success stories
In the Land of Milk and Honey
It has never been easier living in the land of milk and honey— where milk literally comes from cows and honey is found in the form of money from energy savings.
When Nick and Don Slomp of Ridgeview Dairy rebuilt their family dairy farm, their main concern was producing a quality product in the most efficient way possible. Now, years later, they are reaping the benefits of efficient thinking in a market of fluctuating electricity and natural gas prices.
By implementing a plate cooler and a variable speed drive milk pump, Ridgeview Dairy has reduced the time and energy needed to cool milk. Slowly running milk through the plate cooler results in a greater heat exchange that quickly shaves approximately 30°F at the onset of cooling. Although this process uses more water, the water is recycled as drinking water for the cows.
“The efficient variable speed drive on the vacuum pump also cuts energy use by approximately 50 per cent,” explains Hank Slingerland of Lethbridge Dairy Mart. “This eliminates the need to displace excess air admitted by the vacuum regulator and allows a faster response to the vacuum requirements in the milking parlor.”
Natural ventilation is also saving Nick and Don money. With natural ventilation, the sides of the barn can open, as required by a thermostat control, so fresh air can enter the barn. The hot, moist air captured inside the barn is drawn out through chimneys on the roof.
The number and length of the chimneys controls the speed of the outgoing air. If it’s cold outside (-20 to –40°C.), the brothers simply reduce the opening of the chimneys to slow down the rate of exhausting. This ensures more warm air stays inside the barn to allow the natural ventilation to continue without the inside of the barn getting too cold.
Why bother? Conventional fans used to push “old” air out of the barn consume a huge amount of energy. In fact, for many operations, these fans are one of the highest operating costs. Natural ventilation eliminates these costs and provides a healthier environment for the cows.
The brothers aren’t stopping here. In the summer of 2006, Ridgeview Dairy, as a test case for the OnFarm program, underwent an energy assessment to identify more ways to cut energy use on their farm.
“If there is an opportunity to save more on my energy costs while having environmental co-benefits then I want to know.” said Nick. “I can make better choices for my operation if I have all the information.”
The OnFarm program offers 100, first-come, first-serve energy efficiency assessments for dairy, swine and poultry producers in Southern Alberta. The assessment valued at over $1,800 only costs participating producers $200.
The assessments will show producers where energy is being used and provide recommendations to lower this consumption. The long-term goal is to create a regional network that includes the equipment, supplies, services and financing required for long-term uptake of energy efficiency improvements on farms.
To participate in the OnFarm program, visit www.onfarmenergy.com or contact Debbie Campbell at (403) 329-1212 or Debbie.campbell@gov.ab.ca.