AgSTAR

The Benefits of Biogas Recovery

Anaerobic digesters on livestock farms and the biogas they produce have benefits over traditional manure storage systems. They can:

  • Result in cleaner air and water by destroying pathogens, controlling odor, stabilizing organics, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing opportunities for enhanced nutrient management
  • Provide a source for distributed energy generation in rural areas
  • Produce renewable energy to generate electricity and be used as a fuel for boilers or furnaces, offsetting fossil fuel use
  • Yield pipeline quality gas or compressed natural gas that can be sold as a renewable fuel
  • Provide a potential revenue source from the sale of energy, carbon credits or coproducts
  • Improve relationships with neighbors due to reduced odor levels from manure storage and spreading
  • Generate products for use on the farm, such as animal bedding and high quality fertilizer