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Photography by Richard Hodgson
Hot water on demand and free heating for the farmhouse and dairy office are just a few of the benefits of installing a biomass boiler for the Yates family’s Logan herd.
H
aving always tried to invest in efficiency to keep driving the herd forward Brian and Michael Yates have made a number of significant investments in facilities in recent years and were keen to explore the green energy options available to them. “We were keen to invest in green energy, but with no 3-phase electricity at the farm it would have added an extra £75,000 just for the connection. This meant our options were limited and biomass offered benefits to the business as well as a return on investment,” says Brian.
The 150kWh biomass boiler was installed by VG Energy
in May 2014 on a five year pay back. Projected to make £20,000 a year over 20 years, payment for the first 197,000kWh is 8.8p/kWH’ which is when the return is most efficient.
“Not only does the biomass have £12,000 clear profit potential each year, but it offers a constant hot water supply to the dairy and heating for the farm house.”
Electricity costs at East Logan have reduced from not heating water, as well as saving on heating oil. Heat blowers were also installed in the parlour to help prevent frozen pipes during cold winter snaps and heaters in the tank house and office
also provide a better working environment for staff. The boiler house is a great drying room, even for calf jackets.
Having hot water on demand for washing the parlour twice a day has helped drop the bactoscan from the early 20s to 17.
The biomass burns wood chip which was a cheaper option, but the Yates’ also have an opportunity to reduce costs and generate more money by burning fallen wood on the farm.
Previous runners up in the Gold Cup and Farmers Weekly Dairy Farmer of the Year, as well as finalists in the Scottish Dairy Farmer of the Year, the
Brian and Michael Yates have always tried to invest in efficiency to keep driving the farm business forward.
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