At Wharton Hall near Kirkby Stephen, a small-scale anaerobic digester has proven to be a valuable asset for the Chippendale family, who have been farming in the area for over half a century. Mark Chippendale and his son Adam stumbled upon this technology while exploring digester options online.
The Chippendales, who manage 500 cattle, including 190 dairy cows milked by four Lely robots, and 1,100 breeding ewes, initially believed that a viable AD plant would require a significant shift from grass to maize cultivation. However, they were pleasantly surprised to find a cost-effective, small-scale system from Biolectric, installed by Solcap Energy, that aligned with their existing operations.
Adam shares his enthusiasm for the digester: “It’s almost fully automated and produces our own green energy. We’re able to export surplus electricity back to the grid through a Feed-In Tariff agreement and use the energy for heating our homes and even drying wood. This new revenue stream has enhanced our business resilience against the volatile milk and beef markets.”
The system also benefits the farm by enhancing the quality of the digestate, reducing methane emissions and odors significantly.
In collaboration with The Farmer Network, Wharton Hall is hosting an on-farm open day on Thursday, 23rd November from 10am to 2pm. This event will offer farmers a firsthand look at the digester and its integration into the farm’s infrastructure. Adam Day, Managing Director of the Farmer Network, emphasized the importance of practical demonstrations: “It’s crucial for our members to see new technologies in action, helping them understand the real-world application rather than just theoretical benefits.”
Farmers interested in attending must register in advance, as arrangements include transportation to and from the farm via minibuses from Kirkby Stephen Auction Mart, located at CA17 4QL. This open day represents an opportunity for the agricultural community to explore emerging technologies that can significantly impact farm efficiency and sustainability.
