Biogas - a profitable business Farming Simulator 15 Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
Earning money is the main goal in the game. You can do that in a lot of ways, but using the chaff for making biogas is one of the best and generates the highest profit. However, starting this business (in the optimal version) requires a large initial capital, so this option is available only for players whose farms are already well developed.
Producing biogas consists in collecting the chaff, transporting it to a special silo in the biogas plant and selling it (you will need a tractor with a front loader for that). It is also good to think about buying a new field, located close to the plant, to save some time on the transport. To mow grass, you only need a simple mower and a loading wagon, but making chaff requires more expensive equipment.
In the minimal version, which also allows you to earn quite a lot (but requires more time), you will need.
- FC 3525 mower (13 500$)
- Euroboss 330T loading wagon (27 000$)
- T4.75 tractor with a front loader or universal bucket (70 300$).
Total cost: 110 800$
With the mower and the loading wagon, go onto nearby pastures and road verges. Your aim is to gather at least 60 000l of grass (you will need to transport it three times when using the cheapest trailer). Unload the grass in any silo in the biogas plant. After transporting enough grass, press it and drive over it so that the option of covering the silo appears. Select the option and wait for the fermentation to end.
Now, you will need a front loader, to sell the silage. Load it onto a bucket and drive to the two containers, when you can unload it (it is a bit difficult when using the cheapest version). A universal bucket can transport 1800l, for which you will obtain about 2900$. After transporting the whole amount (60 000l), you will earn 96 000$ (the profit is 1600$ per ton). As you can see, it is a very profitable business.
The optimal version of producing biogas is much more viable, but it requires larger initial capital. You will need:
- a field near the biogas plant (for example no. 41 - 48 600$, Bjornholm);
- a special harvester (Big X 110) with a header, which allows you to gather chaff - cost: 460 000$;
- a tipper for the harvester (for example TMK 266 BULL for 35 000$)
- a sowing machine that allows you to sow corn (it is the most efficient way) - Tempo F8 for 61 000$
- a loader with a proper shovel (89 800$).
Total cost: 694 000$ (you can reduce it by sowing corn on a different field, using a front loader, a cheaper tipper, or even getting chaff fro other kinds of grain; however, try to achieve this configuration, as this is the most efficient one).
The way of producing biogas is almost the same. First, sow the corn on the field you've bought and spray it. When the plant grows, send the harvester to harvest the chaff, which will be loaded onto the trailer (be careful not to overload it - the harvester will continue to gather chaff, even when the trailer's capacity is reached). From the whole field, you will obtain about 146t of chaff. Store it in any silo and when the harvest is done, press the chaff and start the fermentation.
When the fermentation process is completed, load the silage onto a shovel. Next, unload the product to the containers in the biogas plant. For one trip, you will earn 7200$. Transporting the whole silo will require you to do about 35 trips. This gives you about 235 000$ in total. In the meantime, remember about cultivating and sowing again. This way, you can earn a lot of money relatively fast.