Feedstock
In Elgin County there is an abundance of oilseed farmers. Just under half of the total farms in the County grow oilseeds that can be used for the production of Biofuels. 483 farms in Elgin County are involved in livestock production, which is a key component of the anaerobic digestion process. Making energy from waste will add a needed income source for lagging commodity prices.
|
Elgin |
Ontario |
|
# |
% |
# |
% |
| Total Farms |
1489 |
100 |
57211 |
100 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Oilseed and grain farming |
650 |
43.7 |
13056 |
22.8 |
| Cattle ranching and farming |
197 |
13.2 |
15989 |
27.9 |
| Other animal production |
173 |
11.6 |
7573 |
13.2 |
| Other crop farming |
158 |
10.6 |
8823 |
15.4 |
| Vegetable and melon farming |
99 |
6.6 |
1769 |
3.1 |
| Greenhouse, nursery and floriculture |
52 |
3.5 |
2822 |
4.9 |
| Hog and pig farming |
49 |
3.3 |
2222 |
3.9 |
| Fruit and tree-nut farming |
47 |
3.2 |
1892 |
3.3 |
| Poultry and egg production |
41 |
2.8 |
1700 |
3 |
| Sheep and goat farming |
23 |
1.5 |
1365 |
2.4 |
Crop residues such as corn stover and wheat straw add different alternatives to farmers that can be used to produce biofuels.
The restaurant industry uses cooking oils to cook their food, with the easy access to these oils, biodiesel operations can flourish in Elgin County.
Biomass crops such as Miscanthus and Switchgrass are emerging as another potential candidate for replacing coal by 2014. There are research trials going on in Elgin County studying the agronomy and feasibility of the project.
Anaerobic digestion is another way that area farmers can use their waste to produce fuel on there farms. Using manure and animal fats the can produce heat or hydro to keep operating costs down.
Climate
Elgin County enjoys a long growing season and tremendous heat units creating a perfect climate for growing oilseed crops.
Location
Elgin County is situated in the heart of Southwestern Ontario's Corn Belt. A short drive to London and other urban centers will show that there is an abundance of feedstock for Biofuels
Labour
Elgin County is the perfect place to recruit employees as they are highly skilled and well educated for the technological advancements in the Biofuels industry. With a strong agricultural background and reliable work ethic, Elgin's future in the Biofuels industry is shinning bright.
Soil
Elgin County has an abundance of fertile soil. The soil type in Elgin County ranges from sandy loam to clay loam.
Transportation
Elgin County offers the Biofuels industry multiple ways of transporting your products in and out of the County. Rail, ports, airport and truck transportation are all at your disposal.
Field-scale Agricultural Biomass Research and Development
The Field-scale Agricultural Biomass Research and Development project is a 4-year component of a comprehensive research project to determine, on a pilot scale, whether purpose-grown agricultural biomass is an economically sustainable and environmentally preferable alternative to coal and non-renewable fuels. The purpose of establishing field-scale biomass plots is to give producers and researchers the opportunity to develop a
scale-up infrastructure.
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Location
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