– It is a special day in many ways, says farmer Lars Petter Bartnes when the new agreement is signed. Now tankers will drive around from farm to farm to collect – not milk – but cow shit from the farms. He is one of 46 farmers in Steinkjer. Together with Salmar Settefisk, they signed an agreement with Malm Biogass on Friday. Cow manure and fish sludge will be turned into fuel and bio-fertiliser. Bartnes says it is an important part of the solution to cut greenhouse gas emissions that farmers come together on this. – I feel that this form of organization is quite ground-breaking, says Bartnes. He is a former leader of the Norwegian Farmers’ Association and was involved in concluding an agreement with the government on major cuts in emissions from agriculture until 2030. Egil Andersen, chairman of Malm biogas, Lars Petter Bartnes and Frode Arntsen from Salmar. Photo: Rita Kleven / news Cuts emissions Bartnes believes that it is important for other parts of Norwegian agriculture to use this type of solution to reduce emissions. The farm users have organized themselves into the company Beitstadfjord Sisu, and take responsibility for delivering manure to Malm Biogass. Waste from hatchery fish must be mixed with cow manure. This will become the fuel biomethane for heavy traffic and shipping. Biofertilizer and green CO₂ will also be produced, which can be used to preserve food. It will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30,000 tonnes of CO2e annually. This corresponds to 20 per cent of the total emissions in Steinkjer municipality. – It is obviously an important part of the solution. Industrial biogas production with agriculture is a very important part of the measures to reach the climate agreement, says Bartnes. A biogas factory will be built on this industrial site. Salmar Settefisk is also here, who will deliver sludge. Photo: Malm biogass Collaborating to cut emissions Managing director of Malm Biogass, Håkon Nokhart, says the agreement that was signed on Friday means a lot. – What is very special about this signing is the close cooperation we have between agriculture and aquaculture. I have never witnessed such close cooperation in Norwegian biogas history, he says. After two years of negotiations, the agreement between Malm Biogass AS, Beitstadfjord Sisu SA and SalMar Settefisk AS is ready. Cow manure from barns from this and other farms in Beistad will ensure major cuts in emissions in one of the country’s largest agricultural municipalities, Steinkjer. Photo: Rita Kleven Emissions from agriculture The CEO of NHO, Ole Erik Almlid, was present when the agreement with Malm Biogass was signed on Friday. – What we see today is completely innovative and unique in a national context, says Almlid. CEO of NHO, Ole Erik Almlid. Photo: Rita Kleven / news He believes that many people will come to Steinkjer to see how this works. – We see parties that come together and create value creation that is green and circular economic. We also see very active local ownership and large players joining. This is unique and very impressive. Heavy lift for the farmers The 46 farmers must deliver around 70,000 tonnes of dirt from livestock and receive roughly the same amount of organic fertilizer in return. – Biofertilizer is better than synthetic fertiliser. In short, because the emissions are significantly lower, says farmer Lars Petter Bartnes. The plan is to get started in a couple of years. Now the farmers must invest a total of approximately NOK 45 million. Bins for bio-fertilizer must be built on every farm. Roads and other infrastructure must be in place to receive tankers collecting cow manure. – A heavy lift for the industry, but we believe the investment is right. Then we want the enforcement apparatus to be part of the promise, says Bartnes. All 46 farmers must have a similar sump. It must have space for biofertilizer on each individual farm. Farmer Morten Brørs has already installed a sump, and now all that is needed is a roof over it. Photo: Rita Kleven Published 21.06.2024, at 12.00 Updated 21.06.2024, at 12.33
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46 farmers and Salmar Settefisk sign agreement with Malm Biogass – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
