SUSTAINABILITY AT HADDON RIG
Haddon Rig is lucky to be endowed with a wealth of natural assets, including many native animal and plant species, extensive wetlands, waterways and native pastures. We are also home to a wide range of birdlife, which make their homes on our swamps, creeks and rivers. We are committed to the protection and promotion of our natural capital assets and to reducing the environmental footprint of our operations.
Whilst recognising this is an evolving space and that we are at the beginning of our journey, some of the projects we have completed are:
PROTECTION OF NATIVE BIRDLIFE
Every year, Haddon Rig partners with Charles Sturt University to support their Wetlands Birds Fund. This project aims to use acoustic monitoring technology to detect wetland bird species in south-eastern Australia and Tasmania, and monitor their diversity and breeding events through the timing and frequency of the noises they make.
The objectives of this project include:
to better understand the ecology, population status and distribution of wetland bird species in eastern Australia;
trial large-scale deployment of acoustic sensors with manual data collection;
determine the presence or absence of bird species
an increase in the public's awareness of these species
PROTECTION OF NATIVE FISH SPECIES
We have been involved in funding and project managing the release of thousands of cod, yellow belly fingerlings in our local river systems, including the Macquarie River and Marthaguy Creek.
A team effort between DPI Fisheries and dedicated volunteers from Inland Waterways Ozfish has resulted in more than 350 native fish rescued and relocated from drying pools in the Lower Macquarie River.
Video here.
100 KILOWHATT SOLAR PV
In 2023, we took part in the NSW DPI Energy Efficiency Solutions project, which involved installing a 100 kilowatt solar PV and 150 kilowatt hour lithium ion battery system, providing the farm with approximately 70% energy independence from the electricity grid.
The main supply points for the new system are the office, main accommodation block, maintenance shed, woolshed and sheep feedlot.
Annual electricity bills reduced by about two thirds.
The sheep feedlot is operated by a fully automated, computerised feed out system is now 100% reliable, and this reliability has been provided by the new energy system.
The shearing shed equipment requires electricity to operate and the new system avoids previous issues such as shearers not being able to work due to blackouts.
REVEGETATION AND TREE PLANTING PROGRAMS
Over the last five years, Haddon Rig has planted over 2000 trees, and created over 10 km of biodiversity lanes. These tree lanes serve as windbreaks, habitats for birds and wildlife and help protect our crops and livestock from spray drift. The original 5km of tree lanes were planted with the help of the Warren Youth Group, a community organisation aimed at helping disadvantaged and indigenous youth find employment and upskill.
SHEEP BREEDING PHILOSOPHY
By breeding Merino sheep that are more adaptable to changing environmental conditions and global trends, we aim to help reduce the industry’s impact on the environment and promote sustainable and ethical farming practices.
Haddon Rig’s breeding program is primarily focused on producing high quality, fertile, meat producing Merinos that breed true to type. In addition our breeding techniques and bloodlines have also been influential in meeting modern social, climatic and environmental demands in the Merino industry.
In terms of social demands consumers today are increasingly interested in sustainable and ethical production practices. Our focus on scientific breeding techniques and objective measurement enhances the consistency and quality of our Merinos and their wool, which is important for meeting consumer expectations.
Our breeding program focuses on producing Merino sheep that are well-adapted to Australian conditions. This includes selecting for traits such as structure, fertility, recovery and resistance to drought and high rainfall which are important for the sustainability of the industry in the face of climate variability.
