The Reduced Methane Emission in Dairy (REMEDy) innovation trajectory
In the REMEDY stable, emissions of ammonia, methane and particulate matter are drastically reduced with a positive effect on the environment.
In the Netherlands, modern dairy barns are completely open to generate drafts in the summer to cool the cows. Cows experience heat stress from a temperature of 18°C. As a result of heat stress, productivity drops by 20%. Prolonged heat stress of more than one week (as in 2020) leads to a decline in productivity that lasts until the next lactation.
In countries with a warm and dry climate, cross-ventilated barns are used, which are cooled by evaporating water and blowing the cool air that is created through the stables with fans. At high humidity, such as in many tropical areas and in the Gulf States in the Middle East, this system does not work and the cows are permanently put under a cold shower during the humid summer months.
Barns with air conditioning and recirculation of air are being used for quit some time in the pig and chicken sector. Air conditioning and air circulation are also used in greenhouse horticulture.
The REMEDY barn with forced air conditioning and recirculation of cooled air, used in dairy farming, is new but based on experiences in other sectors. The REMEDy concept was developed by WMFC in close collaboration with Wageningen University & Research and Vreba.
The core of the REMEDY system is a closed house in which air is recirculated and conditioned according to temperature, relative humidity and gas composition. Because faeces and urine are immediately separated via a newly designed floor and immediately disposed of, much less ammonia is produced. The residual ammonia that does form is burned with the exhaust air together with methane and particulate matter in the manure refinery and no longer ends up in the outside air.
The barn offers an integrated solution for the most important challenges of dairy farming with regard to the reduction of greenhouse gases, ammonia, odor and particulate matter, with regard to the energy transition and with regard to animal welfare and social acceptance.
Concrete objectives are:
- Increasing the productivity of cows by reducing heat stress.
- Using methane emissions as a circular energy source.
- Reducing methane and ammonia emissions.
- Climate control ensures cow comfort, health and productivity.
The REMEDy technology is patented. The patent is owned by YorInnovation BV, the inventor of this technology: De Bruin, Y. A. T. F. H (2018). Climate controlled stable. YOR Innovation b.v. Netherlands. 2022333 (P1600078NL00).
The innovation is communicated an implemented by Remedy Stable bv