A South Australian family piggery is setting new standards for sustainable farming after receiving nearly one million dollars in grants to transform their operations with solar power and innovative animal welfare practices.
Family legacy continues with major upgrades
Brett Edson, a second-generation farmer who took over Edson Piggery from his parents, has revolutionised the Murray Bridge operation that began in 1987. What started as a modest family venture has now become a showcase of modern agricultural innovation, with the Edson children already expressing interest in continuing the farming tradition.
The transformation began in 2018 when the farm received its first $450,000 Coles Nurture Fund grant, enabling the installation of a comprehensive solar and battery system. This renewable energy setup now powers the entire piggery operation, including the feed mill, addressing previous power limitations that had restricted expansion.
Second grant drives animal welfare breakthrough
The farm's progress accelerated further in 2023 with a second $475,000 grant from the same program. This funding is supporting the construction of a state-of-the-art freedom farrowing system that represents a significant advancement in pig welfare standards.
These innovative pens are 44 per cent larger than traditional crates, providing sows with substantially more space to move freely and interact naturally with their piglets while maintaining essential safety measures. This system establishes a new benchmark for animal welfare in Australian pig farming.
Leading Australia's sustainable farming future
The Edsons' partnership with Coles, which began in 2017, has been instrumental in their success story. Supplying pigs exclusively to the supermarket giant has provided the stability needed to invest in long-term improvements.
Brett Edson emphasises that running a family farm extends beyond pork production to encompass animal welfare, environmental stewardship, and securing the future of Australian agriculture. He takes pride in seeing Australian producers lead global shifts toward higher welfare standards and is committed to sharing knowledge across the industry.
The farm's dual focus on renewable energy and animal welfare demonstrates how traditional agriculture can evolve to meet contemporary expectations. With the next generation already showing interest, Edson Piggery represents both the rich history and promising future of Australian family farming.
