Fonterra Trials EcoPond for Reducing Methane Emissions
Source: dairynews.today
Fonterra is set to pilot the EcoPond system to reduce methane emissions on farms.
Fonterra is launching a two-year pilot program involving up to 200 farmers in Waikato and Southland to test the EcoPond system, developed by Agnition and Lincoln University. This initiative is part of Fonterra's strategy to achieve a 30% reduction in on-farm emissions intensity by 2030. EcoPond employs polyferric sulphate and sulphuric acid to cut down methane emissions from effluent ponds by at least 90%.
Unlike its predecessor, the new system uses portable dosing via truck, minimizing infrastructure costs. Fonterra's sustainability director, Charlotte Rutherford, notes that this innovation is crucial for the cooperative's environmental goals. The pilot will examine the scalability and effectiveness of the service, with funding from both the co-op and new customer incentives. Agnition CEO Jasper Van Halder emphasized the solution's potential benefits for a sustainable agricultural future. Initial trials have shown methane reductions of 97% on the Net Zero Pilot Dairy farm. Farmers can register for the pilot starting in early May, with the selection of participants by the end of June.
Unlike its predecessor, the new system uses portable dosing via truck, minimizing infrastructure costs. Fonterra's sustainability director, Charlotte Rutherford, notes that this innovation is crucial for the cooperative's environmental goals. The pilot will examine the scalability and effectiveness of the service, with funding from both the co-op and new customer incentives. Agnition CEO Jasper Van Halder emphasized the solution's potential benefits for a sustainable agricultural future. Initial trials have shown methane reductions of 97% on the Net Zero Pilot Dairy farm. Farmers can register for the pilot starting in early May, with the selection of participants by the end of June.
