Online tool compares efficiency of NZ dairy sheds

EECA Business has launched the Dairy Farm Energy Efficiency tool - an online tool which compares a dairy farm’s electricity use to other dairy farms in New Zealand and to best practice.

New Zealand’s 12,000 dairy farms use $251 million worth of electricity - over $20,000 per farm, per year. Energy is the sixth-largest cost to dairy farmers, contributing around 15c to the cost of every kilogram of milk solids produced.

But dairy sheds also vary a lot in how efficiently they use their electricity. According to Kirk Archibald, EECA projects and relationship manager, “Some dairy farms are using three times as much electricity as others for the same milk-solids production.

“By answering a few simple questions, you can map your energy use against 150 dairy farms across New Zealand. You can find out how you compare against others and the improvements that would make a difference in your milking shed.”

Energy data collected from 15 farms shows that energy-efficiency upgrades have reduced electricity use by 21% overall, meaning projects will have paid for themselves in under three years on average. Several dairy sheds have reduced electricity use by around a fifth after installing heat recovery equipment; other energy-efficiency changes include variable speed drives and vat insulation. Overall, dairy farmers could save $42 million a year through cost-effective technologies and simple actions.

Farms are being encouraged to take part in the EECA Business dairy shed heat recovery program, which currently provides advice and funding to 37 farms wishing to reduce electricity use. The program is providing funding of up to 40% of the cost of energy-efficiency changes until 30 June 2014. Details can be found at www.eecabusiness.govt.nz/dairy-farms.

The Dairy Farm Energy Efficiency tool can be found at www.eecabusiness.govt.nz/tools/dairy-tool/. The tool will also feature at DairyNZ’s Milksmart events around New Zealand between 18 February and 20 March.