Activated Biochar

Exploring Manure‑Charged Biochar for Soils and Nutrient Management

The SoilRes3 Lab at UBC, in collaboration with BC Dairy, is leading a project exploring activated (or “charged”) biochar produced from dairy manure.

The goal is to better understand whether manure‑charged biochar can serve as a practical soil amendment and manure management tool in dairy and mixed farming systems in British Columbia.

This project builds on several years of research testing how biochar behaves in agricultural soils and how its performance changes when combined with nutrient‑rich materials such as manure. The current phase of work focuses on translating this research into farm‑relevant settings, using realistic application rate

1: WHY does this research matter for BC farms?

In BC regions with a high concentration of livestock agriculture, managing manure nutrients remains a real challenge. Limited land base, narrow application windows, and the risk of nutrient losses can reduce the value of manure while increasing costs and environmental risk. Many farms are also working with soils that are moisture-stressed or have declining structure, which can limit nutrient use efficiency and crop performance.

This project is grounded in those realities. It explores whether combining dairy manure and biochar could help retain nutrients, improve soil function, and better use materials already present within local farming and forestry systems.

2: WHAT is this research exploring?

Biochar does not perform the same way in all soils or systems, and how it is managed matters. Applying biochar without first “charging” it can temporarily tie up nutrients already in the soil. Charging biochar with manure before application may turn it into a slow‑release nutrient carrier, but this depends on how it is done and at what rate.

This project is testing how manure‑charged biochar behaves under realistic farm conditions in BC, focusing on feasible application rates, nutrient behaviour, and soil and crop response. The goal is to understand where this approach may add value, and where it may not.

For an overview of what biochar is, how it is produced, and general use considerations, see the Biochar Factsheet.

‘Charging’ bioochar with dairy manure

3: WHAT does previous research tell us?

Previous field and greenhouse research at UBC has shown promising results when biochar is first charged with dairy manure. These studies suggest manure‑charged biochar can help hold nutrients in the soil, support plant uptake, and reduce reliance on additional fertilizer in some systems.

Biochar is also very stable in soil, meaning it stays in place for a long time rather than breaking down quickly. However, results vary depending on soil type, application rate, and the method of biochar production and management. This variability highlights the need for more testing under real farm conditions.

4: Current research goals

The current phase of research focuses on testing manure‑charged biochar under conditions that reflect how farms actually operate in BC. This includes using application rates that are more realistic and looking at how biochar fits within existing manure management and soil practices. The project is also considering practical questions around feasibility, fit, and potential costs and benefits at a farm and regional scale.

Research and demonstration work is underway at several sites:

Controlled experiments at UBC are comparing standard biochar, manure‑charged biochar, and similar combinations to better understand nutrient behaviour, plant growth, and soil response.
Field trials on the Sunshine Coast are testing these approaches under farm‑like conditions, with a focus on soil nutrients and crop biomass.
In Abbotsford, a demonstration project is exploring whether adding biochar during manure processing can help reduce odour and retain nutrients.