BRF, one of the largest food companies in the world, encourages yet another initiative aimed at preserving the environment in its production chain. The company supports the use and reuse of swine waste in the facilities of its outgrowers in order to ensure a more sustainable swine production chain with its producers.
“The process of raising pigs generates waste that needs to be properly treated and disposed of so as not to contaminate the soil. At BRF, we promote the management of waste in an efficient, safe and productive way, in order to reuse the input to generate energy and later apply it as an organic fertilizer in traditional crops, such as corn, soybeans and cotton, reforestation areas and in pastures. for cattle and better forage production”, explains Vilto Meurer, director of Agriculture at BRF.
Among the benefits of this practice, in addition to generating energy at a low cost, there is a reduction in expenses with the purchase of fertilizers and a reduction in the need for agricultural area for the application of manure.
At its Lucas do Rio Verde unit (MT), for example, BRF has an integrated producer that uses this practice. Located in Tapurah, a city recognized as the swine capital of the state of Mato Grosso, the Seis Amigos farm, a producer of piglets, hay and beef cattle, is a reference in the sustainable use of swine waste from its production through the use of biogas. .
The swine manure is treated in biodigesters that generate biogas, used in the generation of electric energy, moving the stationary motors in the distribution of the liquid manure that is destined for the fertigation of the pasture for the feeding of the animals of the property and the production of hay.
“From the energy generated by this system, we were able to add value to several other activities here on the farm, such as livestock, in an effective and self-sustainable production cycle. We have a strong commitment to the environment and sustainability”, explains Rafael Ottonelli, manager of the Swine area at the Seis Amigos farm.
According to Ottonelli, swine manure is capable of generating more than 5 million kW/year through the use of biogas from the 18 biodigesters installed on the farm. The property currently has a herd of more than 13,000 sows, with an estimated effective production of 370,000 piglets.
Fazenda Seis Amigos also produces electricity through the photovoltaic system. The property has a plant with more than 1,700 solar panels that produce more than 1,200,000 kWh/year.
“With production in parallel with the photovoltaic system, added to the generation through the generator engines, the farm is self-sustainable in terms of energy, using clean and renewable production technologies”, points out Evandro Martimiano, owner partner and current manager of the farm.
All BRF integrated producers have a license for this type of operation, which is validated by Organs inspection bodies SEMA (Secretariat of the State for the Environment) and the Environmental Agriculture Departments (SAMA) of the municipalities of the municipalities where the integrated producers are located.