QFF has completed the QBEST Ag Program which has identified $1.64 million in potential savings for Queensland farmers who participated in the program.

Delivering 35 on-farm energy audits across Queensland, the program identified annual savings for participants which amount to:

• 4,312 MWh (megawatt-hours), equivalent to the consumption of 698 Queensland households

• $1.64 million in energy costs

• 3,148 tCO2-e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) of Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to around 1,347 passenger cars driven for a year.

The program, supported by the Queensland Government, was open to large electricity users, defined as those that use more than 100,000 kWh (kilowatt-hours) per year of electricity.

QFF CEO Jo Sheppard said that energy audit programs provide vital assistance to farmers who are looking to gain a better understanding of their energy usage and identify cost effective ways to improve productivity.

“QFF has a strong track record of identifying opportunities to improve on farm energy efficiency, which is vital to helping famers bring down their farm input costs,” Ms Sheppard said.

“Last year QFF and the Queensland Government launched the Queensland Ag Energy Hub which provides a central point for energy information including over 100 energy case studies and QFF’s Renewable Energy Landholder Toolkit to support landholders make informed decisions about hosting renewable energy projects on their land.

“We need to keep supporting our farms with up-to-date, independent energy information to help farmers reduce input costs and improve productivity and profitability.”

“Improved energy literacy tools, such as the Queensland Ag Energy Hub, will continue to be a focus for QFF and our members to help the agriculture sector reduce its electricity consumption and also carbon footprint.”

The Queensland Ag Energy Hub website provides energy information for farmers and landholders in one location. https://www.qldagenergyhub.com.au/ The site allows users to search by farm sector, irrigation type, technology and location so they can easily find what they are looking for.

Case study highlights from the QBEST Ag Energy Audit Program highlights include:

1. A dairy farm that had paid a deposit for a 200kW Solar PV system before participating in the energy audit program. The audit subsequently recommended a 100kW Solar PV system for the site, noting that the 200kW system would have a significantly longer payback period than the solar installer had estimated. The farm was able to renegotiate the contract to the more suitable 100kW system, with an immediate $150,000 capital saving. Southern Downs Dairy - Ag Energy Hub

1. A horticulture farm that had installed Variable Speed Drives and a Solar PV system at a pump station. The audit identified that the irrigation and solar systems were not operating effectively and recommended several maintenance measures that could lead to annual energy cost savings of $20,000 with very low capital cost. https://www.qldagenergyhub.com.au/case-studies/north-burnett-horticulture-farm

1. Implementation of audit findings at a cotton farm, with the farm advising that they were keen to rectify the issues identified in the audit. The audit had identified that the bore pump had been working in accordance with its specification, but that an inspection may be required to identify any faults with the bore casing or impellor. The inspection and rectification are estimated to reduce pump run time by around 20% to deliver the same amount of water, saving over $6,300 per year https://www.qldagenergyhub.com.au/case-studies/cecil-plains-cotton-farm-2

1. A north Queensland cane farm, where the auditor recommended upgrading the irrigation main line to reduce friction losses. The upgrade would provide additional capacity which is likely to increase productivity and make the irrigation system more flexibility. The power bill savings alone would amount to an estimated 10,000 kWh per year, saving over $4,200. North Queensland Cane Farm - Ag Energy Hub

Case studies from the QBEST Ag Energy Audit Program and previous QFF energy audit programs can be found on the Queensland Ag Energy Hub website. The Queensland Ag Energy Hub can be accessed at www.qldagenergyhub.com.au

The QBEST Ag Program was delivered by the Queensland Farmers’ Federation with funding from the Queensland Government. 35 independent energy audits were conducted at Queensland farms that use over 100,000 kWh per year of electricity. The audits were delivered between August 2023 and December 2024.

The savings identified in this media release are based on the sum of the recommendations from all 35 audits.

Energy Information Service for Landholders

For help with energy matters and updates, contact The Energy Information Service for Landholders, a free phone service for farmers and landholders in Queensland.

The service is available Monday – Friday from 8:30am – 5pm and can assist by providing information and guidance on a range of energy matters.

Call 07 3329 7500 to access the service today.