The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1985-10-09, Page 39Frage 4, Energy Conservation Guide Every year Canadian farms produce more food; the challenge is to do so while consuming less energy. Last year Cana- dian farmers put food on our table and at the same time exported $9.5 billion v worth of products. In 1981 farmers spent $1.2 billion on energy. With rising energy prices, energy - accounts for an increasing part of farm overhead. Cutting energy costs is crit- ical to our continued com- e petitiveness and is one area where real gains can be made. Research is reveal- ing new practices that can reduce energy yse, and confirming the value of many existing practices farmers are using to lower DRAUG;TFREEINSTgLL NEW WINDOWS BEFORE WINTER Choose from ALCAN or WATCO quality windows and storm doors. Combination i Horizontal slider Double hung tilt * No costly interior or exterior renovations required No storms necessary "Windows are on display in our showroom". Come in and see us and receive "Estimates without any obligation" R U TTA N Aluminum & Vinyl Just off Hwy. 86, east of Wingham 357-1077 • ALCAN Keep warm this winter with KEROSENE by METERED PUMP from ynn Hoy Enterprises We carry wicks & parts for most heaters. TOP QUALITY WARM WINTER CLOTHING BARGAINS '56.50 YOUTHS $45.50 KIDS LYNN HOY ENTERPRISES LTD. Hwy. 86 E. Wingham Phone 357-3435 4-��7 their energy bills. The Saskatchewan government and Energy, Mines and Resources Canada set up a farm energy management pro- gram in 1981 to study 21 Saskatchewan farms. A wide range of types and sizes of farms was chosen throughout the province Farmers were asked monitor all energy us: in the farmhouse, the .. rns .and on the land. Meters were . ut on all gasoline and .' esel fuel storage tanksog books were kept to r cord quan- tities consumed, equip- ment used, and the job performed at each refuel- ing. The amount of heating fuel and electric- ity used was calculated from invoices. Fuel use was divided into three categories: • production — hauling fertilizer, harvesting and hauling crops, grinding feed, handling and haul- ing manure, clearing land, picking rocks; • transportation o— fuel used for cars and trucks; and • other — fuel used for such equipment as gar- den tractors, snow- mobiles, lawnmowers, all -terrain vehicles. A research team of engineers, agricultural tHe far economists and energy analysts worked with each farmer to assess the infor- mation and come up with w,ys to cut costs and ncrease crop yields. The solutions are not new or magical, just sensible. Using the appropri- ate machine for any given job yields real energy sav- ings. Machines perform most efficiently when they are cleaned and tuned properly. They can be used more efficiently if the depth of tillage is reduced, if field working patterns are improved, and if the land is simply tilled less frequently. Less tilling has the side benefit of reduc- ing moisture loss and soil erosion. The same•p.rinciples apply to multi -use vehi- cles. The half -ton pickup is not appropriate for small shopping expedi- tions. Keeping all vehicles properly tuned and tires at the maximum recom- mended pressure improves fuel economy. Timers allow engine block heaters to be used for two or three hours in the morning rather than all night. At harvest time, the energy -conserving farmer leaves strips of tall stubble to hold the snow on the field; this improves the soil's moisture content and crop yield. Nitrogen fertilizers, produced by using large quantities of natural gas, are expensive. Many farm- ers rotate legumes with other crops, adding sig- nificant amounts of nitro- gen and organic matter to the soil. This practice, known as green manuring, can reduce the use of nitrogen fertilizer. New machinery is being developed to cut costs. Narrower cultivator tines move more easily through the soil, requir- ing less energy and creat- ing less wear on the equipment. Just like other home- owners, farm families are saving energy by turning down the thermostat, maintaining their heating systems, lowering the tem- perature setting on the hot water heater, using less hot water, turning off unnec- essary lights, reinsulating, sealing cracks. Wind- breaks can be planted to shelter the home and farm buildings.. In the barns, the farmer can make sure the heating and ventilation systems are not compet- ing. Thermostats, fans ,• and motors must be kept weatherstripping anc•i clean if they are to fu,4 tion efficiently. Lig-Min can be reduced. What better way to CONSERVE ENERGY Than to keep your car properly tuned and working at peak efficiency. We carry a Targe inventory of quality parts for your car's tune-up. We have modern equipment and a trained staff to do the job right. CALL TODAY For an appointment for a professional tune-up ask for Ron at 357-1416 Fred McGee Specialized Auto Electric Ltd. Specialized Automotive Electrical Service and Supplies Wingham NOG 2W0 Sales backed by service — Phone 357-1416 MasterCard. 1111111411. VISA i