Typical fuel costs for field cultivation on a 200ha arable enterprise are £10,000 per year (2010)
How can I minimise energy demands?
- Can minimum cultivation techniques be used?
- Have you considered growing energy crops?
- Have you considered changing to lower input crops?
- Is each cultivation operation really necessary?
- Do you avoid cultivating in adverse conditions?
- Have you reviewed equipment efficiency?
- Are tractor tyres the correct size and operating pressure?
Minimising the energy required for crop drying and storage
Crop drying and storage is the largest single item of direct fuel usage in cereal production. A high temperature drier will consume 55 litres of fuel oil for each hectare of crop that is harvested (2010).
- Is harvesting managed to minimise additional drying?
- Is grain dried in bulk with high volumes of air?
- Is steady progressive operation maintained in your high temperature drying system?
- Do you keep a record of your energy use?
- Is your drier cross flow with recirculation?
- Do you have a mixed flow drier?
- Are you sure moistures are measured accurately
- Is burner maintenance carried out?
- Has humidity control been checked and improved if necessary?
For more information on how to save on fuel bills and look at ways of cultivating and driving more efficiently click here.
Source: Managing Energy and Carbon The farmer’s guide to energy audits, ADAS