The Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has launched a new video today (26 June) to encourage more farmers to use anaerobic digestate as a renewable fertiliser.
The video, ‘Using digestate as a renewable fertiliser’, has been released to provide practical advice for farmers and agronomists on ‘how to maximise the supply of nutrients to crops’ and how digestate can be ‘balanced with standard fertilisers’.
Filmed at Agrivert’s Wallingford anaerobic digestion (AD) facility in Oxfordshire, the video contains information on how including digestate in nutrient management plans can ‘increase the potential to grow healthy crops’.
The video also includes advice on cost management and tips on application timings and techniques.
Taking a tour of the Wallingford AD plant, the video outlines the benefits of using digestate, which according to WRAP, is ‘rich in readily available nitrogen, as well as containing phosphate, potash, sulphur, magnesium and trace elements’.
WRAP research suggests that using digestate together with conventional fertilisers can ‘increase yields above those from using conventional fertilisers alone’.
A guide on how to use the free MANNER-NPKonline tool for advice on integrating digestate into nutrient management plans is also included in the video.
Potential to save ‘£300 per hectare’
WRAP claims that by using digestate, farmers could experience economic benefits as well as ‘helping to reduce emissions to the environment’.
Ian Wardle, Head of Organics Programme WRAP, said: “The potential benefits of using anaerobic digestate as a renewable fertiliser are significant. WRAP field experiments found that crop yields were greater when grown using a combination of anaerobic digestate and fertiliser, than for crops grown using standard fertilisers alone.
“Combined with the fertiliser savings, the increased yields could deliver an additional £300 per hectare. This video is a great way to find out more about using digestate, and shows how easy it is to use.”
David Clarke, Chief Executive of Red Tractor, a food assurance scheme covering safety, animal welfare and environmental standards, added: “We welcome the development of this WRAP video highlighting best practice to farmers who may use anaerobic digestate as a biofertiliser.
“Our farm assurance standards require farmers to ensure that organic materials are applied to land in a way that minimises the risk of contamination or pollution, and this video will help them understand more about how to apply digestate appropriately.”
Farmers interested in the possibility of producing their own anaerobic digestate on their own property can apply for financial support through the On-Farm AD fund, administered by WRAP.
View WRAP’s ‘Using digestate as a renewable fertiliser’video or learn more about on-farm AD in the latest issue of Resource.
Get our weekly digest
resource.co article ai
How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.