Conservation and alternative energy sources: the answer to agriculture's energy problems

Journal Article · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · Econ. Rev.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6106903

Webb, K; Duncan, M

Increased energy consumption through the use of chemicals and machinery during this century has resulted in extensive gains in farm output and productivity. As a result, millions of people have been released for employment in other sectors, and food prices have been maintained at substantially lower levels than would be possible without energy-intensive farming. With rising farm energy prices and the threat of fuel shortages, the necessity for conservation and supply alternatives becomes apparent. This article, therefore, examines conservation methods that farmers can presently apply to save both energy and money, such as efficient use of fertilizers, irrigation, and minimum tillage. The potential for using sunshine and wind as farm energy sources for needs such as crop drying and water pumping is also discussed. Finally, the development and economics feasibility of biomass energy supplies (grain and organic wastes) to produce gasohol and methane gas are examined. (SAC)

• Research Organization: Federal Research Bank of Kansas City, MO
• OSTI ID: 6106903
• Journal Information: Econ. Rev.; (United States), Journal Name: Econ. Rev.; (United States) Vol. 64:5; ISSN ERKCD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140905
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
291000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Conservation
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320300* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes
AGRICULTURAL WASTES
AGRICULTURE
ALCOHOLS
ALKANES
BIOMASS
CROPS
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES
DRYING
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY SOURCES
ETHANOL
FERTILIZERS
FLUIDS
GASOHOL PROGRAM
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
MANURES
METHANE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC WASTES
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SOLAR DRYING
SOLID WASTES
WASTES