An agricultural college has installed a 22kw Biolectric farm-scale anaerobic digester – a project named “The Electric Cow”.

Askham Bryan College, which has its main campus near York, says the system, at its dairy farm, demonstrates its commitment to eco-friendly farming practices and renewable energy education.

Westfield Farm milks 170 cows and is equipped with a wide selection of machinery, alongside state-of-the-art robotic milking parlour facilities.

As part of a project to harness renewable energy from dairy waste, the Biolectric anaerobic digester has been installed. Designed to convert organic waste into renewable energy, it has been specifically tailored for farm scale operations.

This digester processes slurry produced by the college’s dairy herd, generating biogas, which is then used to produce electricity and heat, reducing the farm’s reliance on external energy sources and cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions associated with methane.

The system’s by-product, digestate, can be used as fertiliser.

A spokesperson for Askham Bryan College said: "The new anaerobic digester offers students a unique opportunity to learn about renewable energy and waste management technologies first-hand. Students can observe and study the entire process – from the collection of slurry to the production of biogas and the use of digestate as fertiliser – gaining practical knowledge that will be invaluable in their future careers.

"The Biolectric digester is more than just an investment in technology; it’s an investment in the future of farming. As the agricultural industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact, the college is leading by example, demonstrating how modern technology can be harnessed to create sustainable, energy-efficient farming operations.

"It shows how traditional farming practices can be adapted to meet the challenges of the 21st Century, ensuring that farming remains both productive and sustainable."