Derwydd Farm, located in the countryside of North Wales, is a lively, eco-friendly farm operated by Llŷr Jones and his family. Farming sheep, cows and free-range hens, Llŷr has one principal aim: To have an utterly carbon-neutral farm. He hopes to lead by example by running a carbon-neutral farm, increase awareness of the carbon emissions connected with farming, and encourage and motivate others to become more sustainable.
Farming produces roughly 10% of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions; but farms also produce enough renewable energy for about ten million homes each year over the UK. Llŷr is producing renewable energy reservoirs through hydro and solar power. But, remaining carbon neutral can be difficult for farmers, especially seeing as they require heavy-duty and powerful machines to get the work done. At Derwydd Farm, Llŷr utilises the Polaris Ranger EV as a more eco-friendly option to a typical UTV for sale.
Last month, Llŷr bought a Polaris Ranger EV for sale after previously owning a Kawasaki Mule, to fit with the job they are trying to do of converting to fully carbon neutral:
“The Polaris is a complete no-brainer, with it being electric, we can apply our electricity to charge it, meaning it does not cost us anything to operate and better yet it is much more suitable for the environment with no emissions being created.”
Llyr Jones, Carbon Neutral Farmer
The Polaris is worked all the time about the farm by Llŷr and his shepherdess Vicky.
“It gets used about 50/50 among myself and Vicky, Vicky will use it to guide the sheep in, but I utilise it to feed the calves, running up to the chicken shed, surprisingly anything that needs doing - it’s super fast. It’s excellent because the dogs can hop in the back and as we charge it at night, it lasts the whole day!”
Llyr Jones, Carbon Neutral Farmer
Presently Llŷr has decreased his carbon emissions significantly with the installation of the Ranger EV, he is studying reducing the number of methane emissions generated from his cattle.
“Although methane only remains for 10 years, whereas carbon persists for thousands, we’re in talks with a organisation now that offers feed with citric extractor in which reduces the bacteria in the stomach and as a result decreases the quantity of methane from the cattle by 30%.”
Llyr Jones, Carbon Neutral Farmer
Another method in which Derwydd Farm has created a huge difference is by their free-range egg-laying hens. To guarantee that his 16,000 hens are laying to their full potential, Llŷr has a heated hen system powered by harnessing water that the soil has heated to heat the henhouse to 18℃. The eggs that are obtained are then forwarded to supermarkets.
“By having the hens warm all year round, they can put more vitality into laying eggs rather than using their strength to keep themselves warm. By keeping them warm it means that they eat three grams less, which results in a conservation of £15,000 per year on feed and a quarter of a million more eggs are laid.”
Llyr Jones, Carbon Neutral Farmer
They also understand that ploughing crops discharges carbon emissions into the atmosphere when the top layer of soil is disrupted, so whilst Derwydd Farm grows rapeseed to make and sell rapeseed oil, they utilise the byproduct and turn it into pellets that can be utilised as feed for the livestock – meaning minimum wastage and embedding carbon back into the soil.
The future looks bright for the busy eco-friendly farm with their efforts making a huge difference and also setting an example for other UK farmers by showing that they can run a self-sufficient farm by providing their own electricity.
“It’s somewhat amazing that we have almost gone full-circle with the extent that we are self-sufficient; it’s like how farmers used to act before, a hundred years ago or so. It’s just funny to consider that it has gone full circle but with a modern twist of formulating our own electricity through renewable energy sources.”
Llyr Jones, Carbon Neutral Farmer
The Polaris Ranger EV matches the off-road abilities of the world’s bestselling UTV for sale, with the delicate operation of an electric vehicle, presenting a clean ride with no exhaust fumes, as well as retaining disturbance to a minimum thanks to its whisper-quiet engine sound. Replenishing from a standard domestic plug and driven by a single 48-volt, high-efficiency AC-induction motor, the Ranger EV needs little keeping due to its direct drive system with low-noise transmission and gives a usable and practical driving range in even the most troublesome work environments. What’s more, the EV owns an impressive 454kg payload capacity in extension to a 680kg towing capacity and 25.4cm of ground clearance, earning it the smoothest, most able battery-electric side-by-side in its category.
Beckside Machinery are official Polaris UK Dealers.
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