A Queensland business has become the country's first egg producer to be certified carbon neutral.
Yallamundi Farm at Punchs Creek near Millmerran was certified carbon neutral by the Australian government's Climate Active program ahead of its 2022 target.
Certification is awarded to businesses that have achieved a state of net zero emissions, meaning they are carbon neutral and not contributing to climate change.
Yallamundi Farm has reduced its emissions through increased renewable energy, better on-farm productivity, investment in automation, and limited fuel use.
Unavoidable emissions have been offset with the purchase of carbon credits which will go toward the Boobera Native Forest Regeneration Project, which is restoring native forests and sequestering carbon on degraded agricultural land in South West Queensland.
Farm manager Tom Sellars said a commitment to sustainable practices was deeply rooted at Yallamundi to ensure a better way for its hens, the planet and consumers.
"We are very aware of the legacy we'll leave for future generations, and that's why we're committed to playing our part with a new standard for sustainable egg farming," Mr Sellars said.
"We recognise the areas of egg production that generate higher levels of emissions include feed production and transport, manure outputs, packaging and farm travel, and have put in a number of emission reduction strategies to actively reduce our footprint.
"Our farm is 100 per cent solar-powered, with over 900 solar panels powering our mobile hen sheds.
"We use pasture regeneration practices and have dedicated a third of our property to biodiversity to ensure we are having a positive impact on our planet.
"We value our role as caretakers of the land, and we're passionate about regenerating the land on which we tread - leaving it better off than when we found it, for this lifetime and many more."
Queensland United Egg Producers CEO John Coward said the industry had seen investment in renewables and automation to allow for better on farm productivity and that "a greater focus on emissions across the supply chain has become apparent".
Egg Farmers of Australia CEO Melinda Hashimoto said egg farmers were focused on continual improvement like any other business.
"Reports through mass media demonstrate that government, farming industries and consumers are focused on the policy positioning in relation to carbon commitments," she said.
Climate Active spokesperson Katrina Maguire said the Downs farmers had broken new ground.
"It's a first for Climate Active, with Australia's first carbon neutral egg certification," she said.
"Yallamundi Farm joins a network of climate leaders, working within their sectors to drive change.
"It's great to see new carbon neutral products emerging in the market, providing more sustainable options for consumers."
Yallamundi Farm is also addressing its emissions output once the eggs leave the farm which includes packaging, grading and transport to the wholesale centre.
The farm is reducing packaging and has set its sights on transitioning to an electric vehicle fleet.
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Brandon Long
Brandon Long is a Queensland Country Life journalist based in Toowoomba.
Brandon Long is a Queensland Country Life journalist based in Toowoomba.
