Page 26 - Vol.36-No.6 issue

DAIRY FARMING

AL RAWABI FARM

ITS REOPENING TO PUBLIC

while providing the most wholesome, on developing enriched dairy prod-
nutritious and delicious products to the ucts to help combat the ever-growing
consumers, keeping in mind the over- health concerns specific to the region,
all environmental sustainability and including Vitamin D deficiency.
the ever-changing needs of the com-
munity.
“Al Rawabi Farm is located only 200
meters away from the plant, which en-
sures milk reaches the plant within
few minutes. We are keen on guaran-
teeing freshness in every drop, every
HE Eissa Abdul Jalil Al Fahim, Mem- day.” says Dr Ahmed El Tigani, CEO, Al
ber of Al Fahim Group Supervisory Rawabi Dairy Company.
Board visited Al Rawabi Dairy farm and
production plant on a private visit. He
was welcomed by Dr. Ahmed El Tigani, HE Eissa Abdul Jalil Al Fahim was
CEO of Al Rawabi Dairy Company. shown the full milking process. His Ex-
cellency observed the cutting-edge
During his visit, HE Eissa Abdul Jal- technology that is being used to ensure
il Al Fahim observed that Al Rawabi is each cow is taken care of to optimise
much more than just a farm: it is an in- milk production, such as innovative
stitution that is forefront of dairy farm- shade displays and sprinkler systems
ing in the region since its inception in to keep the cattle cool in the summer
1989 having started with just 500 cows. months.
Today, with over 15,000 cows, a dairy
plant, a juice plant, and a centre for Following the COVID-19 outbreak, Al
feed production, Al Rawabi is not only Rawabi temporarily closed the farm to
the region’s largest dairy producer, but “Al Rawabi constantly works with the the public. “Al Rawabi has at heart to
also the best. government institutions, schools and ensure that its 15,000 cows are milking
representatives of the communities, to healthily, providing consumers with the
Behind the name remains an ev- be on the cutting edge of health in the freshest and most qualitative products
er-striving motto to be the responsi- region.” he added. Through years of possible during these hard times” con-
ble, holistic and innovative company, dedicated research, Al Rawabi keeps cluded El Tigani.
Circle 31 on enquiry card

REDUCING EMISSIONS WITH THE HELP OF SEAWEED

Fonterra Australia Sustainability he’s excited to be teaming up with Fon-
Manager Jack Holden says helping terra on this initiative.
farmers to produce milk more sustain-
ably is a priority for Fonterra. “We’ve been developing this prod-
uct for 18 months, so commencing this
“Most dairy farming emissions come trial is a real milestone for us. This is
from the methane cows produce as the first trial we’ve engaged with and
they digest their feed. we hope it can assist in improving re-
search in this space and bring us clos-
“Early testing shows the potential for er to commercialising this product as
these emissions to be reduced by in- a feed supplement, to significantly re-
corporating natural seaweed into cows’ duce the carbon footprint of milk pro-
diets, so we are keen to see if those test duction.”
results can be replicated in dairy herds
In a step towards a potential solu- at scale,” says Holden. “We’ve partnered with Fonterra be-
tion to dairy farm emissions, we’ve cause of their commitment to sustaina-
partnered with Sea Forest to see if us- “Most dairy farming emissions come bility and innovation.”
ing seaweed in cows’ feed can reduce from the methane cows produce as
Jack Holden says the initiative holds
greenhouse gasses. they digest their feed. enormous potential for both Fonterra
The trial will use Asparagopsis, a “Early testing shows the potential for and the dairy industry more broadly.
seaweed grown naturally in Austral- these emissions to be reduced by in-
ia and New Zealand, as a supplement corporating natural seaweed into cows’ “We’re excited to be leading the way
feed for herds in Tasmania during the diets, so we are keen to see if those test in developing more sustainable farm-
coming milk season. results can be replicated in dairy herds ing practices and look forward to work-
at scale,” says Holden. ing with our farmers on this trial.
In laboratory testing led by CSIRO,
the seaweed has shown the potential The trial will be tightly controlled to “Hopefully this is a step forward in
to reduce the emissions from cows by ensure the cows and their milk are safe. reducing our emissions and develop-
more than 80 per cent*. Sea Forest founder Sam Elsom says ing more sustainable farming process-
es.” Circle 31 on enquiry card
24 Vol. 36 No. 6