Written by cpm
Growing crops for anaerobic digesters is enjoying a resurgence in interest. CPM visits KWS’s maize headquarters to find out the key factors worth considering when growing for gas. Growing crops for biogas needs as much thought, planning and husbandry expertise as cropping for food. By Charlotte Cunningham Growing crops for biogas has increased in popularity in recent years, largely due to the uptake of Feed in Tarriff (FiT) and Renewable Heat Incentives (RHI) schemes, with the industry in the UK now largely at full deployment. Growers producing contract feedstock for nearby plants as a source of additional income alongside traditional combinable crops, has consequently placed energy crops as a key part of some arable rotations. Yield response in energy maize is highest with later varieties (above FAO 200). To feed an AD plant, high output feedstock crops are required, however, growing crops for energy — rather than for food — has led to problems with reduced methane yield and poor usage of available land. “Continental experience shows clearly that the selection and growing of crops for biogas needs as much careful thought, planning and husbandry expertise as cropping for food,” explains John Burgess, maize product manager and…
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