Official Nebraska Government Website

Getting the Most from Your Energy Dollar...

Using Energy Wisely on the Farm and Ranch

There’s no avoiding this reality in farming: Direct energy* accounts for about four percent of farm expenditures; indirect energy accounts for about six percent. Because small farms operate on profit margins well under 10 percent, efficiency measures that reduce energy costs can make a real impact.
*Direct energy consumption includes the use of diesel, electricity, propane, natural gas, and renewable fuels for activities on the farm. Indirect energy consumption includes the use of fuel and feedstock (especially natural gas) in the manufacturing of agricultural chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides.

Agricultural Energy Efficiency

Midwest Rural Energy Council (MREC) members have been helping farmers and ranchers to improve energy efficiency for over 50 years. Follow the link below to learn about energy saving technologies in agricultural production and food processing facilities.

There are six sections of MREC resources: General Issues in Agricultural Energy Efficiency, Ventilation, Grain Drying, Lighting, Greenhouse Energy Use and Other.

Farm Efficiency Ideas That Work

Information on farm and ranch energy efficiency has been collected from seven midwestern universitities including contributions from the University of Nebraska.