Cutting energy costs on the farm
A series of Energy Efficiency Workshops for dairy farmers were organised recently by the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) across the Province. The first session outlined the principles of efficient energy and was followed by a tour of a dairy unit demonstrating practical ways of making savings.
There were a number of key messages for all dairy farmers.
Check your tariff
The most effective way of lowering farm electricity costs is to maximise the use of the cheaper NightSaver Tariff. Under this tariff electricity costs 7.69 pence per kWh (unit) between 1.00 and 8.00 am in winter (2.00 and 9.00 am in summer) compared to 17.55 pence a kWh during the day. Water for washing the plant and tanks should be heated on the low cost overnight rate which can give a saving of up to £700 per year.
Check your time clocks
You should check all time clocks and controls. If a time clock is only one hour wrong on a 6 kW water heater it can cost an extra £215 per year.
It is equally vital to check the meter belonging to your electricity supplier to be sure that it is operating correctly and giving the Night Tariff at the correct time period.
Have you a suitably sized plate cooler?
Cooling the milk is generally the biggest single energy cost in the parlour. A suitably sized plate cooler saves between 30 to 40 percent of the milk cooling costs. Further savings are possible with a variable speed drive vacuum pump as it regulates the milk flow through the cooler to achieve maximum cooling.
Watch those lights
The lighting of parlours, sheds and yards can be unnecessarily expensive. Savings can be made by installing high efficiency lights and by appropriate use of timers, sensors and proximity switches.
A wide range of issues were covered during the workshops all of which can potentially reduce energy costs on the farm. CAFRE intends to organise further workshops and if you wish to attend: contact David Trimble (028) 9442 6682 or email at david.trimble@dardni.gov.uk
Discussing the maintenance of a condenser on the Munnis farm in Ballymoney during the CAFRE Energy Efficiency workshop.
