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A government task force in Wood County is examining the possibilities of utilizing manure as a feedstock for energy production.

The county is home to several large dairy farms, each of which can produce millions of gallons of liquid manure annually. Traditionally, that manure would be applied to fields, which has led to some rural residents raising concerns about water quality and odor. But Dale Arnold, OFBF director of energy services, said new technology may allow farmers to use manure to produce electricity and generate value-added byproducts.

Arnold said the large amount of waste produced by these farms as well as by local food processing plants could make this type of energy production feasible in Wood County.

"The technology is there, but the challenge for most farmers is producing enough mass to make it cost effective," he said. For example, a methane digester to process manure from 1,000 cows would typically require a $1 million investment by a farmer.

The situation in Wood County is unique with numerous large farms in close proximity able to combine their resources, Arnold said.

"Wood County is one of these areas where there are economies of scale that make energy generation viable," he said.

He noted that the byproduct of converting manure to electricity is a sterile fertilizer that can be sold to the landscape and gardening industries.

"With the rising price of nitrogen-based fertilizer, manure is becoming more attractive as a natural replacement," Arnold said. "But now, manure has also been recognized as a feedstock that can be utilized for energy generation projects."

Arnold said he often receives calls from smaller farms looking to take advantage of biomass to generate renewable energy.

"At a small scale, yes, you can utilize biomass, but the technology is limited and the cost will not pan out," he said.

But that does not rule smaller livestock farms out of the energy equation. Arnold said researchers are looking at processes to convert manure into feedstock that support biodiesel and other liquid fuel development.

"Smaller farmers should be looking for these technologies down the line," he said. "This will be a value-added opportunity."