Energy efficient farming makes good sense

Energy efficient farming is as much about conservation as it is good business sense, according to Fieldays organisers who are currently planning the Premier Feature for 2004.

The Premier Feature for Fieldays 2004 is “Energy Efficient Farming – sustainable benefits”.

The theme has been chosen to demonstrate how farmers can improve their profitability by using energy more efficiently in their farming business, according to Fieldays General Manager Barry Quayle.

“Farming is a planned business with annual and long-term goals and activities - and farm decisions are based on market and consumer demands, just as in any business,” he says.

The Energy Efficient Farming premier feature will include everything from machinery, technology and processes through to methods for farmers to generate their own energy resources to help them become self-sufficient.

It’s also about reducing “human effort”, fuel and electricity consumption. Expect to see alternative small-scale methods of providing electricity for farming requirements, such as solar energy, wind power and hydro power.

Which is why it may come as no surprise to some that Genesis Energy is the feature’s major sponsor.

Genesis Energy’s General Manager Retail Vince Hawksworth says Genesis saw the Energy Efficiency Farming theme as an opportunity to support energy efficient practices on the farm.

“Not only does energy efficiency benefit the environment, it makes good business sense when you can improve your productivity and save on your power bills. Genesis will be providing information about managing power consumption on the farm, and we look forward to seeing other energy efficient initiatives on display at the event.”

Other exhibits at the Fieldays premier feature are likely to include alternative small-scale methods of producing liquid and gaseous fuels such as alcohol, methane and hydrogen for use in an agricultural environment. Also expect to see innovation, developments and improvements in energy intensive processes – such as applications for production of fertilisers, top dressing and cultivation.

The Energy Efficient Farming feature is presented in association with Genesis Energy, one of New Zealand’s largest electricity and gas retailers.

The 2004 New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays is at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton from June 16-19.

© Scoop Media