Projects in North Yorkshire to assess the impact of farmers using composts to nourish the soil have found that between £30 and £90 per acre can be saved when farmers replace inorganic or synthetic fertiliser with compost.

CO2Sense Yorkshire, a business support programme funded by Yorkshire Forward and the European Regional Development Fund, has been working with agronomists Andrew Fisher and Peter Lambert and composters W Dale & Sons, of Boroughbridge, to demonstrate to farmers in the area the benefits of using compost.

The agronomists have been working with a number of farmers in the North Yorkshire area on projects using composts from W Dale and Sons to assess the impact of using the material over fertilisers.

The projects have found that farmers can save up to £90 per acre when using compost

The results of the work were revealed at an event aimed at highlighting the benefits of farmers using compost in Northallerton this month. A number of farmers from the local area heard from Mr Fisher about the savings that could be made by using compost and were told how compost could be beneficial for the soil.

Mr Lambert, who has worked with farmers in Yorkshire helping them to use compost for the past six years, reported how many of his clients had enjoyed success thanks to using locally-produced composts.

Nick Dale, of W Dale and sons, also explained to the farmers how quality compost is produced using green waste.

CO2Sense said in a statement: "Fisher's research demonstrates that farmers can not only save money but also improve the long-term health and productivity of their land by using compost to replace inorganic fertiliser."

Commenting on the meeting with North Yorkshire farmers, Alison Kahumbura, project manager for CO2Sense Yorkshire said: "This research shows the commercial benefits of investing in compost as a fertiliser for agricultural land. These slow-release soil enhancers offer long term cost savings.

Growth 

Ms Kahambura explained that the composting sector in Yorkshire had grown rapidly over the past 12 months and was producing enough output to provide a ready supply of high quality compost to farmers. She said that CO2Sense was working with the farming community, compost producers and suppliers to increase both supply and demand for these products to help farmers reduce business operating costs and help the region to reduce its CO2 emissions.

The organisation is now working on two case studies to assist with the supply and demand for composts and results will be revealed over the course of 2010. CO2Sense Yorkshire, which helps businesses in Yorkshire and Humber to use resources, energy, water and waste more efficiently, and to introduce greener design and environmental management systems, is also set to host more events to teach farmers about using organic fertilsers during 2010.