In the next decades, the agricultural sector is facing the challenge to feed a growing world population in a responsible manner, by using the same amount of land and water. Our goal is to make dairy farming even more sustainable, to reduce emissions and to create a circular dairy farm.
There are multiple subsidy schemes available to help support dairy farms to be more sustainable, to reduce emissions and to create a circular farm. Please click on the below link to understand which subsidy schemes are made available for barn systems like the Lely Sphere:
Read more about subsidy schemes made available for Lely SphereWe are supporting farmers with solutions for the manure problem. For example, we actively conduct research into the reuse of minerals and nutrients, and the development of new solutions for reducing emissions and closing the nitrogen cycle. In addition, we are looking at ways to keep the composition of manure and emissions during transport and storage more stable and we are a discussion partner for the government to find alternatives for the current legislation.
On 23 and 24 November 2023, the fourth EU Clean Air Forum will take place in Rotterdam (Netherlands). The fourth Clean Air Forum will bring together clean air stakeholders and interested parties from across the European Union including competent authorities of the Member States at all relevant levels, the Commission, industry, civil society, and the scientific community for several days of intense dialogue on main clean air issues. Lely will be present on 23 November in the morning at the CINEA/LIFE stand.
Dairy farmers (PAS detectors only) in the province of Gelderland can apply for a subsidy to invest in measures (among others Lely Sphere) to achieve nitrogen reduction. A subsidy can be requested for the purchase and preparation for use of one or more proven techniques, installations, equipment, machines or equipment that lead to a reduction of nitrogen emissions in the housing system. With a total budget of €2 million for this part, a subsidy (65%-80%) can be requested until the budget is exhausted. The subsidy can be applied for via the website of the province of Gelderland.
The final emission factor that puts the Lely Sphere on the RAV list has been set at 3 kilos of ammonia per animal location per year. This means an average of 77 percent reduction in ammonia emissions in the stable compared to a stable with a traditional slatted floor where this is 13 kilos of ammonia per animal place per year. For the recognition, four dairy barns were measured for their emissions six times during a year. The stables varied in size, ration and farm management. The final emission factor is the average of the 24 measurements.
In June 2021 the LIFE project ended, after a total duration of 4 years. Please find via the link below our (simplified) technical report. This report describes all performed project activities and achieved results of the project. In case of any questions, please contact mbruggeman@lely.com .
From October 1, the Lely Sphere barn system has been officially recognised and added to the Dutch RAV-list (The Netherlands Livestock Farming Ammonia Regulation) – a requirement to obtain a permit in accordance with the Low-Emission Housing Decree. The provisional emission factor for the Lely Sphere is 3.6kg NH3 per animal space per year, reducing emissions by more than 70% compared to barns with traditional slatted floors, which emit 13kg NH3 per animal space per year.
Our LIFE project is included in Volume 10 (July 2021) of The Project Repository journal which is published by the European Dissemination Media Agency (EDMA). The full article is available via the following link:
On September 23, 2021 a stakeholder event was held on the demonstration farm in Oudenbosch (The Netherlands). A total of 36 persons attended the event from organizations like Province Noord-Brabant, ZLTO, RVO, Universities, FME, VNO NCW, LNV and other market players in the field of barn low emissions systems. The event was coordinated by LIB, which is a cooperation between the province Noord-Brabant and ZLTO (local agriculture organization). The event started with a real life demonstration of the Lely Sphere, than several presentations were given about the current developments in low emissions barn (technical solutions and regulations) and the event ended with a brainstorm/discussion session how to realize the current and future ambitions together.
Maassluis, 6 October 2020 - Lely presents a new barn system for separating mineral flows and converting emissions into value; Lely Sphere. The system separates manure and urine, converts nitrogen emissions, and creates 3 valuable types of fertiliser. Dairy farmers can use these separated fertilisers for precision fertilisation. This closes mineral loops better, reduces nitrogen emissions, and creates a healthier climate in the barn.
The Dutch Enterprise Agency (‘De Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland’, RVO) is part of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate. The agency promotes sustainable, agricultural, innovative and international business. In a recently published brochure from the RVO, Lely's solutions for reducing environmental emissions were mentioned as an inspiring example for other entrepreneurs. Click on the button below to read the brochure and find Lely's solution on page 21 (in Dutch) .
On June 25 2019, the LIFE project team from the European Commission (EASME) visited Lely. At the Lely Campus we gave them an update on the emission solutions we are working on, followed by a visit to a dairy farm to have a closer look at the solution. During a meeting on the Lely Campus, the European project team gained insight into the results and financial reports for the LIFE project so far and we went through the actions for the remaining duration of the project period.
On 13 December 2018 we had a visit from Neemo, which is the monitoring team of LIFE projects. Two representatives of Neemo visited the Lely Campus to get informed about the project progress. We discussed the status of the project objectives, the progress of the work packages and the structure of the administrative/financial process (to meet the LIFE requirements). In the afternoon we visited one of the demonstration plants (farm) in the Netherlands to see the RFX concept in an operational environment. On 25 June 2019 a next visit with Neemo (including a representative from EASME) has been scheduled.
We have been able to inform all international senior managers of Lely about the LIFE project in July 2018. The goal was to introduce the LIFE programme to everyone as well as to explain the innovation we are working on. The meeting took place at one of the demonstration farms, which meant that attendees could actually could get a first glimpse of the innovation in action. A good result of this meeting was that we are able to gain feedback from around the world for this innovation.
We have had the opportunity to inform the Dutch Minister of Agriculture about the LIFE programme. She visited the Lely Campus on the 5th of November 2018, where our Board presented the innovations we are working on and how these could support the Minister's vision. Our CEO gave the minister detailed information about the progress being made under the LIFE subsidy grant. A result of this visit is that we are in touch with the Ministry to be a partner in shaping future legislation.
This project is co funded by the European Union via the LIFE financial instrument under the LIFE16 ENV/NL/000363 funding agreement (July 2017 to June 2021). Total costs of project: €3,349,465 EU contribution: €1,846,434
