01.09.2007

A Web-based energy awareness tool designed to help agricultural producers reduce energy costs related to animal housing has been made available by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The “Energy Estimator for Animal Housing” evaluates the energy use and costs associated with heating, lighting and ventilating poultry housing. This is the fourth energy estimator tool USDA has developed as part of its overall energy strategy to reduce the impacts of high energy costs and to help develop long-term solutions for producers.
USDA believes this tool can result in significant energy and cost savings for producers if they take the appropriate actions.
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, according to USDA.
For poultry producers, the Web-based “Energy Estimator for Animal Housing” provides ventilation, lighting and heating information for the entire broiler house.
Once the required information has been entered, the animal housing energy awareness tool provides an analysis of estimated energy use and costs associated with various energy management options.
The analysis also identifies potential energy savings that can result from carrying out certain recommendations.
USDA says producers should use the “Energy Estimator for Animal Housing” for guidance rather than as a sole source for decision-making on energy matters related to animal housing. This tool evaluates alternatives based on producer input, but does not offer site-specific recommendations. It also does not estimate the cost of implementing recommended practices.
Additional information about USDA’s “Energy Estimator for Animal Housing” can be found at http://ahat.sc.egov.usda.gov.
Dr. Gary Van Wicklen with the University of Delaware also offers individual poultry farm analyses and can be reached at 302-856-7303.

Courtesy of the Delmarva Poultry Industry Inc.