Energy could be the prime source of income for pig producers, and pork – in financial terms – might simply become a by-product, says Martin Barker, managing director of British company Midland Pig Producers (MPP).

With the world focus on renewable energy, he sees the system of biogas production – converting pig manure into methane and then electricity – as a competitive way forward. His company is developing a “Green circle pig production concept” in which the manure from 52,000 finishing pigs will be used to generate £1m ($2m) worth of electricity annually. A 3 MW biogas plant is being built, which will also process ‘kitchen’ waste that would otherwise go to landfill. In addition, the waste processing will generate income, since landfill disposal fees for this amount to around £65 ($130) per tonne.

When the waste is processed, an odourless liquid is produced, which is a valuable fertilizer. MPP is currently arranging agreements with local farmers whereby they are supplied with free seed and fertilizer and in return sell grain to MPP at prices reflecting the value of the inputs. The fertilizer should be sufficient for 2,000 hectares of arable land producing enough grain for 15,000 tonnes of pig feed.

“Pig farmers’ survival might depend on energy production and such a system could make pig farming profitable again,” said Mr Barker. He also noted that utilizing homegrown feed for pigs with home-produced fertilizer made good environmental sense.

The bio-digester would produce heat for pig buildings as well as cheap electricity for milling the grain. In addition to reducing nitrates, grain produced within the ‘Green Circle’ concept would cut food miles, further reducing the carbon footprint.

He explained that while these ingredients would not be cheap, they would be relatively cheap in relation to cereals.