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The UK dairy industry’s first independent guide to using environmentally friendly renewable energy sources has been published by Morrisons in collaboration with AFMP dairy farmers and experts from Newcastle University.
Scientists from Newcastle University believe that renewable energy forms, such as wind turbines and solar panels, could help dairy farmers cut electricity bills by as much as 30 per cent, a yearly saving of over £3,000 on a typical dairy farm.
Research focus areas, which have the potential to offer tangible benefits, were discussed initially with members of Arla Foods Milk Partnership (AFMP) and renewable energy was a subject area identified as a priority by them.
The project steering group, chaired by Arla Foods Milk Partnership producer representative Robert Morris-Eyton includes the head of agriculture and the agriculture manager at Morrisons, plus six other AFMP members and key Arla managers.
Morrisons head of agriculture David Evans said: “Dairy farmers told us they needed a practical, no-nonsense guide to cut through the myriad of information and advice that surrounds the whole area of renewable energy.
“We believe this independent report, written specifically with the UK dairy sector in mind, has the potential to help dairy farmers make big savings on electricity costs from a fairly modest investment in the right renewable energy forms for their business.
“Making the move towards renewable energy is also good news for the environment and can help the agricultural sector meet the UK Government’s requirements for an 80 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.”
AFMP’s Robert Morris-Eyton, said: “Like many farmers I know that renewable energy has the potential to help me cut electricity costs, which is currently a substantial cost to my business, but what I needed was something that was independently written, could cut through the sales pitch and find the right solutions for my dairy business.
“This report has answered a lot of the questions I had about energy efficiency and renewable technology.”
Dr Paul Bilsborrow from the School of Agriculture Food and Rural Development at Newcastle University who is the lead author of the report believes that the findings offer real benefit for dairy farmers both in reducing their input costs and also in helping reduce the carbon footprint of the UK dairy industry.
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