Product Overview

Summary: This On-Farm Energy Conservation Standard Operating Procedure provides a clear, practical framework for reducing energy use and costs across Australian farming operations. It guides producers through consistent, measurable steps to improve efficiency, cut emissions, and support long-term farm profitability without compromising productivity.

Energy is a major input cost for Australian farms, from pumping water and running irrigation to powering cool rooms, dairies, workshops and on-farm processing. Without a structured approach, energy use can become fragmented, inefficient and expensive, with no clear visibility of where power is being wasted or how improvements should be prioritised. This On-Farm Energy Conservation SOP establishes a repeatable, evidence-based process for planning, implementing and reviewing energy-saving practices across your entire operation.

The procedure walks your team through energy mapping, equipment assessment, scheduling strategies, and behaviour-based controls tailored to agricultural settings. It helps you integrate energy efficiency into day-to-day tasks such as irrigation scheduling, machinery operation, cold storage management and lighting, while aligning with emerging sustainability expectations from supply chains, financiers and regulators. By following this SOP, farms can reduce operating costs, support decarbonisation goals, and demonstrate responsible resource management to auditors, customers and industry programs, all within a structured and defensible framework.

Key Benefits

• Reduce electricity, diesel and gas costs through structured energy-saving practices across farm operations.
• Standardise how staff plan, monitor and review energy use, improving consistency and accountability.
• Identify and prioritise high-impact efficiency upgrades, from pumps and motors to lighting and refrigeration.
• Support compliance with environmental and sustainability requirements from customers, banks and industry programs.
• Improve data collection and reporting on energy performance to support grants, rebates and investment decisions.

Who is this for?

• Farm Owners
• Farm Managers
• Agribusiness Operations Managers
• Sustainability and Environmental Managers
• Irrigation Managers
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Dairy Managers
• Feedlot Managers
• Vineyard and Orchard Managers
• WHS and Compliance Coordinators in Agriculture

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Terms
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Overview of On-Farm Energy Use (Electricity, Fuel, Gas)
• 5.0 Energy Mapping and Baseline Assessment
• 6.0 Identifying Energy-Intensive Equipment and Processes
• 7.0 Irrigation and Pumping Energy Efficiency Procedures
• 8.0 Machinery, Tractors and Mobile Plant Fuel Efficiency Practices
• 9.0 Dairy, Cold Storage and Refrigeration Energy Management
• 10.0 Workshop, Sheds and General Services (Lighting, Compressed Air, Ventilation)
• 11.0 Scheduling, Load Management and Tariff Optimisation
• 12.0 Behavioural Controls and Staff Training Requirements
• 13.0 Preventive Maintenance to Support Energy Efficiency
• 14.0 Renewable Energy Integration (Solar PV, Solar Pumping, Battery Storage) – Operational Considerations
• 15.0 Monitoring, Metering and Record-Keeping
• 16.0 Performance Indicators and Continuous Improvement
• 17.0 Documentation, Version Control and Review Schedule
• 18.0 References and Supporting Resources

Legislation & References

• ISO 50001: Energy management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
• AS/NZS 3598.1:2014 Energy audits – Commercial buildings (used as guidance for structured energy reviews)
• AS/NZS 3598.2:2014 Energy audits – Industrial and related activities (relevant to on-farm processing and workshops)
• National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 (Cth) – for larger agribusiness operations
• State-based energy efficiency schemes and guidelines (e.g. NSW Energy Security Safeguard, Victorian Energy Upgrades Program) where applicable