| " -- The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has developed four web-based energy tools designed to increase energy awareness in agriculture and to help farmers identify where they can reduce their energy costs. The results generated by these tools are estimates based on NRCS models and are illustrative of the magnitude of savings. The four estimators address energy costs and usage for animal housing, tillage, nitrogen fertilizer and irrigation. These tools were developed as part of USDA?s overall energy strategy to reduce the impacts of high energy costs and to help develop long-term solutions for producers. " "Producers and NRCS field staff have used the estimators successfully to predict potential energy savings. Farmers can cut input costs, maintain production, protect soil and water resources, reduce the nation?s dependence on fossil fuels, and save money by using the conservation practices described on the USDA web site (http://www.usda.gov/energytools). NRCS estimates that producers with animal feeding operations can save up to $250 million annually nationwide by regularly maintaining their ventilation and heating systems and using more energy-efficient fixtures and equipment. An individual producer may realize up to 50 percent savings in energy use by maintaining their ventilation and heating equipment regularly. " "The Energy Estimator for Nitrogen tool enables producers to calculate the potential cost-savings related to nitrogen use on their farm. NRCS agronomists developed this model to integrate general technical information on nitrogen use with farm-specific information on fertilizer types, costs, timing, and placement. " "The Energy Estimator for Tillage tool estimates diesel fuel use and costs in the production of key crops in your area and compares potential energy savings between conventional tillage and alternative tillage systems. The crops covered are limited to the most predominant crops in 74 Crop Management Zones (CMZ's). NRCS agronomists have identified these crops and estimated the fuel use associated with common tillage systems. The Energy Estimator gives farmers an idea of the magnitude of diesel fuel savings under different levels of tillage. " "The Energy Estimator for Irrigation tool enables farmers to estimate potential energy savings associated with pumping water for irrigation. NRCS technical specialists developed this model to integrate general technical information with farm-specific crops, energy prices, and pumping requirements. " "The newest web-based energy awareness tool designed to help agricultural producers reduce energy costs is the "Energy Estimator for Animal Housing" (http://ahat.sc.egov.usda.gov). The Energy Estimator for Animal Housing tool has three components-poultry, swine and dairy-that operate independently. The swine component allows the producer to evaluate heating, lighting and ventilation for three production stages-farrowing
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