More than 50 members of the Agricultural Science Association (ASA) paid a visit to Ballaghadreen, Co Roscommon, on Thursday this week in order to take a behind the scenes tour of Aurivo’s dairy ingredients facility.

The focus of the tour was sustainability with the ASA group taking a tour of Aurivo’s newly installed biomass facility. This new wood-fuelled energy system aims to cut carbon emissions in half through a reduction in usage of heavy fuel oil. Aurivo is the first large scale milk processor in the country to switch to biomass as a source of energy.

Speaking at the event, Aurivo chief executive Aaron Forde said that 70% of suppliers had increased production since April and that sustainability was vital for the processor in order to handle that extra supply, particularly when faced with challenging market conditions.

“Delivering enhanced business efficiencies and a commitment to sustainability at producer and processor level continues to be a key focus,” added Forde.

Dairy forum

Following the tour, ASA delegates participated in a dairy forum which focussed on the importance of planning for dairy farmers in order to achieve a sustainable and profitable business.

Speaking at the forum, farm profitability manager with Aurivo, Roberta McDonald, outlined the co-op’s farm profitability programme, which she said works with farmers to increase farm sustainability and improve profitability.

“There is enormous potential for dairy farming in the Aurivo region, from both existing and new operations. Profitable and sustainable dairy farms are key to a reliable milk supply from this region in the future,” she added.

Concluding the event, ASA President Neil Keane said ASA members were very impressed by the scale of Aurivo’s dairy processing operations in the west of Ireland.

“Aurivo is showing great leadership by demonstrating how a co-op can successfully integrate sustainability into the core of its business operations while also supporting its farmers in achieving a more sustainable and profitable business model,” said Keane.