6 FARM NEWS APR / MAY 2021 • farmers-mart . co . uk
Beware oversold energy installations , warns Roadnight Taylor
RENEWABLE energy offers huge potential for many farms , but landowners should be warned that some energy firms are trying to sell unfeasibly large installations .
The appeals of investing in an on-farm renewable energy project range from cutting energy bills to reducing carbon footprint , but farmers are being mis-sold large-scale systems that they do not need , explains Hugh Taylor , CEO at independent energy consultant Roadnight Taylor . “ When firms quote for a new renewable installation , they may push for the ‘ bigger-is-better ’ option , however most farms are unlikely to need anything that large or expensive .”
Dairy farmers Clive and Andrew Gurney installed a 38.4kW photovoltaic unit on his farm in 2012 , but when later looking to expand this , a solar installer encouraged him to invest far beyond his needs .
Having installed four robotic milkers in 2016 and when they were milking 250 cows at Abbey Court Farm , Leominster , the Gurneys were keen to continually invest in their business and improve upon the already high standards of animal welfare and environmental care . “ The whole objective of the farm was to be as sustainable as possible – from growing almost all feed to recycling farm manures and collecting run-off ,” explains Clive Gurney .
“ The original PV system fitted perfectly into this ethos as we have so many large , south-facing roofs and it was common sense to make use of the subsidies for self-generated energy .”
As part of the investment plan , the Gurneys started to look at reducing their carbon emissions as much as possible – something their milk buyer was also encouraging . “ One idea was to put more solar panels on the roofs , so we arranged a visit with a salesman .”
This visit resulted in an initial quote of £ 143,268 plus VAT for a 120kW installation plus a battery storage unit . “ The salesman
Clive Guerny
said it was fool-proof and we wouldn ’ t have to buy any electricity , especially if we used storage batteries , plus we could sell back to the grid ,” says Mr Gurney .
“ We immediately thought it was worth getting independent advice so went to Dairy Tech to source this . With anything like this , if you invest you get locked-in , so it ’ s important to do as much research as possible ,” he explains . “ I met Hugh Taylor from Roadnight Taylor at the show and had a long conversation with him which fired off alarm bells . Roadnight Taylor then carried out a feasibility study and said the 120kW quote was ridiculous .” Spilling so much excess energy onto the grid would have earned relatively little , and the business would have had to invest in extra plant to handle the extra power , adding £ 10,000 to the costs .
The independent study highlighted that the business needed no more than an extra 25kW of solar panels to best meet its demands , with a payback of about eight years and a net benefit of around £ 2,000 a year , after the initial installation costs .
It also identified low-cost energy efficiency measures , and noted the potential for a small AD plant to use the farm slurry . “ As a result , we didn ’ t undertake any further expansion to our solar panels and are now looking at the other potential areas in which to invest .”
Given the complexities of running a farm business and the changing renewable markets , seeking independent advice is incredibly valuable , says Mr Gurney .
“ An important thing for me was the element of trust with Roadnight Taylor – they weren ’ t trying to sell me something but were trying to look after my interests . It means I can approach them again and know that the information they provide will be worthwhile .”
For more information call 01993 830571 or visit www . roadnighttaylor . co . uk
Simpsons Malt assists farming partners in earning FSA Gold accreditation
SIMPSONS Malt has shown its commitment to sustainability from seed to maltings by assisting all its farming partners who currently grow malting barley on contract in becoming accredited to the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative ( SAI ) Platform ’ s world-renowned Farm Sustainability Assessment ( FSA ).
A total of 422 of the company ’ s farming partners across Scotland and northern England achieved Gold performance level through the FSA , which is a highly effective , multi-purpose tool that helps farmers and food and drink companies around the world produce , sell and source more sustainably grown agricultural products , audited through one industry-wide assessment .
There are three tiers of FSA accreditation : Bronze , Silver and Gold . By achieving the highest performance level of FSA Gold , it means that these farming partners are able to demonstrate they use first class sustainable farming practices , while it also provides them with secure market access as it allows them to do business with companies that are interested in sustainable sourcing .
For Simpsons Malt , which has its own agricultural merchanting division – McCreath Simpson & Prentice – it is certification that the fifth generation , family business is sourcing 100 % sustainable barley from their contracted growers for the production of their quality malts , grown with the best sustainable practices on a global scale .
This extensive group of contracted growers are also now part of what is the only FSA Gold verified Farm Management Group for barley in the United Kingdom .
Speaking about the FSA Gold accreditation of 422 of the company ’ s malting barley growers , Andy Hindhaugh , Simpsons Malt Commercial Director , said : “ As a business , of which our agricultural merchanting division is a significant part , promoting sustainable agricultural practices and crop production is incredibly important to us .
“ We ’ d like to acknowledge the efforts and cooperation of all our malting barley growers towards the FSA , the result of which will provide many benefits for them , including their alignment with a global industry benchmark for on-farm sustainability and continuous improvement .
“ As for us , with our malting division continuing to grow overseas , it is important that our certifications are recognised on a global level and FSA Gold does just that . It also shows our end user customers in the brewing , distilling and food industries that they are receiving 100 % sustainable barley from our contracted growers , which is becoming ever more important to many of them as part of their own sustainability objectives .
“ With our recently completed acquisition of W . N . Lindsay Ltd , we will be taking the opportunity to get many of our new contracted growers of malting barley and wheat up to FSA Gold standard as well .”
Malting barley grower Guy Moor , whose farm near the town of Wooler , Northumberland , was fully audited as part of the FSA assessment process , said : “ All farmers are becoming increasingly aware of the need to adopt more sustainable practices so when my McCreath Simpson & Prentice rep told me that the company planned to get all of its malting barley growers FSA accredited , I was fully supportive and willing to do what was required on my farm to attain it .
“ I learned a lot during the intensive audit and , now that my FSA Gold status has been confirmed , I ’ d like to thank the McCreath Simpson & Prentice team for their assistance throughout the process and I ’ m excited about what opportunities this globally recognised accreditation may bring from a market point of view moving forward .”