PIX 2018

Poultry Waste –Power, Products and

Profitability Euan Beamont

Introduction

What We Do

Energy Farmers Australia Pty Ltd

Bioenergy Projects Technology Development

Biochar Research, Production and

Sales

What is Biochar?

• Provide habitat for soil microbes

• Increases microbial activity• Increases water holding

capacity • Holds nutrients• Increases soil carbon • On farm carbon capture

and storage

Feedstocks

PH C N P K Ca

Poultry Litter 8.5 38.8 3.7 2.53 2.80 4.5

Poultry Manure 8.3 29.1 3.2 2.72 2.58 14.0

Lupin Straw 8.2 52.9 2.9 0.76 3.83 3.96

Wheat Straw 9.5 30.3 0.6 0.45 0.85 0.99Testing carried out by UWA - School of Earth and Environment

Biochar Analysis

Source: International Biochar Initiative

A Market on the Move

Channel Volume Price Price Signals Online sales Low High $5-7/kgSoil and home garden suppliers

Low to Medium Medium to High $3-5/kg

Organic market High Low $250-$1000/tHorticulture/Agriculture

High Low $100-$500/t

Cattle Farmers High Low $100-$500/t

Biochar Price Signals

Cucumber Trials 2016/17

Does biochar make fertiliser more efficient?

Can biochar hold nutrients in the soil?

Subsoiling Tomatoes 2017

Results

1050

1100

1150

1200

1250

1300

1350

1400

Manure Compost HardwoodBiochar

Poultry LitterBiochar

Control

Yield Kg

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

pH Organic Carbon(% x 10)

Phosphorus(mg/kg)

Sulfur (mg/kg) Nitrate (mg/kg)

Soil Analysis Comparison

Poultry LitterBiochar

Control

Soil Analysis

• Feed Supplement (1-2%)– ↑ feed conversion ratio– ↑ carcass weight– ↓ pathogens

• Addition to litter (5-10%)– Adsorbs a range of gases

including, ammonia, methane, and nitrous oxide

– Less odours

• Dead bird management

Biochar & Poultry

Heat and Power

• 1 tonne/hr. feed = 1MW heat energy

• Conversion efficiency– 5 – 7% (small scale ORC) – 16-20% medium scale ORC)– 25-40% (Large scale steam

turbine)• Direct use of heat – Offset

– 75kg/hr. diesel– 73kg/hr. propane

Poultry Farm Biochar Process

• Smart Farming Partnerships– $750,000 over 4 years– Poultry litter biochar in

horticulture• Biochar based products

– Composted PLB– PLB foliar spray

• Continue to develop technology

• Actively seeking projects

Going Forward

Power• You can produce on farm

energyProducts• Poultry litter biochar is a

valuable commodity in food production

Profitability• Value add your poultry waste• Improve bird health/weight• Earn carbon credits

Key points

EUAN BEAMONTeuan@energyfarmers.com.au

0427 611 424 energyfarmers.com.au

Thank you!

Questions?