<
https://reneweconomy.com.au/cattle-among-the-trackers-and-all-electric-cherries-the-shift-to-solar-and-fossil-fuel-free-farming/>
"The Forest Lodge cherry orchard bills itself as “likely the first zero fossil
fuel, 100% electric commercial farm in the world”.
The farm in Central Otago, New Zealand, utilises a huge array of electric
equipment, including frost-fighting fans, irrigation pumps, vehicles, all
powered by a 23kW solar installation and 105kWh battery, as well as New
Zealand’s renewable-heavy grid.
“Rather than being someone telling farmers what to do, we are showing them that
we did it and what the numbers are,” says farmer Mike Casey, who founded the
farm with his wife Rebecca, and who will be one of the keynote speaks at this
year’s National Renewables in Agriculture Conference in Queensland.
The conference in Toowoomba will also hear from local beef producer Caitlin
McConnel, about her experience grazing cattle under solar panels, and why it is
critical that agriculture and renewables work together.
“Since 2010 my family have grazed beef cattle under solar trackers designed
specifically to ensure continued livestock production whilst using the least
amount of agricultural land,” says McConnel."
Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
