NCGA Welcomes Web-based Tool That Compares Fuel Usage (12-22-05)

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) applauds the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) introduction of “Energy Estimator,” a Web tool designed to help farmers compare fuel usage in various tillage practices.

The tool allows producers to determine the fuel usage and costs associated with tillage methods in their Crop Management Zone in less than one minute. The Web site is available at: http://ecat.sc.egov.usda.gov/Default.aspx.

“There are some very doable strategies that farmers can employ to reduce fuel and fuel-based fertilizer,” said Bruce Knight, NRCS chief. “Our goal is to provide the information farmers need right now while they are making decisions for next year -- determining what equipment to buy, what crops to plant, what tillage system to use.”

Farmers enter their zip code and the number of acres planted for particular crops. Then, a screen lays out in a graph what the fuel consumption per acre is for four tillage practices: conventional, mulch-till, ridge-till and no-till. The graph also lists the potential fuel savings if farmers switched from conventional tillage to one of the other practices. Next, farmers are asked to enter the cost of diesel per gallon in their area. Another graph displays the costs of fuel associated with various tillage methods and the savings if farmers switched practices.

Knight said NRCS will continue improving the tool.

“This is the beginning,” he said. “We're going to build this tool. Early next year, we expect to add a module to help farmers figure out how much they could save through improved irrigation systems. A second enhancement will enable producers to predict their savings from switching from fuel-based fertilizer to manure.”

“This can be a very useful tool for producers, especially as our members are making planting decisions for next year,” said Bill Chase, chair of the NCGA Production and Stewardship Action Team. “The Web site makes it easy for growers to compare fuel and tillage costs in a quick manner.”

“There’s been an unbelievable response to the tool,” Knight said. “We’ve had 7,500 unique visits in the two weeks that it has been running.”