Driven by the ambition to be Australia's most sustainable supermarket, Coles decided to go down the path of a carbon neutral brand.
We all have a responsibility to reduce our environmental footprint and Coles is no different, so they brought their suppliers, like the Farrington family on the journey with them, helping the environment whilst delivering a tangible and quality product to their customers as well.
Positive environmental outcomes are in our DNA
For Andrew and Sirri Farrington, having the farm in a better environmental state than when they arrived is quite simply in their DNA. To date they have planted 4,000 trees and fenced off environmentally sensitive areas. But in all they do, maintaining the environmental outcomes is integral to what we do. They don't spend a lot of time thinking about it because it's always front of mind. In every decision they make the environmental outcomes are always there.
We just love them
A love of animals is the reason Andrew and Sirri Farrington got into farming in the first place.
“We just love them” says Sirri “the animals are our priority and caring for them is integral to all we do.”
And that love of animals extends to their two boys Will and Lachie, who bring in and raise the poddy calves. But what’s a poddy calf I hear you ask…it is a calf that has to be hand fed because it has been rejected by it’s mum or mum may have gotten sick, may not be producing enough milk or she may have passed away.
So, Will and Lachie take these calves and feed them twice a day at first, then once a day as the calves get older. They make sure they are fat and happy with everything they need. They can call them out in the paddock and they all come up and have a look. They're inquisitive little things.
Converting grass into protein
The land that Andrew and Sirri Farrington farm with their sons Will and Lachie is not particularly arable. It is not suitable for cropping. It's not suitable for growing legumes or wheat or barley or rice or anything else. What they have is grass and through raising livestock they are able to convert that grass (a low-quality protein source) into a high quality protein source...beef!
“We would think that's quite a positive thing, particularly given that a lot of the world population, is deficient in protein.” Andrew Farrington
Rapid fire Farringtons
Get to know the Farrington family as Andrew, Sirri, Will and Lachie answer some of our rapid fire questions. What are their favourite animals? What animal are they most afraid of? What is a happy, healthy cow? When did they start working on the land? And what is the best name for a poddy calf?
Farmers care for the planet
Australian farmers are adopting a range of sustainability initiatives to reduce emissions and help the planet.
To eat a sustainable diet, Australian research shows that all foods, including red meat, must be eaten in recommended amounts, and be sustainably produced.
