Energy
Farm Energy Efficiency
Conservation Practices Contribute to Energy Efficiency and Fuel Savings
Farmers and ranchers can cut input costs, maintain production, protect soil and water resources, reduce the nation's dependence on fossil fuels, and save money by using the conservation practices described on this web site. Check with your local NRCS office to find out about your area's options.
USDA will continue to support conservation practices that save producers money and improve the environmental health of the nation.
As we become more informed and focused on the need to conserve, and use energy in a more productive way, see just a few of the techniques and practices NRCS customers and partners are using. Read the Energy Success Stories.
Conservation Energy Estimators
To make energy-efficient conservation practice decisions, use NRCS Energy Estimator Tools.
Energy Estimator: Animal Housing Energy Estimator: Irrigation
Energy Estimator: Nitrogen Energy Estimator: Tillage
Conservation Practices that Save - Features Articles
Energy Conservation in Confined Animal Operations
Prescribed Grazing Systems
Windbreaks/Shelterbelts
Integrated Pest Management
Precision Agriculture
Irrigation Water Management
Nutrient Management
Crop Residue Management
It All Adds Up to Significant Energy Savings
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Producers with animal feeding operations can save up to 250 million annually nationwide by regularly maintaining their ventilation and heating systems and using more energy-efficient fixtures and equipment for animal housing.
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Converting irrigation systems from medium or high pressure to low pressure could cut energy costs by up to $100 million annually.
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Improving water efficiency by just 10 percent could reduce diesel consumption by 27 million gallons and save farmers and ranchers $55 million annually.
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Doubling the amount of no-till acreage (from 62 million acres to 124 million acres) could save farmers and ranchers an additional 217 million gallons of diesel fuel per year, valued at about $500 million annually.
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Doubling the application of manure-based nitrogen to replace fertilizer produced from natural gas could save $825 million and 100 billion of cubic feet of natural gas annually.
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Reducing application overlap on 250 million acres of cropland could save up to $825 million in fertilizer and pesticide costs annually.
