What are the benefits of anaerobic digester systems?
Anaerobic digester systems generate renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Other benefits of these systems include a potential supply of manure fiber that can be used for bedding for cows, as compost, or for a variety of other uses; and high quality fertilizer. They also reduce odors from manure during storage and spreading and help to enhance a farm’s public image. During anaerobic digestion, some of the organic nitrogen in the manure is converted to ammonium, which is easier for crops to incorporate. This gives farmers more flexibility in the timing of fertilization of the fields. Finally, digester systems can provide additional farm revenue from the sale of energy, carbon credits, or other value added products (e.g. compost), and help create jobs.
