RENEWABLE energy has made a huge difference to the Wilandra Farms business in Clydebank, which is now moving towards being carbon neutral.
Wilco Droppert and Sandra Jefford were faced with energy bills greater than $120,000 a year for their irrigation and dairy operations before they had an energy audit done in 2018 to see what changes could be made.
The audit report showed that there were many ways to improve energy efficiency. Steps included installing larger diameter irrigation water pipes, replacing inefficient pumps and changing nozzle sizes on pivots.
The couple also wanted to generate their own power, and engaged Steve Soutar from Alternate Energy Innovations (AEI) in Morwell to design a renewable energy action plan.
With funding from Agriculture Victoria, this plan has been implemented, and the farm has 200 kilowatts of solar panels that provide power for most of their irrigation.
Other important features of the system are the dam, automation on all pivots and at bores and the dam pumps, and the energy management system that co-ordinates irrigation with available energy.
While the cost of the upgrades has been significant, with more than $1 million invested, Ms Jefford expects to recoup those costs within seven years.
The renewable energy system alone has made “a big difference” in terms of profitability, according to Ms Jefford, with irrigation energy bills lowered from about $80,000 to just $1200 last year.
Not only are the business’ costs dramatically decreased, but their greenhouse gas emissions are also reduced, labour input for irrigation has dropped by about 15 hours a week, and the farmers sleep better at night because most irrigation happens during the day.
Changes made in the dairy to date include replacing oil ring vacuum pumps with a lobe pump, which requires about 55 per cent less power, and improved water flows through the plate cooler. This gets milk to the vat about two or three degrees cooler than previously.
The realisation that greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced, and carbon stored in the soil and vegetation, have led the business to look at how they can store more carbon than the farm emits, if animals’ methane emissions are reduced by dietary modification.
This complex topic will be covered in a field day planned for Thursday, February 2 at The Stables in Sale. Speakers will include Lachlan Monsbourgh from Rabobank, Charlie Prell for Farmers For Climate Action, Steve Soutar from AEI and Megan Hill from Dairy Australia.
During the afternoon, participants will have the chance to look at the renewable energy equipment and talk to Wilco and Sandra about how the system works.
For bookings, go to www.ivvy.com.au/event/wilandra2023
For other enquiries, call Deanne on 0419 878 055 or John on 0412 368 739.
