Tuesday, 30 May 2023 12:41

Craigmore embarks on NZ-first trial

Written by  Staff Reporters
L-R: Stuart Taylor (General Manager Farming, Craigmore), Professor Hong Di (Lincoln University), Carl Ahlfeld (Product Manager ClearTech & EcoPond, Agnition), Emeritus Professor Keith Cameron (Lincoln University), Elliot Mercer (General Manager Innovation, Agnition), Nikki Cameron (Operations Manager, Craigmore), Steven Melville (Business Manager, Glen Eyre Farm, Craigmore) L-R: Stuart Taylor (General Manager Farming, Craigmore), Professor Hong Di (Lincoln University), Carl Ahlfeld (Product Manager ClearTech & EcoPond, Agnition), Emeritus Professor Keith Cameron (Lincoln University), Elliot Mercer (General Manager Innovation, Agnition), Nikki Cameron (Operations Manager, Craigmore), Steven Melville (Business Manager, Glen Eyre Farm, Craigmore)

Craigmore Sustainables is trialling new technology designed to reduce methane in effluent ponds, something the company claims is a first for the New Zealand dairy industry.

The company’s 400ha dairy farm Glen Eyre in Oxford, North Canterbury will adopt EcoPond, an effluent treatment system that removes almost all methane emitted from effluent ponds with an additive normally used in the treatment of drinking water.

The technology is the result of a collaboration between Ravensdown and Lincoln University.

Craigmore’s general manager of farming, Stuart Taylor says the company is striving to be a leader in the trial and adoption of new technology.

“Craigmore recognises that farming plays an important role in both contributing to and mitigating climate change and we have an ambition to materially exceed the targets set by the Climate Change Commission through land use change and changes to existing operations,” says Taylor.

He says the EcoPond technology could play a key role in supporting farmers to reduce methane and help New Zealand meet its climate change targets.

“EcoPond is an important trial for us because we are keen to apply innovative ways to the reduction of emissions and minimise environmental impacts.”

Iron sulphate treatment is highly effective in reducing methane emissions due to increased microbial competition for organic matter substrate due to the addition of sulphate and ferric ions.

This restricts the growth of the methane-producing microorganisms known as methanogens.

Initial tests undertaken in May tested the effluent from the effluent pond after it had been treated with iron sulphate through EcoPond. This showed a 95% reduction in CH4 (methane) which is highly significant.

Taylor says the technology is an example of the primary sector leading the world in reducing emissions and playing its part in addressing climate change.

“We have several sustainability programmes in place to ensure we strike a balance between respecting the environment and running a sustainable and profitable rural operation,” he says.

Earlier this year, EcoPond became part of the newly established Ravensdown entity, Agnition. Agnition’s mission is to get innovations on farm faster.

Agnition chief executive Jasper van Halder says EcoPond is an important part of the entity’s arsenal of technology and innovations, something he says will help quickly deliver practical and sustainable on-farm solutions for New Zealand farmers and growers.

“It’s great to see Craigmore take a leadership role and demonstrate what can be achieved with EcoPond technology,” he says.

“Partnerships and innovation are required in the sector. It’s hard to beat practical on-farm use to really demonstrate the EcoPond advantage and partners like Craigmore show us the future of farming.”

More like this

Featured

Food charity to hold online auction

Meat the Need, New Zealand’s dedicated charity delivering locally sourced protein meals to food-insecure communities, is launching an online National Charity Auction.

Kiwifruit sector's big night out

The turmoil and challenges faced by the kiwifruit industry in the past 30 years were put to one side but not forgotten at a glitzy night for 400 kiwifruit growers and guests in Mt Maunganui recently.

National

Meat sector unity

Farmers are welcoming potential collaboration between the country's two major meat processors.

Machinery & Products

Landpower increases its offering

Landpower and the Claas Harvest Centre network will launch the Claas Scorpion and Torion material handling solutions to the market…

New F5 balers from McHale

Irish grassland machinery manufacturer McHale has unveiled the new four-model range of F5 fixed chamber balers.

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Mixed legacy

OPINION: You're never as good as when you're dead, and with due respect to Theo Spierings' family, the Hound can't…

Dead in the water

OPINION: In a victory for common sense over virtue signalling, David Parker's National Policy Statement (NPS) work on freshwater is…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter