„ The use of sustainably produced energy carrier leads on a large scale and in the long term to a lower CO2 pollution compared to fossil energy sources. The carbon dioxide emitted during the combustion is captured again by the renewable producer plants and converted into new energy. “

Jürgen Pfänder, farmer

Sustainability is extremely emphasized on Jürgen Pfänder’s farm,- without a doubt in the form of all three pillars of sustainability:

On the one hand, there is the social aspect, since the company has been training two apprentices each year since 1997 in different academic years or apprentices in the dual study program in the practical year or interns from the Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences in the practical semester. During this time, the farmers-to-be are familiarized with food manufacturing and marketing, the production of raw materials and energy and the preservation and care of the cultural landscape on a practical level.

The economic sector is neither neglected in this agricultural establishment: by smart farming like the section control technology in the areas of sowing and plant protection or GPS-controlled fertilization, Jürgen Pfänder is able to cultivate his farmland in a targeted and thus extremely efficient manner. The reduction of fertilizers and pesticides not only benefits the environment, but also eases the financial burden on the farm. Thus, up to 5 % of the fertilizers and pesticides can be saved.

Last but not least, the ecologic factor the ecological factor, which includes not only the reduction in the use of fertilizers and pesticides just mentioned, but goes much further:

Since 2004, Pfänder’s farm has been using the liquid manure from its own pig breeding as well as manure from other farms and renewable raw materials (silage corn, sugar beets, green rye and grass silage) to produce energy in the company's biogas plant in the form of heat and electricity. The heat generated during the production of electricity is used as local heat for heating homes and businesses, which in turn considerably reduces the use of fossil fuels.

A remote satellite CHP plant also offers an advantage, as the waste heat produced can be fed into the existing local heating network in Gailshofen. In addition, the 4 photovoltaic plants exceed the power requirements of the company by far and so the surplus is fed into the public grid.

Jürgen Pfänder however, is particularly proud of his two tractors: 

In 2005, he had his Fendt Vario 815 converted for the operation with cold-pressed rapeseed oil in a 1-tank system. This was prompted on the one hand by the finite fossil resources and on the other hand by the awareness of the possible savings in CO₂ emissions.

He is also enthusiastic about the regionally added value and the idea of recycling, i.e. growing his own fuel himself, having it produced in the region and then using it as an alternative to the common fossil diesel. This also prompted him to add another rapeseed oil tractor, a Fendt Vario 820 Greentec, but with a 2-tank system, to his fleet in 2010, as this tractor does not have to accept any restrictions in terms of performance and suitability for daily use. Also with regard to the performance and fuel consumption, Jürgen Pfänder has had very positive experiences and is throughout satisfied with these investments.

Detailed information can be found at: www.juergen-pfaender.de.