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Circular economy 2.0

Introduction

Eberhard Räder contrasts economic life, which is characterised by linear thinking, with thinking in cycles. Thinking in cycles is something farmers are practically born with and is part of their daily business. In organic farming in particular, the aim is to bring in as little as possible from outside. That makes sense. After all, costs that are not incurred in the first place have just as positive an effect on business figures as increasing turnover. Intelligent crop rotation and fertilisation practices are central to a circular economy: green manure and animal manure keep the soil fertile. Where arable farming dominates, there are many forage-manure cooperations to maintain natural cycles and adapt to new farm sizes and degrees of specialisation.

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Name of the farmer/ entrepreneur or other initiative
Eberhard Räder
Year of establishment of the initiative
1987 (farm transfer), 1988 (resettlement)
Location
Bastheim

Case description

Eberhard Räder has been running the farm organically according to the guidelines of the Naturland association since 2000. After taking over his parents’ farm, Räder founded the farmstead with a breeding sow barn at a relocation site.

An older, converted barn served as a pre-fattening barn for the main/finishing barn built in 2001 until 2022. Fattening takes place up to 130-140 kg. 

The organic biogas plant, which was built in 2008, is fed with field produce – primarily grass and clover grass – and the manure from both stables. In 2011, the biogas plant was expanded from 190 to 250 kW. The surplus heat from the biogas plant is utilised by a 2.5 km long local heating network and in the drying plant for threshed crops. In the meantime, the biogas plant with a CHP output of 1210 kW has been electrically overbuilt five times and a 1,000 m3 hot water storage tank has been added to the heating system in order to fulfil the character of a biogas plant – namely a heat and power plant.

In addition to malt sprouts, the pigs are fed grain and peas from the farm itself or from neighbouring organic farmers. The farm has its own grinding and mixing plant. Feeding is automated and offered ad libitum. 

The pigs are marketed via the Naturland market organisation and a direct marketer.

Mr Räder works with 3 employees and an apprentice at an altitude of 290-420 metres above sea level.

  • Average precipitation: 620 mm
  • Average number of acres: 40 (20-70)
  • Average number of grasslands: 30
  • Soil type: sandy loam to loamy clay

Over 300 hectares of agricultural land are now farmed.

Main agricultural activity and Multifunctional activities

The primary agricultural activity in is mixed farming with animal husbandry, arable land and grassland. The multifunctional activities include the cultivation of meadows and arable land under the aspects and objectives of biodiversity and soil improvement. The grass and clover from the land, together with the manure from the pigs, forms the substrate for the biogas plant. The digestate is spread on the fields during the growing season. The pigs are kept in spacious pens with straw. The waste heat from the CHP plant is used to heat public buildings and private homes in the municipality.

Critical challenges of the farm/ the region

  • Effects of climate change (extreme weather conditions, erosion, water availability)
  • Deterioration of soil health
  • Economic pressure on farmers.
  • Generational change/ dormant companies

CSA Activity

Reason for engaging in CSA/ Triggering moment for implementation

With his overall concept, Eberhard Räder tackles several difficult issues at once and solves them in an exemplary manner: the biogas plant is operated with manure and clover grass – so it does not compete with the cultivation of food. And the pig fattening system is well thought out – without slatted floors but with an outdoor run. Each pen has an outdoor run with straw, and inside is the lying and eating area. The barn has no unpleasant odours and the animals are visibly well. Most of the feed is produced on the farm, and the manure is returned to the fields as fermentation residue via the biogas plant.

The expansion of organic farming in Bavaria and the support of colleagues interested in converting to organic farming is also close to his heart. That’s why he shares his knowledge and experience with around 100 other long-standing organic farms in Bavaria as part of the BioRegio Farming Network with people interested in converting to organic farming and students at agricultural and home economics schools. Further information on the BioRegio farm network and contact details can be found here. 

Description of the innovation

The convinced organic pioneer brings forth his own innovations in production and utilises the exchange with other practitioners and also the interface with research.

He utilises the funding framework available for various measures on the land and in livestock farming, as well as in the area of energy production, as additional necessary revenue in the operational area and as support for investment measures.

  • Knowledge exchange: exchange, organisation of training courses for farmers on various CSA practices, 
  • Technology introduction: promoting the use of technologies that encourage sustainable practices, such as specialised machinery in arable farming
  • Innovation: own process for composting from fermentation substrate and wood chips.

He is a pioneer in many areas, including in the field of “bio-biogas”, the concept of which is largely based on clover grass, with a very good overall balance for soil and energy.

Implementation Process of the innovation & used methods of innovation management

On the one hand, Eberhard Räder is integrated into the regional and national network of farmers. Within the existing funding framework, there are practical needs and opportunities.

In addition to the exchange of ideas and involvement in funding and research projects, open dialogue and joint further training among professional colleagues is therefore particularly important to the farmer.

Todays Results of this implementation

Operations are largely energy-optimised due to the constant optimisation of resources in terms of the use of existing energy and the shortening and optimal timing of logistics. And we are still working on optimisation. In addition to the bio-biogas plant, all roofs have now been fitted with PV modules and the further electrification of the farm and its requirements is being considered.

The following objectives are pursued and achieved in the overall operation:

  • Overcoming climate challenges: Promoting practices that increase soil biodiversity and quality, such as improving soil health to sequester carbon and reduce erosion.
  • Economic sustainability: Increasing the profitability of farms through optimised resource management in the regional B2C business.
  • External effects: Flowering landscape, nature conservation, insect protection

SWOT of the Case today

Strengths

Overcoming the critical challenges of climate change

Promotion of climate-friendly and sustainable practices

Resource and energy efficiency

Potential for market differentiation through high quality, regionality, energy and resource efficiency

Building skills and knowledge among farmers

Weak points

(Still) dependent on public funding framework

Ensuring the economic viability and affordability of various soil and biodiversity-friendly technologies

Possibilities

Growing consumer interest in regional and sustainable products: Food and energy

Education/ Training of the decision makers/ leading persons

The extensive experience of the farm owner and his willingness to accept innovative solutions played a decisive role in the successful implementation. 

In addition to the practical exchange with pioneers not only in agriculture and the organic sector, constant optimisation and personal reflection play a major role.

Agriculture is lifelong learning and adaptation.

Outlook/ Aims and Goals

  • Eberhard Räder stands for a coherent and consistent understanding of agriculture, which is not only focussed on the production of food (food & energy), but also on a good life and togetherness and consideration for the environment.
  • He will continue to work on constant optimisation and will always be a pioneer and take unconventional paths

Lessons Learned/ Recommendations

Eberhard Räder is still highly motivated and has a fundamentally organic attitude to life. Even if conventional farming may seem easier in the short term, he believes that organic farming is the most sustainable concept.

However, this does not rule out further learning, but rather involves lifelong learning.

The soil must be cultivated in such a way that it improves and cultivated and orientated in such a way that the desired preferred crop can develop faster than the wild herbs. 

Result, Success & Risk Factors

Actual today’s situation

Keeping the soil green for as long as possible and supporting soil life is an essential part of the operating concept. Soil dormancy plays a major role in the clover-grass year. Clover grass comes after rye. This is followed by the actual harvest year, with at least three cuts, until the summer oats come next spring.?????? 

Eberhard Räder is an entrepreneur and therefore no underachiever. He pursues a comprehensive operational approach with regard to the breadth and depth of his processes and is constantly working on optimising energy and resources and efficiency.

In doing so, he is very happy to use less resources for the same or better results.

Dependence of any kind of ongoing support/ subsidy?

Public funds and subsidies make up an important part of the operating result. The funds always flow as a result of operational management and new investment measures.

Dependence of specific regional/ personal aspects?

The focus of the project suggests that such an approach must always be tailored to the specific climatic and agricultural challenges of the respective region. 

However, the basic principles remain the same.

Applicability in other regions/ other situations

In principle, it can also be used in other regions.

Resource-efficient, environmentally friendly management in cycles is possible everywhere. The basic principles are the same. It requires adaptation to regional and local conditions in production, processing and marketing.

The CSA practices promoted by the EU and, in this case, the Free State of Bavaria via KULAP and VNP can also be applied in other regions facing similar challenges, such as the effects of climate change, water scarcity and soil degradation. However, the specific technologies and approaches must be adapted to local conditions, farming systems and the availability of resources – not least the respective funding framework.

Conclusion

The project is an exemplary step on the way to excellent regional food quality produced within the framework of climate-friendly and sustainable agriculture.

By promoting and being open to knowledge exchange, the project also enables other farmers to introduce environmental and economic challenges, improve resource efficiency and contribute to the long-term viability of agriculture embedded in the respective region.

Project N. 2022-1-DE02-KA220-VET-000089615

Contact email: info@innocsa.eu

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