Thanks to the application of innovative tools and irrigation initiatives developed at its showcase barley farms in Idaho and Colorado, MillerCoors recently announced that it managed to cut its water consumption by 15 billion gallons in 2016 — or the equivalent of more 500 million kegs of beer. The recently released data represents a 16.9 percent decrease from 2015, which was itself a landmark year in water reduction for MillerCoors.
The brewer researches and develops its water conservation techniques at showcase barley farms, and the innovations gathered in those locations are then shared through its barley program. The aim is to reduce water consumption as much as possible while still adhering to MillerCoors' high barley standards. Part of this sharing process includes the newly released Grower Portal, "a digital platform for information gathering to further enhance water savings and eventually lead to data sharing among growers," according to MillerCoors.
What's Driving This Trend
- Water-efficient Farming
- Innovative tools and irrigation initiatives for water conservation can be applied to various crops in different industries, reducing water usage and costs.
- Showcase Farms
- Creating showcase farms as research and development hubs for disruptive water-saving and agricultural innovations can drive industry-wide change.
- Digital Platforms for Data Sharing
- Developing digital platforms for information gathering and data sharing among growers can optimize water consumption and improve sustainability across industries.
Who This Affects Most
- Brewing and Beverages
- Applying MillerCoors' water-saving techniques and innovations can reduce water consumption and improve sustainability in the brewing and beverages industry.
- Agriculture and Farming
- Adopting water-efficient techniques developed in showcase barley farms can reduce water usage and costs for various crops and make sustainable farming practices more accessible.
- Tech and Software
- Developing digital platforms for information gathering and data sharing can drive innovation and improve sustainability in various industries beyond agriculture and brewing.
