Increasing Farm Profitability Through Energy Efficiency Mike Morris National Center for Appropriate Technology

About NCAT National non-profit organization, founded in 1976 Programs: Sustainable Agriculture, Energy, Communities Butte & Missoula, MT Fayetteville, AR Davis, CA Lewis, IA

NCAT does renewable energy and energy conservation projects. Wind Solar Biofuels Green Design Home or farm energy audits Consumer information

The big picture: Where is the energy going?

U.S. food system: 15-20% of all U.S. energy consumption Home Refrigeration & Preparation 31% Agricultural Production 21% Transportation 14% Processing 16% Restaurants 7% Food Retail 4% Packaging 7% Source: Heller & Keoleian, 2000

U.S. agriculture: 1-3% of all U.S. energy consumption Fertilizer Production 29% Herbicide/Pesticide Production 6% Irrigation 7% Diesel Fuel (Non-Irrigation) 25% Gasoline 9% Natural Gas (Non-Irrigation) 1% Liquid Petroleum Gas 5% Electricity (Non-Irrigation) 18% Source: Heller & Keoleian, 2000

Energy-related expenses are about 14% of total US farm expenses. (1) U.S. farms have roughly doubled direct & indirect energy efficiency since (2) Many producers find themselves on a treadmill, with shrinking profit margins. (1) USDA Energy Policy Office, 2005; (2) Hawken, Lovins, & Lovins 1999 Big Picture (cont’d)

So why is farm energy efficiency important?

1.Some of the cheapest energy farms can harvest. 2.Some of the cleanest energy farms can harvest. 3.Some of the energy farms can harvest most quickly. 4.Crucial to farm survival and food security in times of high energy costs. 5.The responsibility of every industry, in order to reduce imported energy and greenhouse gases. Energy efficiency is…

What are some good opportunities to improve farm energy efficiency?

1. Reduce the use of fertilizer, herbicides, and pesticides Natural gas = 90% of the cost of nitrogen fertilizer production. Production costs increased from $80 per ton in 1980s to $300 per ton in Over half of nitrogen fertilizer used in the U.S. is now coming from overseas.

Strategies Cover crops and manures (green & animal). Nitrogen-fixing crop rotations. Composting and compost teas. Integrated pest management, organic farming. Non-energy benefits Human health Water quality Wildlife health Soil health

2. Reduce tillage to reduce fuel use Conservation tillage, no-till, reduced tillage Non-energy benefits Reduced soil erosion Increased organic matter Optimizes soil moisture Improves water quality

3. Reduce “food miles” Dramatic increases in truck transport (vs. more energy efficient rail or water) since Produce in the US travels, on average, 1300 – 2000 miles from farm to consumer.

Community supported agriculture (CSA) Farmer’s markets Farm-to-school Strategies: local food systems Non-energy benefits Fresher, better-tasting, more nutritious food Higher profits for producers Money stays in rural communities

4. Improve irrigation efficiency Non-energy benefits Water conservation Improved crop yields

Strategies Energy audits and equipment improvements

Strategies (cont’d) Educational publications

Strategies (cont’d) Soil moisture monitoring The M. K. Hansen AM400 Soil Moisture Data Logger

Soil moisture monitoring (cont’d)

Where can I get more help?

NCAT’s ATTRA Project: The National Sustainable Ag Information Service >200 free publications Funded by USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service Free customize research

Farm energy: efficiency and renewable energy Pest management Organic farming Soils and compost Water management Livestock Marketing, business, and risk management Challenge us! ATTRA offers expertise & FREE research on

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