Biochar forum brings food for thought for Manjimup producers

Local farmers and producers were left with a lot learnt on Friday when renewable farm resource and bio-char forum came to Manjimup. Farmers and producers were able to learn about biochar production and agricultural applications at the Manjimup Wellness and Respite Centre on Friday, with a day consisting of a panel of speakers and several presentations surrounding green waste and biomass. International Biochar Institute co-founder and metallurgical engineer Professor Stephen Joseph was the keynote speaker of the forum, and discussed biochar and renewable energy. The day consisted of different programs, including presentations on mobile pyrolysis application, forestry and bushfire mitigation, on-farm feedstock processing, greenwaste research, and biochar used in tree crops and with cattle and other livestock. The speakers included Donnybrook farmers Bernie and Wendy Kurz, Asset Land Management managing director Darren King, local beef cattle and avocado producer Doug Pow, off-grid energy consultant Don Anderson and Energy Farmers Australia co-founder Euan Beamont. A biochar production workshop also took place on a Manjimup farm, before the forum, on October 5, using low-cost kilns to demonstrate four different techniques to produce a biochar that becomes a fertiliser.