The funding will support 27 farmer-led sustainability projects, bringing The a2 Milk Company's total investment in on-farm sustainability initiatives to more than $3.7 million since the fund was established.
The a2 Farm Sustainability Fund supports initiatives that deliver practical sustainability outcomes on farm, aligned with the company’s focus areas across climate, nature, cows and rural communities.
Projects funded include:
• Hold the Gold Farm, Waikato, New Zealand: a project focused on reducing nitrogen inputs by leveraging natural soil biology. By trialling bio-based nitrogen alternatives across part of the farm and monitoring pasture growth, the project aims to cut nitrogen use by up to 50 per cent while maintaining productivity, supporting climate and soil health outcomes while also reducing financial inputs.
• Hastings Park, New South Wales: an initiative to improve animal welfare and reduce energy use through upgraded cooling and heating systems in the milking operation. By installing energy-efficient fans and a heat exchange system for water heating, the project aims to reduce emissions and operating costs while improving cow comfort and productivity.
Managing Director and CEO of The a2 Milk Company, David Bortolussi, said the projects reflected the growing focus among farmers on practical innovations that deliver both environmental and commercial benefits.
"Our farmers are finding new ways to improve productivity while reducing environmental impacts, and that's exactly the type of innovation this fund is designed to support.
"The projects funded this year demonstrate that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand. They're helping build more resilient farming businesses while delivering measurable outcomes for the environment, animal welfare and local communities," Mr Bortolussi said.
Since launching in Australia in 2017 and expanding to New Zealand in 2022, the fund has supported more than 140 projects across the supply chain.
Applications were assessed by independent investment committees in Australia and New Zealand comprising specialists in environmental management, agricultural decarbonisation, animal welfare, development economics and green finance.
The a2 Milk Company welcomed four new investment committee members in 2026, Dr. Mairi Stewart in New Zealand and Mel Cutler, Jack Holden and Sam Churchill in Australia.
Farmer-led innovation plays a vital role in advancing sustainability in the dairy sector, with farmers often best placed to identify practical, on-farm solutions grounded in day-to-day operations.
Supporting projects that deliver both environmental and productivity benefits can help accelerate broader adoption across the industry, while initiatives like the fund enable farmers to implement approaches and technologies that drive positive outcomes for both the environment and farm business.
Jack Holden, Australian Investment Committee member has worked closely with farmers on a wide range of farm sustainability innovations over a number of years.
“Innovations that deliver both environmental benefits and farm profitability are so much more valuable to all parties and widespread adoption can also follow over time.
“As an industry, it’s important that we continue to look for opportunities that demonstrate sustainability and profitability.
“The a2 Farm Sustainability Fund provides farmers with a way to de-risk the implementation of such innovations, in a way that suits their individual businesses.”
Funded projects commenced in July 2026 across Australia and New Zealand.
