Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Pork Featured Articles

Better Pork magazine is published bimonthly. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Harnessing power from pig poop

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Methane, once just the enemy of the ozone layer, is now being used as a valuable source of green energy.

A recent story on KSL.com profiled Circle Four Farms, a 75,000-sow operation near Milford, Utah. They produce 3.2 megawatts of energy from their pig manure and sell it to the local municipality. It's enough to power 3,000 homes for a year.

To create the biogas necessary for electricity, pig manure is processed by an anaerobic digester and the resulting methane is burned to produce energy that can be used onsite or sold as a commodity.

Pig poop is a reliable energy source because, as any pig farmer knows, it's never in short supply and is available anytime, not just when the sun shines or the wind blows.

The Ottawa-based Biogas Association's website lists 34 member projects within Ontario, the majority of which are "agricultural biogas, which fit(s) seamlessly into many farming operations."

Their 2013 Canadian Biogas Study says agricultural biogas has the potential to generate 550 megawatts of electricity per year, which would satisfy 2.1 per cent of Canada's natural gas demand while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25.5 million tonnes (the equivalent of taking 5,100,000
cars off the road). BP

Current Issue

August 2025

Better Pork Magazine

Farms.com Swine News

Warm Dry Weather Speeds Alberta Crop Harvest

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

According to the AFSC and Alberta Government Crop Reporting Survey, Alberta farmers combines are busy as they have harvested 42 per cent of all crops as of September 9, 2025, ahead of the five-year average of 40 per cent and the ten-year average of 32 per cent. Warm, dry weather has... Read this article online

Bunge Backs BeGrainSafe to Boost Farm Safety

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) is recognizing Bunge for its commitment to farm safety through continued support of the BeGrainSafe program. This program raises awareness about the dangers of moving grain and provides firefighters with practical rescue training. Bunge... Read this article online

Provincial meat inspectors declared essential in B.C.

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Some members of B.C.’s public service received an “essential” declaration as the labour dispute between the provincial government, and the B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) continues. Agriculture and Food Minister Lana Popham announced on Sept. 11 that provincial meat inspectors are... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top