AD trade show to discuss future of UK farming

The UK AD & Biogas and World Biogas Expo will be taking place at the NEC in Birmingham on 5-6 July. A central theme of the trade show will be the contribution that anaerobic digestion (AD) can make to supporting UK farmers post-CAP.

The show, now in its seventh year, is being jointly organised by the UK Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association (ADBA) and the World Biogas Association (WBA). It will feature over 100 speakers, 250 exhibitors, and 4,000 delegates. The 5 July will also see the sixth annual AD & Biogas Industry Awards, which will be hosted by Charlotte Smith, presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today and a regular contributor to BBC1’s Countryfile.

AD is a naturally occurring process that recycles organic material into renewable heat and power, green transport fuel, and biofertiliser, helping farmers boost their incomes and diversify their business. As EU CAP payments begin to be phased out over the coming years, integrating AD into a farming business to treat farm waste, food waste, or purpose-grown crops can provide an additional revenue stream and save farmers money on energy generation, fertiliser production, and waste management.

The show will examine a range of topics of relevance to UK farmers, including: opportunities for AD to support farmers post-Brexit; advances in the use of on-farm biomethane; using high-quality digestate to reduce reliance on fossil-fuel-based fertilisers; growing crops for AD; novel sustainable feedstocks; and pre-treatment techniques.

Speakers at the event will include: Tom Beeley, renewable energy adviser at the CLA; Dr Jonathan Scurlock, chief adviser renewable energy and climate change at the National Farmers’ Union (NFU); Adrian Rochefort, account manager at ForFarmers; David Rhodes, technical manager at DLF Seed; and Simon Draper, agronomist at the Maize Growers’ Association.

ADBA chief executive Charlotte Morton says, “With the nature and extent of post-Brexit support for farmers unclear, AD offers a great option for farmers looking to diversify their income and reduce their energy, vehicle, and fertiliser costs while reducing their emissions and restoring their soils.”