Background
FEPRO Farms is a 320-hectare dairy farm run by brothers Paul and Fritz Klaesi. The business is located near Cobden, northwest of Ottawa.
The Klaesi brothers, originally from Switzerland, try to produce as much as possible on their own, including energy to run their farm. Motivated by the desire to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, they installed a biodigester to generate electricity from manure. Biodigesters are environmentally and economically beneficial, divert waste and provide green energy.
Taking action
In 2002, the Klaesi brothers installed a 499 kW biodigester, which converts the manure from their farm into methane gas, used for producing electricity.
The biodigester produces enough electricity to power the farm.
Achieving results
- Reduced contamination of surface water, groundwater and other resources.
- Conversion of waste into high quality organic fertilizer, so there is less reliance on conventional fertilizers and pesticides.
- Waste diversion for hard-to-manage wastes.
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
- Odour control.
- Green energy: the biodigester runs all-year round, producing enough energy to power 300 average homes.
The Klaesi brothers are leaders in demonstrating the viability of biodigesters and offer tours and consultations to other farmers interested in the technology. The brothers have also collaborated with provincial and university partners on a variety of education and training events.
