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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #203129
Title: Fuel Conservation Strategies for the Farm

Author
item FULTON, J - ALABAMA AGRI. EXP. STA.
item Raper, Randy
item MCDONALD, T - ALABAMA AGRI. EXP. STA.
item TYSON, T - ALABAMA AGRI. EXP. STA.

Submitted to: Extension Publications
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/2006
Publication Date: 12/1/2006
Citation: Fulton, J., Raper, R.L., Mcdonald, T., Tyson, T. 2006. Fuel Conservation Strategies for the Farm. Alabama Cooperative Extension System Publication ANR-1303.

Interpretive Summary: As fuel prices have climbed, agricultural producers are increasingly searching for methods of decreasing their fuel usage. Several management strategies are covered in this article which seeks to minimize fuel usage for production agricultural systems. Producers who adopt ideas that include reducing excess weight on equipment, inflating tires to appropriate pressures, avoiding soil compaction by not trafficking wet fields, using site-specific tillage, and adopting conservation agricultural systems can dramatically reduce their need for fuel and minimize production costs.

Technical Abstract: Recent increases in fuel prices have generated another cost concern for farmers. Fuel is one of several input costs that have continued to increase over the years with fuel prices taking a dramatic price jump over a short time period. While input costs continue to rise, commodity prices tend to be stable, prompting farmers to reduce costs, if possible, to maintain profit margins. Therefore, fuel usage is one area that farmers can focus on to preserve their economic return. Farmers can consider several management strategies or ideas for conserving fuel on the farm. The suggestions presented could lead to a reduction in fuel use, and, more importantly, an increase in on-farm savings. The management strategies are presented in three sections. The first section provides suggestions for all equipment and vehicles. The second focuses on tractors and other large equipment. The third section provides suggestions for other on-farm vehicles, primarily light- and heavy-duty trucks.