GROWERS OF ONTARIO
825 Park Avenue West
Chatham, Ontario N7M 5J6
Phone: 519-352-6710
Fax: 519-352-0526 Email - msantavy@seedcorngrowers.on.ca
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Event - Elgin County Conference Series: Evolution of the Harvest Date - March 3, 2010 Place - Elgin County Contact Name - 519-631-1260 ext 164
Website - www.progressivebynature.com
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Event - Environmental Farm Plan Meeting for Kent, Day Two-Mar 10 Date - March 3, 2010 Time - 9:30 AM Place - Ridgetown Contact Name - Ron Faubert 519-352-1285 Email - kent@ontariosoilcrop.org
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Event - Careers in Green Energy Summit Date - March 4, 2010 Time - 9:30 AM Place - RDC bldg, Ridgetown Campus, UoG Contact Name - 519-967-9957 Email - Karen.Mingay@chathamkentworkforce.com
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Event - District 1 Sheep meeting , Date - March 4, 2010 Time - 8:00 PM Place - Coldstream Community Centre Contact Name - Bill Duffield
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Event - Ontario Veal Association Annual Meetng Date - March 5, 2010
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Event - LAMBTON COUNTY WOODLOT OWNER ASSOCIATION ANNUAL Date - March 6, 2010 Time - 1:00 PM Place - Brooke Alvinston Inwood Community Centre Complex Contact Name - Frank Gustin Ph: (519) 882-0946 Email - gustinfrankandgail@sympatico.ca Alt Contact Name - Donald Craig Ph: (519) 695-2028 Alt Email - dcraigtreeman@sympatico.ca
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Event - Grain Farmers of Ontario Annual Meeting & Conference Date - March 8,2010 to March 9, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - London Convention Centre
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Event - 4th Annual Growing the Margins Conference Date - March 8,2010 to March 12, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - London Convention Centre Contact Name - First Stage Enterprises; 416-426-7029 Website - www.gtmconference.ca
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Event - Agri-Energy Producers’ Association of Ontario Annual Meeting Date - March 8, 2010 Time - 5:00 PM Place - London Hilton, 300 King Street, London Contact Name - Ag Business Centre, Ridgetown ON
Phone: 519 674 1592 Fax: 519 674 1512
Email - abc@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca Alt Contact Name - T: 613 838 6505 F: 613 838 6505 C: 613 883 6505 Alt Email - nfoss@apao.ca Alt Website - www.apao.ca
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Event - Western Fair Farm Show Date - March 10,2010 to March 12, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Western Fair Grounds, London Contact Name - (800) 619-4629 or (519) 438-7203 Website - http://www.westernfair.com/shows/farm.html
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Event - Emergency First Aid/ CPR course Date - March 13, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - Ridgetown Campus, University of Guelph Contact Name - KFA office 519-674-1595 Email - kent@ofa.on.ca
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Event - Does It Pay? Tools to Answer Your Own Farm Electricity Questions Date - March 23, 2010 Place - Vineland Station Contact Name - Julie VanMol
ph: 519-674-1575 Email - jvanmol@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca
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Event - Ontario Sugarbeet Growers Association Annual Meeting Date - March 24, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - Wyoming Fairgrounds Contact Name - Mary Lynn Lister Santavy, 519-352-6710 Email - osga@ciaccess.com
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Event - MICRO-FIT SOLAR WORKSHOP Date - March 25, 2010 Time - 2:00 PM Place - RDC bldg, Ridgetown Campus, UoG Contact Name - Gayle Bogart, MSR for Essex/Kent
1-800-222-8172
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Event - MICRO-FIT SOLAR WORKSHOP Date - March 25, 2010 Time - 7:00 PM Place - RDC bldg, Ridgetown Campus, UoG Contact Name - Gayle Bogart, MSR for Essex/Kent
1-800-222-8172
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Event - Grain Drying & Storage Workshop Date - March 25, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - Sincoe Contact Name - Ag Business Centre, University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus
1-866-222-9682 or 519-674-1592
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Event - Grain Drying & Storage Workshop Date - March 26, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - Chatham Contact Name - Ag Business Centre, University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus
1-866-222-9682 or 519-674-1592
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Event - “A Taste of Lambton-Kent” Gala Fundraising Dinner & Charity Date - March 26, 2010 Time - 1:00 PM Place - Ridgetown Campus, Willson Hall Contact Name - Dennis Bryson
Chair, Lambton - Kent Agriculture in the Classroom
Phone: 519.828.3311
Email - dline@xcelco.on.ca
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Event - Chatham Kent Association of Christian Farmers Annual Banquet Date - March 26, 2010 Time - 5:30 PM Place - Chatham, Smitty's Pancake House, Grand Ave. W. Contact Name - Jacques at 519-682-1057 Alt Contact Name - Jim at 519-692-3293
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Event - Local Food Connection: Farmer Food Buyer Networking Event Date - March 29, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - London Hunt and Country Club Contact Name - 519-232-9638 / 1-888-832-9638 Email - kareneatwell@execulink.com Website - www.ledc.com
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Event - 12th ANNUAL SOUTHWEST BEEF FOCUS Date - March 30, 2010 Time - 5:30 PM Place - Brooke Alvinston Inwood Community Centre Complex Contact Name - Margaret May 519-287-5334
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Event - London Swine Conference Date - March 31,2010 to April 1, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - London Convention Centre Contact Name - Linda Dillon at 519-482-3333 Email - Linda.dillon@ontario.ca Website - http://www.londonswineconference.ca/
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Event - District 1 Sheep Meeting Date - April 4, 2010 Time - 8:00 PM Place - Coldstream Community Centre Contact Name - Bill Duffield
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Event - Grain Drying & Storage Workshop Date - April 6, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - Elora Contact Name - Ag Business Centre, University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus
1-866-222-9682 or 519-674-1592
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Event - Poultry Industry Conference and Exhibition Date - April 14,2010 to April 15, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Western Fair Grounds, London Website - http://www.westernfair.com/shows/poultry.html
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Event - OIA Conference and Annual General Meeting Date - April 16,2010 to April 17, 2010 Place - Hilton Garden Inn, Niagara-on-the-Lake
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Event - Annual Ontario Pork Congress Date - June 23,2010 to June 24, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Stratford Website - www.porkcongress.on.ca
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Event - Progressive Agriculture / Chatham-Kent Farm Safety Day Date - July 21, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Ridgetown Campus, University of Guelph Contact Name - Sue Kelner 519-674-1584 Email - skelner@ridgetwonc.uoguelph.ca
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To view these listings online, please visit us on the web at
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John Jordan
Editor, AgriLink and Farm Market News
University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus
Tel. 519-674-1577
Fax. 519-674-1530
E-mail: jjordan@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca
AgriLink website : www.ridgetownc.com/agrilink
