Unique pay as you save option gives farmers the chance to adopt new milk-chilling technology.
A year after launching, about 50 Fonterra suppliers have installed Coolcare milk chilling units, avoiding the use of about 5800 tonnes of carbon equivalent cooling gas.
New Zealand-owned and operated milk refrigeration company Coolcare has collaborated with Fonterra, Purpose Capital, the New Zealand Green Investment Finance and Cool-Safe in what is known as the pay as you save (PAUS) programme.
This enables Fonterra farmers to lease new milk chilling systems that are cost-effective to run and use fourth generation refrigerant gases that have about 80% less carbon dioxide equivalent than older systems.
Joe and Becky Laming from Altavady Group near Oamaru were among the first farmers to sign up to the PAUS Programme and recommend it to others.
“Over 30 days in September 2024, it saved us $972 in dairy shed electricity and hot water generation compared to our previous system,” Joe Laming said.
Timaru-based Bruce Murphy of Murphy Farms is another early adopter saying one of his old units was dated and Coolcare has proven an excellent replacement.
“What really appealed to me was the fact that the lease is seven years. Technology is moving at a fast rate and in the end, we will have the ability to replace that unit with current technology.”
Murphy Farms is planning to convert all six of its farms to the PAUS Programme.
Fonterra and Nestle’s Net Zero Pilot Dairy Farm in Taranaki also has one of the units.
Anne Douglas, group director for Fonterra Farm Source, says the programme offers farmers a quality milk chilling option that’s not only cost effective and offers hassle free maintenance, but it reduces emissions and provides electricity savings.
“As more farmers take part, the positive impact on both the industry and the environment will continue to grow,” she says.
Coolcare Chief Executive Allan Steele says the first year of the partnership has been laying foundations such as support for participating farmers.
The company is now starting to scale up production of units from its Hamilton facility.
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