Farming Monthly National June 2016 | Page 38

| Energy UK Ad & Biogas 2016 The benefits of Anaerobic Digestion (AD) to the environment and farming are many; to the farm business perhaps the most important is a steady revenue stream. D, a natural process which recycles farm materials and food waste into energy and biofertiliser, plays a key role in supporting climate-smart farming and food production. It has been recognised by the Committee on Climate Change as a vital technology for cutting carbon emissions in farming. To find out more, we invite you to join our annual Farmers’ Breakfast Briefing at the industry’s biggest annual event, UK AD & Biogas 2016, at 8.30 am on 6th July. This free event, featuring arable and livestock farmers and experienced advisers, is for both those looking to learn more about how AD can benefit their farm, as well as existing operators. The briefing will provide an opportunity for you to hear the latest news in the market, and engage with the challenges, issues and benefits of A the AD process. With first-hand case studies on the best feedstock to use, maximising gas yields, capturing heat and developing business plans, this informal Breakfast Briefing will offer an opportunity to learn best practice from experienced operators, and find out whether AD still stacks up for farmers. Overall the UK AD industry’s future prospects are under serious threat from ill-considered policies which challenge the continued commercial viability of new AD sites. According to proposals in a government consultation, set out last week by the Department for Energy and Climate Change, Feed-in Tariffs for larger 500kWe anaerobic digestion sites will fall to zero, and tariffs for small and medium plants cut by a further 27%. The impact of this will be discussed, alongside the future opportunities for policy support. UK AD & Biogas 2016 will present an opportunity to attend seminars focused specifically on farming issues, including case studies and how this has the potential to open up a whole new market for developers, what obstacles currently stand in the way and what are the best markets for this technology? You can also hear insights from current operators on accessing the grid and selling your energy through AD and updates on government policy around land use, digestate and feedstocks. The programme also includes discussion of a recent International Energy Agency Task 37 report into small scale farm digesters which stated that AD could potentially provide a viable solution to slurry management. In the show’s Research and Innovation Hub delegates will be able to participate in a session looking at the viability and sustainability of farm AD, considering emissions, green energy, fiscal incentives and conflicting policy signals. Whatever role AD plays for you, we hope that you will join us in Birmingham. Register for FREE today http://adbioresources.org/uk-adbiogas-2016/ If you’d like a free initial assessment, contact one of ADBA’s consultants Visit UK AD & Biogas 6th - 7th July 2016 at the NEC Birmingham register at: http://adbioresources.org/uk-ad-biogas-2016 38 | Farming Monthly | June 2016 www.farmingmonthly.co.uk