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Conservation Practices Contribute to Energy Efficiency and Fuel Savings

Energy LogoFarmers 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.

Conservation Energy Estimators

Animal housing banner. NRCS image.

Use online "energy estimator" tools to make energy-efficient conservation practice decisions.

Energy Estimator: Animal Housing New!

Energy Estimator: Irrigation

>Energy Estimator: Nitrogen

 Energy Estimator: Tillage

All NRCS Energy Estimator Tools

Ag Propane Cost Estimator (AgWeb.com)

Conservation Practices that Save
Feature Articles

  • Energy Conservation in Confined Animal Operations New!
  • Prescribed Grazing Systems
  • Windbreaks/Shelterbelts
  • Integrated Pest Management
  • Precision Agriculture
  • Irrigation Water Management
  • Nutrient Management
  • Crop Residue Management
     

    It All Adds Up to Significant National Energy Savings

  • 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.

  • Converting irrigation systems from medium or high pressure to low pressure could cut energy costs by up to $100 million annually.

  • Improving water efficiency by just 10 percent could reduce diesel consumption by 27 million gallons and save farmers and ranchers $55 million annually.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Reducing application overlap on 250 million acres of cropland could save up to $825 million in fertilizer and pesticide costs annually.

Audio and Video

News Releases, Fact Sheets
USDA news release: "USDA's New Web-Based Awareness Tool Estimates Energy Use for Animal Housing"> (November 15, 2006)
USDA news release "USDA Releases Web-based Irrigation Calculator Tool As Part Of Overall Energy Strategy" (June 12, 2006)

USDA news release: “Johanns Announces Nitrogen Fertilizer Tool As Part of Energy Strategy” (Feb. 24, 2006)

USDA news release: “USDA Announces Energy Initiative to Help Farmers and Ranchers with High Energy Costs” (Dec. 7, 2005). en Español

USDA Energy Fact Sheet
en Español

USDA Energy Web Page

Transcript: Tele-News Conference On Energy Issues With Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns

Additional Resources

Helping People Help the Land