At the meeting, the Danish Nature Agency reported on its experience with biomass harvesting in lowland areas over a period of 10 years. There were many good discussions on the prospects of biomass harvesting in relation to some of the major challenges in low-lying areas and how biomass harvesting can play a significant role in relation to natural value, biodiversity, the aquatic environment, and the climate.
Business advisor Jacob Frey Hansen had drawn up a business case for biomass harvesting on uncultivated lowland areas based on the operational experiences from the Danish Nature Agency. For the typical scenario without biomass harvesting, there will be a profit of DKK 1,150 per ha, while the profit with biomass harvesting would be DKK 2,731 ha. The operating accounts could be further improved significantly if meadow grass changes its ISCC class from fodder to waste. Finally, the GUDP project Høstek investigates the possibility of expanding the value chain by removing plant protein, bio glue and the fiber fraction, so that only the residual product is used for biogas production. There is also a very large shortage of biomass for biogas plants.
One of the challenges with biomass harvesting is that it should preferably be carried out on large contiguous areas. The day ended with Henning Johansen from Læsø Landowners’ association talking about experiences, articles of association and good advice for organizing a supplier association.
The day will conclude with a discussion of the role that farm advisory services can play in enabling biomass harvesting to become a major activity in lowland areas, as envisaged by Høsttek and LIFE IP Natureman.
You can see the presentations from the theme day in the documentary library on the page Harvesting biomass.