Media.
ARTICLE - FOOD AND FIBRE GIPPSLAND
Huge Reduction in Irrigation Energy Costs
Following the implementation of an Agriculture Victoria supported farm energy assessment, Wilandra Farms has reduced its average irrigation energy costs from $0.24c/kWh down to a jaw-dropping -$0.03c/kWh from the equivalent period of the prior year. Sandra Jefford and Wilco Droppert, dairy farmers in Gippsland’s Wellington Shire, have invested in energy efficiency, solar photovoltaic panels and operational process upgrades to reduce the use of conventional power for irrigation………
ARTICLE - RABOBANK
Innovation saving precious time, and money
There are few things worth more than a thriving business, but for dairy farmer Darcy McAlpine, his time is just as valuable as his bottom line. And the Victorian is fast clawing back precious hours thanks to state-of-the-art ‘smart boxes’ recently installed across the family-run operation – the physical labour savings proving just as significant as the financial savings.
“Money is good, but time is our most precious resource in dairy, so we’re always looking at ways to ‘buy’ ourselves a few extra hours,” Darcy said.
Working together with brother Clancy and father Paul, the family recently connected 4 AEI ‘Smart Boxes’ ………
INTERVIEW - WIN NEWS GIPPSLAND
Local business could save you money on irrigation
An energy prices continue to rise farmers are looking at every option to keep costs down. Thought up by a group of Morwell innovators, this ‘SmartBox’ could be one solution. “We’ve had good reaction from our early customer base and we’ve been above to reduce irrigation energy costs by up to 80% in some cases”. It switches on irrigation systems when power is at its cheapest or when renewable energy systems are……….
ARTICLE - DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA
Smart power options for an uncertain future
Renewable energy has made such a huge difference to the Wilandra Farms business, it 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 near Sale, before they had an energy audit done in 2018 to see what changes could be made.
The audit report showed 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. Wilco and Sandra also wanted to generate their own power and engaged Steve Soutar from AEI………
