Contexte

In Ireland, biomass which is not utilised for livestock feeding occupies a large area of agricultural land. This biomass consists primarily of rushes (Juncus spp.), as well as Bracken (Pteridium), Furze (Ulex spp.), Hazel, (Corylus) and Heather (Calluna). These biomass streams require no husbandry to produce; however, considerable expenditure is spent annually on their control (i.e. cutting and disposal), either by chemical or mechanical means to ensure compliance with EU grant schemes and for conservation purposes under GLAS. This leads to the widespread use of chemical herbicides and the production of an unwanted biomass stream.

 

There are a number of direct economic and managerial reasons for farmers to control undesirable vegetation; sustaining the landscape, biodiversity and grazing interest whilst meeting the EU conditional criteria for grazing in the subsequent season, and achieving the entitlement payment. These payments are essential to sustain the rural culture, economy and farming activity on areas of less productive land.

 

In this context the challenges this project addresses are:

• To control weed species that undermine pasture management and produce problem biomass

• To collect problem biomass, often in difficult wetlands and uplands, and dispose of it safely.

• To create useful biochar products from a diverse range of problem biomass species

• To demonstrate the immediate value of the biochar to farmers, in their agri-business and in their local environment.

• To provide a convincing argument for the wider benefits of biochar production from problem biomass streams for Irish agriculture at the national scale and in the long term, for climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation.

 

Additional information

The expected results and practical recommendations from this project are:

• Value added to currently unutilised and nuisance biomass for the first time by producing biochar, a carbon resource for the farm.
• Development of an innovative, farm-scale mobile pyrolysis system designed and built in Ireland
• The promotion of the use of biochar in soils to improve soil structure, alkalinity, CEC, natural pH adjustment capability.
• The demonstration of a methodology for Irish agriculture to develop a carbon-negative approach to the management of undesirable biomass by sequestering carbon in soils, thus reducing national GHG emissions

• QC data on the characterisation of biochar to ensure appropriate end use.

• Generation of economic opportunities from biochar producer to end user.
• Creation of additional income streams at farm level, encouraging landowners to manage previously neglected land.

• Reduction of extensive use of herbicides through cutting and harvesting of biomass resulting in better water quality

• Farmer collaboration to achieve improved management of on-farm biomass

• Development of new collaborative partnership between the Biochar Coop, farmers, engineers, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions in achieving shared learning and innovation.

• Sharing best practice at local, national and international level.

• Cooperation with other EU areas in the management of on-farm biomass, the production of biochar and the sequestration of atmospheric carbon.

• The undertaking of Life Cycle Analysis to track the carbon cost and benefits.

          The undertaking of an economic appraisal of the process