SBRI COMPETITION - Reducing pollution resulting from agricultural ammonia emissions in cattle sector.

This is a phase 2 competition aimed at demonstration therefore applicants are required to have an existing working prototype of their technology which is in operation on preferably more than 1 farm or agricultural business in Wales. Applicants will also need to demonstrate that their technology takes into account potential pollution swapping and cost effectiveness for farmers.

Your solution must either prevent emissions of ammonia, extract it from the air or reduce deposition onto sensitive habitats. This can include demonstrating, piloting, testing and validation of new, emerging or improved products, processes or services in relevant environments. The primary objective is to validate ammonia emissions reductions in products, processes or services that are near-to-market.

Your phase 2 project must:

-Assemble a robust evidence pack that demonstrates ammonia emissions reductions. For example, proposed technology will demonstrate reduction of ammonia emissions by 20% for the duration of the project/experiment at the farm level. Evidence packs are of a standard suitable for consideration by the UK Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas inventories requirements.

-Applications are expected to include sufficient capability and capacity to assemble the testing and validation evidence. Ideally, project applications will include scientific/academic subcontractors who have the required experience and facilities to undertake necessary site and laboratory testing and evaluation.

-Demonstrate that the technology takes into account potential pollution swapping. Pollution swapping should be investigated, described and mitigated. Please include measurable effects on Greenhouse Gas such as carbon and methane emissions, as well as phosphorous.

-Evaluate cost effectiveness for farmers for the implementation of the proposed technology. The costs to farmers and government should be proportionate to the benefit. In other words, if it reduces emissions only marginally it shouldn’t be very expensive. The solution should show significant benefits for farmers. This competition is seeking innovations that would be financially self-sustaining, i.e. the direct on-farm benefit to the farmer is greater than the costs. It will be important for the applicants to set out the expected on-farm benefits as part of their commercialisation road-map.

-List side effects and their mitigation. Account for potential disadvantages of the proposed technology implementation in Wales. For example, floating slurry storage covers tend to be blown to the side due to strong winds in some areas. Some flowing covers are impractical to rearrange back as they cover deep slurry lagoons. This dramatically reduces measure’s effectiveness.

-Comply with current Welsh and UK legislation, particularly with The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021

-Work closely with potential users and customers to collect and record their feedback Additional information: More information found in the attached briefs