Energy Resources Enhancement Activities

• New Jersey Energy Resources Overview
• Energy Audit of Agricultural Operations
• Use of Manures or Legumes for Nutrients
• Reduced Tillage Operations
• Renewable Energy Fuel Use
• Renewable Energy Generation
• Energy Use Reduction

Energy Management Enhancement Activities Overview

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New Jersey Energy Management Enhancement Activities (211 kb)

The Conservation Security Program (CSP) offers a limited number of enhancement payments as incentives to reward or encourage on-farm energy conservation and management.

Benefits

These activities will provide documented reductions in energy use by:

• reducing the energy required to produce or use farm inputs such as fertilizer
• reducing overall farm energy use

CSP Payments

A participant can earn payments by initiating or maintaining any of the following activities:

• Perform a complete energy audit of the farming activities.
• Recycle all used motor oil used for tractors and lubricating oil used for other farm equipment such as irrigation pumps or grain drying motors.
• Use annual or perennial legumes in the crop rotation to reduce nitrogen needs.
• Use manure to supply at least 90% of the nutrients needs of the crops.
• Reduce tillage intensity to improve the Soil Tillage Intensity Rating.
• Use renewable energy fuel (biodiesel or ethanol).
• Generate renewable energy for on-farm use (solar, wind, methane, etc.)
• Reduce overall energy use on the farm.

Client’s Acknowledgement Statement

I have elected to use the following Energy Management activities and understand the requirements of the selected activities (Check all that apply):

 Perform a complete energy audit of the farming activities. (NJEnergy01)
 Recycle all used motor oil used for tractors and lubricating oil used for other farm equipment such as irrigation pumps or grain drying motors. (NJEnergy02)
 Use annual legumes in the crop rotation to reduce nitrogen needs. (NJEnergy03)
 Use perennial legumes in the crop rotation to reduce nitrogen needs. (NJEnergy03)
 Use manure to supply at least 90% of the nutrients needs of the crops. (NJEnergy03)
 Reduce tillage intensity to improve the Soil Tillage Intensity Rating. (NJEnergy04)
 Use renewable energy fuel (biodiesel or ethanol). (NJEnergy05)
 Generate renewable energy for on-farm use (solar, wind, methane, etc.) (NJEnergy06)
 Reduce overall energy use on the farm. (NJEnergy07)


I agree that the following information will be provided to NRCS upon request:
• Written documentation of the activity performed (use attached worksheets or equivalent)
• Copies of dated receipts for equipment or services purchased

I understand that CSP Enhancements earnings are subject to payment caps and that my actual payments will depend on my CSP Tier level, the land area affected and the number of activities performed.

I understand that it is my responsibility to obtain all necessary permits and to comply with all laws, regulations and ordinances pertaining to the application of these activities.
 

Energy Audit of Agricultural Operations

Agriculture faces rising costs for energy, regardless of whether the energy is embedded, photosynthetic, or direct. CSP encourages farmers to review how they use energy in their operations and look for ways to reduce costs, improve energy efficiency, and reduce impacts on the environment.

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Energy Audit of Agricultural Operations (35 kb)

Use of Manures or Legumes for Nutrients

Nitrogen used in crop production is applied in large quantities to supplement soil supplies. Nitrogen typically is supplied to crops as ammonium nitrate, diammonium phosphate (DAP), ammonium sulfate, cal-nitro (ammonium nitrate + limestone) or other inorganic form.

The amount of energy needed to produce the nitrogen portion of the fertilizers is massive, almost 18,000 kilocalories of energy per one kilogram of nitrogen, and requires large quantities of fossil fuels. There is a clear opportunity to save energy by reducing unneeded nitrogen applications. Nitrogen can be produced on-site by cover crops and legume crops, and by utilizing other readily available organic sources of nutrients (such as manures) as fertilizer for crops in rotation. The producer must closely evaluate the requirements for each crop rotation, soil, and climate.

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Use of Manures or Legumes for Nutrients (35 kb)

Reduced Tillage Operations

Soil Tillage Intensity Rating (STIR) is a calculation performed by NRCS. It is based on the soil type and the crop management system used by the producer. It is an index, between 1 and 100, used to evaluate the effect of ground-disturbing tillage passes on soil quality. Higher numbers indicate greater disturbance; lower numbers indicate less disturbance.

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Reduced Tillage Operations (90 kb)

Renewable Energy Fuel Use

Renewable fuel is defined as “fuel grade ethanol and biodiesel.” USDA supports the conversion and use of biomass (plant-derived material) as an important energy resource for on-farm use to reduce dependence on petroleum-based fuels. At this time, biomass and its fuel derivatives represent the only renewable alternative for liquid transportation fuel. Using renewable energy fuels can eliminate the use of toxic fuel additives, such as MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether); reduce air and water pollution; and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

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Renewable Energy Fuel Use (98 kb)

Renewable Energy Generation

Cost-conscious and conservation-minded farmers have become increasingly aware of the impact that energy has on their ability to sustain their operations. The rising cost of electricity alone can determine whether some farmers are able to stay in business, especially dairy farmers and operations that rely on pumping irrigation water.

Farmers can add energy generation to their operations, gaining efficiency and creating significant savings. For many farmers, solar, wind, biogas (methane generation), and, in some instances, geothermal or hydropower energy, can be generated and used on the farm to conserve energy and increase energy independence.

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Renewable Energy Generation (40 kb)

Energy Use Reduction

Energy consumption in agriculture grew steadily during the 1960s and 1970s, peaking in 1978, due to increased mechanization, use of confinement housing and expanding farm size. High energy prices during the 1970s and 1990s caused farmers to find ways to reduce their energy costs—agricultural consumption was reduced by 41 percent from 1978 to 1998. This was primarily accomplished by reducing energy use or taking actions to use energy more efficiently while still achieving the same outcome.

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Energy Use Reduction (65 kb)

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Last Modified: May 27, 2008