Coles Invests $1.45 Million in Dairy Farm Sustainability Accelerator Fund
Source: The DairyNews
In a significant move towards promoting sustainable farming practices, Coles has unveiled the Dairy Farm Sustainability Accelerator Fund, allocating $1.45 million in grants to benefit 100 Coles dairy farms across Australia.
These grants, reaching up to $50,000 each, aim to foster innovation and fund projects that enhance animal welfare, implement solar energy solutions, and improve overall infrastructure.
Under the direct sourcing model, Coles collaborates directly with dairy farms in Victoria, Southern New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania, supplying over 490 million liters of milk annually for Coles Brand Fresh milk and certain Coles Brand cheese products.
Brad Goran, Coles General Manager Dairy, Freezer, and Convenience, expressed the company's commitment to providing dairy farmers with opportunities to invest in research and projects that promote sustainable farming and drive innovation. The funded projects are set to focus on areas such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving soil quality, water management, biodiversity, and enhancing animal welfare.
Among the grant recipients are Benjamin and Melissa Holloway, Coles dairy farmers who plan to use the funds to install an 80 kW solar roof system on their Victorian farm. This addition to their existing solar setup will generate an extra 106,000 kW annually in clean, renewable energy, significantly reducing their carbon footprint.
Another recipient, the Parkinson family in Victoria, will utilize the funds to support the construction of a 100 ML mega dam on their properties, aiding in the storage of excess wastewater and providing water throughout the summer and autumn.
Various other farmer-led projects have also received grants, including the development of shade shelters in Western Australia, construction of a methane catchment pond in Western Victoria, installation of touch screens for herd management in southwest Victoria, and upgrades to irrigation systems in Western Australia and New South Wales.
These initiatives align with Coles' commitment to sustainability and support the Coles Sustainable Dairy Development Group, which collaborates with and assists dairy farmers in their journey toward increased sustainability. To date, the group has invested over $3.78 million in on-farm initiatives, encompassing farmer education, training, and improvements in herd health and milk quality.
Under the direct sourcing model, Coles collaborates directly with dairy farms in Victoria, Southern New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania, supplying over 490 million liters of milk annually for Coles Brand Fresh milk and certain Coles Brand cheese products.
Brad Goran, Coles General Manager Dairy, Freezer, and Convenience, expressed the company's commitment to providing dairy farmers with opportunities to invest in research and projects that promote sustainable farming and drive innovation. The funded projects are set to focus on areas such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving soil quality, water management, biodiversity, and enhancing animal welfare.
Among the grant recipients are Benjamin and Melissa Holloway, Coles dairy farmers who plan to use the funds to install an 80 kW solar roof system on their Victorian farm. This addition to their existing solar setup will generate an extra 106,000 kW annually in clean, renewable energy, significantly reducing their carbon footprint.
Another recipient, the Parkinson family in Victoria, will utilize the funds to support the construction of a 100 ML mega dam on their properties, aiding in the storage of excess wastewater and providing water throughout the summer and autumn.
Various other farmer-led projects have also received grants, including the development of shade shelters in Western Australia, construction of a methane catchment pond in Western Victoria, installation of touch screens for herd management in southwest Victoria, and upgrades to irrigation systems in Western Australia and New South Wales.
These initiatives align with Coles' commitment to sustainability and support the Coles Sustainable Dairy Development Group, which collaborates with and assists dairy farmers in their journey toward increased sustainability. To date, the group has invested over $3.78 million in on-farm initiatives, encompassing farmer education, training, and improvements in herd health and milk quality.
