JBS Pork Australia - Corowa Mod 1, 2 & Abattoir Biogas project

JBS Pork Australia - Corowa Mod 1, 2 & Abattoir Biogas project is an Animal Effluent Management project located at the extensive JBS Pork (formerly Rivalea) processing facility in Corowa, New South Wales. The site sits on the banks of the Murray River in the Riverina region, approximately 60km west of Albury-Wodonga and 250km north-east of Melbourne. Registered in December 2025, the project targets the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from one of the largest pork production and processing sites in the Southern Hemisphere.

The project operates under the Animal Effluent Management methodology, which credits the capture and destruction of methane generated by decomposing animal manure. Standard requirements for such projects involve covering anaerobic effluent ponds or installing engineered digesters to trap biogas (methane). This captured gas is then combusted, either flaring it to convert methane into less potent carbon dioxide or using it to generate renewable electricity and heat for the facility. This specific project appears to focus on "Mod 1, 2" (likely specific farming modules or pond systems) and the abattoir's waste stream, expanding on previous biogas initiatives at the site.

The Corowa region is a significant agricultural hub characterized by mixed farming, including cropping (wheat, canola, barley) and livestock grazing. The area experiences a temperate climate with a long-term average rainfall of approximately 540mm. The landscape is dominated by Red Chromosols, duplex soils featuring a sandy loam topsoil overlying a clay subsoil, which are productive but require careful management to prevent acidification.

This project is part of a broader sustainability strategy by JBS Australia, following their 2022 acquisition of Rivalea. Recent corporate reports highlight a $400 million investment across JBS Pork operations, with the Corowa facility already utilizing biogas to generate a significant portion of its onsite electricity. The site processes hundreds of thousands of pigs annually, making efficient waste-to-energy systems critical for both operational costs and environmental impact.