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SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainable Farming

Sustainability is at the heart of both Tirlán’s and Dairygold’s long-term strategic ambitions. Both farmer owned co-operatives are committed to supporting sustainable farming, in a manner that secures a better world for generations to come.

FarmGen is an industry-leading, sustainable energy generation initiative, and it’s growth is a clear indication of the dairy sector’s commitment to embracing new technologies. Ultimately, supporting both co-operatives goals of cutting farm emissions and helping farm families operate more sustainably and efficiently.

Sustainable Energy

FarmGen is one of the largest users of Tams Funding for Solar PV.

The bespoke Solar PV solution is specifically designed to power energy-intensive processes on farm, such as milk cooling, vacuum pumps, water heating and more. Depending on the system size and battery bundle, FarmGen can deliver energy savings of typically between 20% and 50% per annum.

FarmGen monitors energy generation and consumption in real-time. Which gives farm families a better understanding of when and where energy is consumed.

This data also helps drive efficiencies into the future; reducing energy costs on farms, whilst operating in a sustainable manner.

FarmGen is reducing costs and carbon emissions on farm

Strong Focus on Sustainability 

FarmGen forms part of Tirlán’s ‘Sustainable Action Payment’ programme, which is part of the cooperative’s wider ‘Living Proof’ sustainability strategy. Farmers who install a Solar PV solution on their farm through the FarmGen Programme, can declare it as one of their seven actions to qualify for the 0.5c/l milk payment.

In addition, FarmGen forms part of Tirlán Origin Green’s ‘Gold Standard’ award accreditation.

Tirlán's Living Proof Sustainability Strategy

Tirlán works with and supports its milk suppliers as they continue to enhance the environmental and economic sustainability of their family farms.

As part of its comprehensive sustainability strategy, Living Proof, Tirlán, along with its family farms, has pledged to deliver a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with each litre of milk produced by 2030 and has signed up to the internationally-recognised Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

All of Tirlán’s dairy suppliers are accredited to the Bord Bia Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme (SDAS).

 

kilkenny cheese sbti logo
Signed up to Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi), specifying targets and timeframes for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
kilkenny cheese 2030 logo

Supporting our dairy farmers to deliver a 30% reduction in carbon intensity from milk production by 2030

kilkenny cheese 2025 3

Building and enhancing soil health, with 100% of our Milk Suppliers having a Nutrient Management Plan, Soil Testing and Fertiliser Programme by 2025

kilkenny cheese 2025 logo
Protect water quality, with 100% of our Milk Suppliers in Priority Areas for Action having water quality plans in place by 2025
kilkenny cheese 2025 2
Protect water quality, with 100% of our Milk Suppliers in Priority Areas for Action having water quality plans in place by 2025

Tirlán's Living Proof Sustainability Strategy

Tirlán works with and supports its milk suppliers as they continue to enhance the environmental and economic sustainability of their family farms.

As part of its comprehensive sustainability strategy, Living Proof, Tirlán, along with its family farms, has pledged to deliver a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with each litre of milk produced by 2030 and has signed up to the internationally-recognised Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

All of Tirlán’s dairy suppliers are accredited to the Bord Bia Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme (SDAS).

 

kilkenny cheese sbti logo
Signed up to Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi), specifying targets and timeframes for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

 

kilkenny cheese 2030 logo

Supporting our dairy farmers to deliver a 30% reduction in carbon intensity from milk production by 2030.

kilkenny cheese 2025 3

Building and enhancing soil health, with 100% of our Milk Suppliers having a Nutrient Management Plan, Soil Testing and Fertiliser Programme by 2025.

 

kilkenny cheese 2025 logo
Protect water quality, with 100% of our Milk Suppliers in Priority Areas for Action having water quality plans in place by 2025.

 

kilkenny cheese 2025 2
Protect water quality, with 100% of our Milk Suppliers in Priority Areas for Action having water quality plans in place by 2025.

Dairygold & Sustainability

‘Our Strategy Our Future 2030’ positions sustainability and the environment at the heart of the Dairygold business. Sustainability is enshrined at the core of what Dairygold do, shaping how they operate and influencing the decisions that they make. Dairygold recognise that sustainability is not just about the environment alone. It is about their supply chain, their people and how they interact with their ecosystem. It is these elements that make up their sustainability pillars – ‘our environment, our supply chain, our people and our community’.

Dairygold have a proud record of working with Milk Suppliers to promote the adoption of best practices in quality milk production, financial management, soil fertility, breeding and grassland management. In 2022, Dairygold launched their Grassroots Milk Supplier Sustainability Bonus to support the transition to more sustainable dairy farming.

In addition the cooperative has achieved Origin Green Gold membership for two consecutive years, 2022 and 2023,recognising the work being done to reduce their environmental impact and enhance their societal contribution.

Now in November 2023 ,with the launch of FarmGen PV Solar Panels to their farming communities, Dairygold are continuing their mission to support the transition to more sustainable farming.

Grass roots

Sustainability - FarmGen

Sustainability - FarmGen

Sustainability - FarmGen

Dairygold & Sustainability

‘Our Strategy Our Future 2030’ positions sustainability and the environment at the heart of the Dairygold business. Sustainability is enshrined at the core of what Dairygold do, shaping how they operate and influencing the decisions that they make. Dairygold recognise that sustainability is not just about the environment alone. It is about their supply chain, their people and how they interact with their ecosystem. It is these elements that make up their sustainability pillars – ‘our environment, our supply chain, our people and our community’.

Dairygold have a proud record of working with Milk Suppliers to promote the adoption of best practices in quality milk production, financial management, soil fertility, breeding and grassland management. In 2022, Dairygold launched their Grassroots Milk Supplier Sustainability Bonus to support the transition to more sustainable dairy farming.

In addition the cooperative has achieved Origin Green Gold membership for two consecutive years, 2022 and 2023,recognising the work being done to reduce their environmental impact and enhance their societal contribution.

Now in November 2023 ,with the launch of FarmGen PV Solar Panels to their farming communities, Dairygold are continuing their mission to support the transition to more sustainable farming.

Grass roots

Sustainability - FarmGen

Sustainability - FarmGen

Sustainability - FarmGen

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