WINNIPEG, MB, Dec 20, 2006 -- Resource News International

 

The Manitoba Provincial Government will provide C$300,000 to support the construction and feasibility assessment of anaerobic digesters at three Manitoba hog operations, Manitoba's Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Rosann Wowchuk and Science, Technology, Energy and Mines Minister Jim Rondeau announced Wednesday.

Anaerobic digestion is a process that breaks down manure components producing biogas which can be used as a heating source or for the generation of electricity.

"Evaluating how well this process works in the Manitoba climate will provide valuable insight to hog producers while potentially creating a new source of bio-energy," said Wowchuk. "The digester process could also help with nutrient management in the waste-water stream plus odour control and pathogen reduction."

The biogas produced in the anaerobic process creates renewable energy that can directly benefit the producer," said Rondeau. "Environmentally it also helps to reduce the risk of surface and groundwater contamination and reduces greenhouse gas emissions."

A $100,000 funding package will be offered over two fiscal years to each of the three hog operations with the first payment available in the 2006-07 fiscal year.

An anaerobic digester system at Cook Feeders in Teulon is in place and undergoing the finishing stages. Two others, at Topeaka Farms in Grunthal and Riverbend Colony near Carberry, are presently in the design phase.

The provincial contribution will help fund the testing of each system to determine the overall environmental, technical and economic feasibility of different anaerobic digestion processes for various types of hog operations in Manitoba.

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