In Montana crop and livestock production involve 

 two-thirds of the state's land area, but only consume 4.4 

 percent of the state's energy (MHD 1977). Thus, the total 

 impact of energy conservation in Montana's agricultural 

 sector will be minimal. However, the benefits to 

 agriculturalists in decreased costs from energy conserva- 

 tion make the effort worthwhile to the producer. 



The reasons for increased agricultural energy con- 

 sumption and costs are: higher labor costs, increased farm 

 size, more use of marginal lands, and increased demand 

 for energy-intensive crops by a growing population. Also 

 causing increased energy consumption are declines in 

 crop diversity, soil fertility, and quality of soil structure. 



A suggested energy savings strategy would involve the 

 following elements. Fertilizer and pesticides consume 44 

 percent of the energy used in Montana's agriculture— syn- 

 thetic fertilizer use could be reduced by use of legumes 

 for fertilizer in summer fallow areas, and use of manure 

 where readily available. Field research could determine 

 other methods of using fertilizer for energy savings (soil 

 and plant tissue testing, synthetic and nonsynthetic nitrify- 

 ing inhibitors, spring fertilizer application, biological con- 

 trols, and natural processors). Field operations consume 

 23.3 percent of Montana's agricultural energy, and farm 

 vehicles consume 22.8 percent. Efficient transportation 

 patterns can be established by analyzing the marketing 

 distribution of specific crops. Rail transportation can be 

 used more and farm deliveries can be synchronized with 

 farm shipments to save trips. Also, using machinery that is 

 precisely scaled to the job, running at efficient speeds, 

 and properly maintained, could reduce fuel consumption 

 by 10 percent in Montana. Research is needed on other 

 methods to reduce energy consumption by farm vehicles 

 and field operations. These methods include appropriate 

 coupling of machineries, spring plowing, and reduced till 

 or no-till operations. Other farm operations consume 9.5 

 percent of the total agricultural energy used. These ac- 

 tivities include: irrigation, crop drying, milking and milk 

 cooling, heating, cooling, and ventilation of animal 

 shelters, and water heating (see Irrigation Water Manage- 

 ment section). 



It will be necessary to develop ecologically sound and 

 energy sufficient farms to reduce long-range costs. Ap- 

 propriately scaled farms can grow a mixture of livestock 

 and crops adapted to local soil and climactic conditions. 

 In addition local industries can be developed to use non- 

 forage crops. Low energy farm activities lend themselves 

 to wind, solar, geothermal, and biogas applications. 

 Alcohol is a source of renewable energy that uses wheat 

 and corn; however, a balance will have to be maintained 

 betwen alcohol production and food and fiber produc- 

 tion. 



Concerns 



Agriculturalists are experiencing increasing 

 costs mainly due to increased dependence on high 

 priced fossil fuels. In order to assure continued 

 food and fiber production agricultural systems 

 must decrease their dependence on the shrinking 

 supplies of fossil fuels and develop more energy ef- 

 ficient operations. 



Objectives 



A) To increase the use of renewable energy 

 in agricultural production. The CDD will en- 

 courage CDs to find cooperators interested in 

 developing small-scale, decentralized energy pro- 

 duction projects. Emphasis will be placed on pro- 

 jects that convert pump systems to gravity irriga- 

 tion systems. The cooperator or CD with such a 

 proposed project can apply for a grant from the 

 Alternative Renewable Energy Sources Program of 

 the Energy Division of DNRC. See Part B, Objec- 

 tive 27, of the Work Plan. 



Rationale: Incentives are needed to make a 

 transition in agriculture from nonrenewable to 

 renewable energy sources. These projects can also 

 serve as demonstrations of innovative renewable 

 energy applications. 



B) To further research on the application of 

 energy conservation in Montana agricultural pro- 

 duction. The CDD will encourage the Montana 

 Agricultural Experiment Station to carry out 

 research in agricultural energy conservation and 

 work towards application of such research. See 

 Part B, Objective 28, in the Work Plan. 



Rationale: Montana needs agricultural 

 energy conservation technology. 



C) To decrease costs of agricultural produc- 

 tion the CDD will encourage the CDs and SCS to 

 design conservation plans to reduce long range 

 costs by lowering consumption of synthetic fer- 

 tilizers and fossil fuels. See Part B, Objective 29 in 

 the Work Plan. 



Rationale: Purchase of synthetic fertilizers 

 and fossil fuels is the principal expense to 

 agriculturalists. Conservation plans can be design- 

 ed to conserve or find alternate sources of fer- 

 tilizers and fuels. This would be a direct benefit to 

 the producer and a benefit to the public. 



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