The Ellinbank research farm is on track to become the world’s first carbon-neutral dairy farm.

Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas officially opened the 231-hectare, 500-cow “Ellinbank SmartFarm” on Wednesday, saying it was a perfect example of innovative next-generation farming.

For local dairy farmers, Ellinbank SmartFarm will open access to demonstrations of innovative technology aimed at boosting farm profitability in the region.

Research director Joe Jacobs said the farm was an ideal testbed to showcase how technologies work, how they work together and how they best sit within a farmer’s current system.

The focus of current research includes optimising homegrown feed to improve farm operating profit, better health and welfare of cows by reducing the negative impacts of extreme heat events, increased production performance of cows while reducing costs, and sustainably increasing annual milk production through a better understanding of herd nutrition and pasture management. 

Prof Jacobs said the Ellinbank SmartFarm aimed to be carbon-neutral by 2026.  It is working to reduce methane emissions, improve fertiliser and manure management, and generate electricity through several options including solar, wind, hydro and bio-digestion. 

Ms Thomas toured the facilities before praising staff and their work.

“I want to say thank you and know here at Ellinbank, just outside of Warragul, we have world-leading scientists working on globally significant research,” she said.

“An important part of the work being done here is making it accessible to industry, so that knowledge can immediately be put to use on-farm – this will mean instant effects on efficiency, productivity and costs.

“I’m really excited by the vision here at Ellinbank.  The dairy industry in Victoria has a very bright future.”

Ellinbank SmartFarm was funded through the state government’s $5 million “Smarter, Safer Farms” initiative. 

The farm will soon be home to the Agriculture Energy Demonstration and Education program.  

Technologies that will be trialled and demonstrated at the farm include roof-mounted solar panels and battery storage, wind turbines, pumped hydro, temperature management in the dairy and the use of waste for energy. 

Although the site is currently closed to the public due to COVID-19 restrictions, Agriculture Victoria is working to open the farm to visitors later this year to enable farmers to see the technology in action.

Prof Jacobs said the research site at Ellinbank would normally attract 1000 visitors per year ranging from farmers to students and international visitors.

“That number is growing and growing rapidly,” he said.