The cherry orchard at Forest Lodge defines itself as "possibly the first commercial agricultural enterprise in the world to be zero fossil fuels and 100% electric."
Located in central Otago, New Zealand, the company uses a wide range of electrical equipment including anti-frost fans, irrigation pumps, and vehicles, all powered by a 23 kW solar array and a 105 kWh battery, supplemented by New Zealand's high-intensity renewable electric grid.
"Instead of telling farmers what to do, we're showing them what we've done and the numbers," says farmer Mike Casey, who founded the farm with his wife Rebecca and will be one of the key speakers at this year's National Renewable Energy in Agriculture Conference in Queensland.
Also presenting at the Toowoomba conference is local meat producer Caitlin McConnel, who will discuss her cattle grazing experience under solar panels and why it's crucial for agriculture and renewable energies to work together.
"Since 2010, my family has been grazing beef cattle under specially designed solar trackers to ensure continuous cattle production while using minimal agricultural land," explains McConnel.
The National Conference on Renewable Energy in Agriculture was launched in 2019 by NSW farmer Karin Stark, after struggling to find readily available information on alternative fossil fuels. It brings together farmers, agriculture and energy consultants, leading organizations, and government representatives to share stories of renewable and electrical technologies on farms.
"With the intersection of agriculture and renewable energy becoming increasingly vital, the National Conference on Renewable Energy in Agriculture is a critical platform for industry operators to collaborate, innovate, and pave the way toward a more sustainable future," says Stark.
Read the full article: Renew Economy
Image: Renew Economy
02 Jul 2024
Nicolás Zamorano, consultant for Asian markets, commented that in China, consumers 'were mainly trained on cherry varieties. Today the business is no longer global, but increasingly specific, along with the requirements customers have for each variety'.
29 Jul 2025
A study from Dalian Minzu University in China shows how pre-harvest application of alginate oligosaccharides can effectively reduce sweet cherry cracking, enhancing fruit resistance during water stress and storage phases. Promising results for cherry growers.
23 Apr 2026
Corette® rootstocks by Agromillora show strong adaptability to Mediterranean soils in Spain. Trials highlight good yields, early production and suitability for intensive orchards, improving efficiency, fruit quality and long-term sustainability.
23 Apr 2026
A Tasmanian research project examines how rain covers alter orchard microclimates, analysing impacts on cherry quality, yield and tree growth. Findings will help growers manage hotter summers, extreme rainfall events and the increasing challenges of climate change.
