Anaerobic Digestion at Emerling Farm, Inc.

Abstract

Emerling Farm, Inc. in Perry, NY is a second and third generation family farm operated by John and Betty Emerling and Mike and Elizabeth Emerling. The farm was started in 1960 with 25 cows. Presently the farm houses 1,100 total dairy cows in two east/west oriented 6-row freestall barns, with plans to grow the business to 1,500 cows via internal growth Cows are milked three times a day in a double 20 parallel parlor The farm raises forage crops on 2,400 acres of land The farm selected a plug-flow digester over a mixed digester due to the reduced capital and maintenance costs The farm received funding from the New York State Energy and Development Authority (NYSERDA) as well as from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)