Integrating wood-based biomass production technologies with environmental remediation of soils and surface water

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Hillsdale Fur Farm is a large mink production ranch located in Nova Scotia, Canada. The farm generates approximately 120,000 pelts annually representing annual revenue of over $9 million. A significant challenge in managing intensive commercial livestock operations relates to the generation of nutrient-rich,organic by-products such as manures, used bedding, and wasted feed. The nutrient-rich by-products pose an environmental concern if they reach water sources, a large disposal cost to the production system, and a lost opportunity if not used. Hillsdale Fur Farm is currently exploring avenues to manage high nutrient concentration surface runoff water which is collected in holding ponds, as well as examining approaches to develop additional value opportunities from use of the water as a fertigant. Short term rotation coppice plantation systems using willow (Salix) for production of biomass as an alternative fuel, or for value addition through extractives or use as hypoallergenic animal bedding, is gaining in popularity. The project will examine different nutrient rates of irrigation water to fertigate a willow plantation using ponded wastewater from a commercial mink ranching operation. A complementary field study and greenhouse study will be conducted at Dalhousie University to model nutrient uptake responses of two willow hybrids under intensive fertigation in a marginal and agricultural soil under greenhouse conditions.