Kate Hoare is New Holland’s candidate for the award. She runs the Trenance Farm in Southeast Cornwall, a 134-acre farm where she introduced a new model for sustainable farming, installing a biomethane capturing slurry lagoon
With this innovative system the farm is able to reduce its environmental impact, producing gas that can be reutilized for their work, fueling their New Holland T6 Methane Power tractor
The award recognises women who have made a special contribution to innovation in agriculture
This is the first edition for the international Women in Ag Awards, presented by ‘Women in Ag’ magazine and the DLG and New Holland submitted a total of four candidatures
01 November2023, Modena: Kate Hoare, New Holland’s candidate to the Women in Ag Award, will receive the first prize in the “Agriculture” category at the first edition of the international Women in Ag Awards.
The role of women in agriculture, in the agribusiness and in the agricultural sciences is changing worldwide and an increasing number of women are shaping the future of agriculture as managers on their own farms or in companies, research or education. The Women in Ag Awards pay tribute to this commitment and tell the stories behind these inspiring women. It is presented by ‘Women in Ag’ magazine and the DLG, with an international jury which comprises women from agriculture, agribusiness and related areas that will reward winners in four categories: Agriculture, Agribusiness, Education, Technology, and research.
Kate Hoare, who will receive the first prize in the “Agriculture” category is a full-time dairy farmer at Trenance Farm in Southeast Cornwall, together with her husband Kevin. The couple took on Trenance Farm from Cornwall County Council Farms and started their dairy journey in 2018. Since taking over the farm, the couple introduced a new model for sustainable farming, installing a biomethane capturing slurry lagoon in partnership with Cornwall Council and Cornwall-based company Bennamann Ltd.
This solution can reduce the impact of their activity, producing gas that can be reutilized for their work, eventually fueling the tractor they use on the farm, a New Holland T6 Methane Power tractor, and generator. This means that the whole farm can be completely off-grid. This solution is extremely innovative and is considered a pilot experience for many other farms. Hoare has been analyzing and collecting data along the way to help prove the efficiency and productivity of the pilot.
Trenance Farm is rapidly becoming an example of the Energy Independent Farm model promoted by New Holland and Bennamann. One of the biggest challenges for farmers is to maximize productivity while reducing their carbon footprint and finding ways of becoming energy independent. Utilizing waste and biomass to generate fuel not only for heating and electricity, but also fueling vehicles, was once a dream but it is now the future. Livestock and dairy farmers can produce Bio-methane from manure with the effect of a negative carbon footprint.
With the help of a biodigester, farmers have the opportunity to turn their agricultural waste into fuel and a possible additional revenue stream by selling it to the methane power grid.
The awards’ ceremony will take place on November 15 at 16:15 at the DLG Booth (Hall 24, A06).
