ADBA Attends On-Farm AD Summit

ADBA was delighted to participate in the On-Farm Anaerobic Digestion (AD) and Methane Capture Summit held on 9th April 2025 at Askham Bryan College, York. This event brought together policymakers, industry experts, farmers, and financial institutions to explore the potential of farm-scale AD systems in contributing to the UK’s net-zero ambitions. 

The summit provided a valuable platform to demonstrate and discuss the potential of AD and methane capture at farm-level, with a strong focus on identifying opportunities, barriers and actions needed to encourage growth in our sector. The day was heavily interactive, encouraging input from all participants to foster collaboration and secure future support for on-farm AD. 

Our Policy Lead, Gareth Mottram, presented the key policy asks and actions needed to support the on-farm AD sector in the closing session of the event. This presentation highlighted the importance of creating a supportive policy environment that recognises the multiple benefits that on-farm AD delivers—from improved farm resilience and circular nutrient management through renewable energy generation to carbon emissions reduction. 

The summit’s agenda covered critical aspects of on-farm AD, including its role in achieving net-zero, technology showcases, and funding opportunities. Particularly valuable was the site tour of Askham Bryan College’s farm-scale AD system, which offered participants a practical demonstration of the technology in action in the form of the on-site 22Kw Biolectric plant. 

ADBA has long advocated for greater recognition of AD’s potential in agricultural settings. On-farm AD not only offers farmers cost savings through generation of renewable energy to power the site but also provides an effective solution for managing farm wastes, reducing methane emissions, and producing nutrient-rich biofertilisers.  

We are grateful to NNFCC for organising this event, and to Askham Bryan College and Biolectric for hosting it. For more information, contact our Policy Team at policysupport@adbioresources.org.