The Future of Fueling your Farm Machinery

In this episode we talk with Richard Anthony of R&L Anthony Farms near Bridgend in South Wales, George Mills area sales manager of New Holland and Amy Watkins, Sustainability Manager from Agrii.

We are exploring using methane to fuel the farm tractor, and if this is an opportunity to shape farming's future.

In turn how can that help achieve net zero and is this a dream or reality?

What Does Farm Sustainability Mean to You?

Richard Anthony:
Farm sustainability means looking at everything we do—how we grow crops, manage hedgerows, and plan for the future. One big area is how we power our tractors. We’re constantly aiming to be more sustainable across all areas of the farm.

How Long Have You Been Farming Sustainably?

Richard Anthony:
People often ask how long we’ve been practising regenerative farming, and I tell them probably before it was even called that. The more I’ve learned about soil biology, cover cropping, and building organic levels, the more I realise we were on this path for a long time. We’re always using technology to improve and looking for the next thing to help us.

What is Key to Making These Changes in Farming?

Richard Anthony:
The key is understanding—gaining knowledge about how soils are changing and improving. We’re moving less soil, using fewer insecticides, and incorporating nature into the process. It’s a complete cycle, and we’re always working to fill in the gaps in our knowledge.

What Progress Has Been Achieved on Richard's Farm?

Amy Watkins:
We started working with Richard and his team in 2020 to understand how their practices are helping them reach net zero. One of their main goals is improving soil health and reducing emissions. In our 2020 carbon audit, we found they were sequestering more carbon than they were emitting, achieving a net of -20,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

By reducing artificial inputs like nitrogen and replacing them with organic sources, we’ve seen further improvements. When we measured again in 2022, they were sequestering even more carbon. Over three years, they’ve maintained net zero and continue to make a positive environmental impact.

Does a Sustainable Farm Also Mean a Profitable Farm?

Richard Anthony:
It has to. Profitability is essential. We have to maintain or improve yields to remain sustainable. That’s key—without profitability, we can’t sustain these efforts.

What’s Next for Reducing Your Farm's Carbon Footprint?

Richard Anthony:
Methane-powered tractors are the obvious next step. It’s early days, but I see real potential in using methane as a fuel source for farm machinery.

What Would Be Your Source of Methane Fuel?

Richard Anthony:
We work closely with a local food waste plant that processes digestate. They plan to clean the gas to a standard suitable for road use. If that happens, it could be an ideal fuel source for our tractors.

Where Are We With Methane Engines for Tractors?

George Mills:
We’ve developed a production-spec FPT 6.7 engine that can run on compressed natural gas (CNG), including biomethane. What’s exciting is that biomethane can be part of a closed-loop system—producing carbon-neutral or even carbon-negative fuel.

What Are the Key Drivers for Methane-Fuelled Engines?

George Mills:
There’s a big push from retailers and consumers. People want carbon-neutral products, and producers are starting to feel the pressure. Financially, methane can reduce fuel costs compared to diesel, especially if farms produce their own biomethane as a byproduct, making it more cost-effective.

How Can Farmers Collect Methane on Their Farms?

George Mills:
We’ve partnered with a company that captures methane from farm slurry pits and digestate. This gas can be scrubbed, cleaned, compressed, and used to power tractors without losing power or torque.

How Accessible is Methane for Farmers?

Richard Anthony:
It should be fairly easy for dairy farms, especially those with lagoons. Many farms in Wales are looking into covering lagoons to store cow slurry, and that’s where methane can be harvested.

How Does Using Methane Fuel Help Achieve Net Zero?

Amy Watkins:
Even with reduced cultivations, farms will always need some fuel. We’ve been measuring fuel use across Richard’s farm and found that fuels contribute significantly to emissions. Methane-powered tractors could reduce emissions by 16%, which would be a significant step toward further reducing overall farm emissions.

What’s Included in the "Fuels" Category in the Carbon Audit?

Amy Watkins:
In the audit, fuels include a wide range of sources like red diesel, woodchip for biomass, gas, and electricity. All these contribute to the farm's carbon emissions, but fuels are the largest emitter.

What is the Reduction in Carbon Emissions from Methane-Powered Tractors?

George Mills:
Methane-powered tractors reduce tailpipe carbon emissions by 75%, methane hydrocarbons by 90%, particulate matter by 98%, and nitrogen oxides by 62%. Overall, CO2 emissions drop by 10 to 15%.

What Are the Barriers to Methane Adoption?

George Mills:
Infrastructure is the biggest barrier right now. The challenge is getting access to the fuel. However, with dairy farms under pressure to cover lagoons by 2027 due to new legislation, this could really accelerate methane adoption.

What’s Your Timescale for Adopting Methane on Your Farm?

Richard Anthony:
We’re looking at it now because we need to move in that direction. We’ve already cut fuel use by using woodchip and solar for grain drying, and we’re working on more solar installations to reduce our electricity use. Methane seems like the next logical step.

Can Methane Provide More Control Over Input Costs?

Richard Anthony:
It has to. And we need to remember that carbon offsetting will have value too. It’s something we’re just starting to explore, but it’s another important consideration.

What’s Your Message to Farmers Thinking About Methane?

Richard Anthony:
Keep an open mind. When you start down this road, you need to look at all the options available. We’re in exciting times with farming, and things are changing fast.

What Should Farmers Be Thinking About for the Future?

George Mills:
Farmers should always be looking to the future. Some UK farms are already heading towards energy independence with methane and electricity. The dream is to have an off-grid farm, with the grid as a backup rather than the main power source.

What’s Your Key Message for Farmers?

Amy Watkins:
Keep an open mind, as Richard said. Embrace change where possible, but also benchmark your progress. You need to understand what difference your changes are making, whether it’s in achieving net zero or improving productivity. Collecting data is crucial to understanding the impact of these changes.