Twenty four Australian dairy farms have received more than $2 million in funding from Woolworths’ Dairy Innovation Fund to support innovation, efficiency and season resilience.
The inaugural round of the supermarket giant’s Dairy Innovation Fund has awarded grants up to $100,000 to farmers for future focused projects. These include solar-powered desalination, milk sensor technology, enhanced bushfire protection, herd monitoring technology and dairy automation.
Woolworths said that with this season delivering excellent conditions for dairies, the projects to be funded must show a concerted focus on investments that will shore up farms to withstand future seasonal challenges.
Woolworths Director of Buying, Paul Harker, said they were delighted to have the opportunity to support the drive and ambition of future focused Australian dairy farmers through the Dairy Innovation Fund.
“The applications show Australian dairy farmers have their eyes firmly fixed on the sustainable future of the industry and are keen to invest in new technology and infrastructure to build thriving farms for generations to come,” Harker said.
Close to 500 applications were received from farmers, spanning dairy regions, supply relationships and a wide array of projects.
“The first round of the fund comes in a promising dairy season, with favourable operating conditions,” Harker continued.
“This makes it a particularly good time to invest because it will help set these dairies up to prosper through the seasonal challenges that have always been a part of Australian farming,” he said.
Queensland farmer Peter Garratt has received $100,000 from the fund to introduce an automatic grain batching system, which will support a balanced diet for his herd by ensuring an accurate mix of the right grains which can be tailored as needed.
He will also use his grant to reduce feed loss with improved fodder storage, build an effluent recycling system and boost cow health and comfort with additions to the herd’s summertime shelter.
Garratt’s dairy produces 2.6 million litres of milk annually on the Darling Downs property that has belonged to his family for 95 years. He and his young family live on the farm which he runs in partnership with his parents.
“We are really excited to have the opportunity to make some of our dreams a reality,” Garratt said.
“The installation of automated grain batching will ensure our cows receive a correctly balanced diet and save us valuable time. We will also be providing motion detecting comfort brushes and a ventilation system to keep our herd healthy and happy all year round.”
Victorian farmer Jason Riley has received $80,000 to build a new milking shed which will integrate automation, in-line milk sensors and solar power, replacing his existing 50-year old milking shed.
“Thanks to the Woolworths Dairy Innovation Fund we have been able to start work on our new milking shed which will improve cow comfort, and overall herd health,” Riley said.
The fund was designed in consultation with peak industry groups Australian Dairy Farmers, Dairy Australia, National Farmers’ Federation, Premium Milk Ltd and the NSW Farmers’ Association Dairy Committee.
Australian Dairy Farmers President, Terry Richardson said increasing the profitability and sustainability of dairy farmers is at the heart of their vision for Australian dairy.
“We’re pleased to see Woolworths making a contribution to where it all starts – on the farm,” Richardson said.
The Dairy Innovation Fund will invest a total of $5 million in around 60 businesses over the next three years, with yearly grant application rounds open to all dairy farmers in the Woolworths supply chain, including those supplying vendor brands.
The second round of the Dairy Innovation Fund will open later this year and Woolworths looks forward to supporting another series of projects across Australian dairy farms. To read more about the fund visit woolworths.com.au/dairyinnovationfund.
Source: Woolworths