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Community digester operations and dairy farmer perspectives
Agriculture and Human Values (2010)
  • Joseph Richard Welsh, Syracuse University
  • Megan G Swindal
  • Gilbert W Gillespie
Abstract
Rising energy costs, increasing herd sizes, and other structural changes affecting the New York dairy industry may make farmers receptive to new energy production technologies. Anaerobic digestion represents a possible benefit to farmers by reducing odor while pro-ducing methane for electricity. However, current digester designs are for herd sizes of 300 or more cows, with significant economies of scale, so smaller operators may have little interest in the technology. Moreover, without a favorable policy environment and reliable grant programs, the initial investments required for digester installation might deter operators. One solution to these issues may be community digesters, which are centrally located facilities that accept manure from multiple farms. Data from a survey of New York dairy farmers were used to assess farmers’ interest in community digesters. In general, interest was associated with power generation outcomes and reservations about organic farming practices; advocates might encourage their use among smaller conventional farm operators looking for new sources of profit and diversification.
Keywords
  • Anaerobic digestion; Sustainable Agriculture; Manure management; Economics of scope
Disciplines
Publication Date
2010
Citation Information
Joseph Richard Welsh, Megan G Swindal and Gilbert W Gillespie. "Community digester operations and dairy farmer perspectives" Agriculture and Human Values Vol. 27 (2010)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/joseph_welsh/4/