About 900 farmers were assessed and given an energy efficiency plan; 80% who took part for one year say they now think or behave differently about energy use.
In May 2012, Dairy Australia received A$1 million in Federal Government funding to do 900 farm energy assessments on dairy farms. One goal was to change attitudes about energy usage.
“The Smarter Energy Use scheme provides participating dairy farmers with an assessment of energy consumption in their dairy, and identifies ways to reduce the energy being used,” says Dairy Australia natural resource management programme manager Catherine Phelps.
“The funding has delivered energy assessments to all eight dairy regions, tailored to meet local needs. The response to the program, re doing things differently, has been good.”
A further A$721,000 was granted to assess another 500 farms over the next year.
Fred Veenstra a dairy farmer from Swan Marsh Victoria said, “there was two-three degrees difference in cooling which has saved a lot on the power bill. I’ve compared my bill with my neighbour’s who has a similar operation and dairy and we have saved A$200-$250 on the power bill. So over time I am confident we will see a big difference.
“Farmers are saving a lot of money mainly by switching off equipment and lights when not required, increasing maintenance of equipment to ensure it operates more efficiently and replacing inefficient machinery with more suitable options when it breaks down,” says Phelps.
92% of farmers interviewed said their Dairy Australia energy assessment plan was “useful” and 94% of farmers said they were “fairly” to “very satisfied” with the scheme.
“There is a lot of interest in energy efficiency in the dairy industry and farmers are concerned about the cost of energy to their business, so it is not a surprise this has evolved into an effective national project.”
The project is supported also by milk processors and the Australian Dairy Industry Council.
