Integrated sustainable farm structures

Sustainability of farm buildings, how are they considered in the big picture of the operation and function of a farm? Think about long-term, capital investments, such as structural building materials, tools, machinery, structures, site access, transportation and farm infrastructure. What impact do the decisions about capital investment into the farm equipment and buildings have on the overall sustainability, profit and function of a farm? Farm structures are to be rugged and functional. Are they sustainable? What is a sustainable farm structure? Does it add value to your farm? Can you make farm structures that help improve your profit margins? These questions may not have even been asked by anyone as yet. If we are looking at greater efficiency in farming and improvements in sustainability of our farms, obviously answers to these questions are required. Planning and siting farm structures can have a great impact on how effective and efficient the farm operates. There are ways to assess siting and location of farm buildings to take into account the climate conditions, such as, prevailing winds, solar radiation and potential climate change. The use of the IES-VE, Integrated Environmental Solutions - Virtual Environment, allows for analysis of the impacts of the climate conditions on the siting, energy use and operation of the farm structures. IES-VE modelling and analysis provides solutions to help optimise the life-cycle, capital cost, running costs and maintenance of each farm structure. The in-depth understanding of the impact current climate and potential climate change can have on the operation and siting of structures is critical to the optimum efficiency of operation and overall profitability of any farm. This presentation and paper will provide a case study of the application, analysis and use of IES-VE in determining ways to improve the energy use and efficiency of a farm.