Reduced diesel consumption

Diesel consumption on the farm comes from driving tractors or combines. In addition, it can be used for heating, but we are not looking at that here. Biodiesel is an alternative, but the price has so far been too high.

Economical driving

Several trials have shown that a significant reduction in diesel consumption can be achieved by conscious economic driving. Many have reduced consumption with the 15-20% just by driving smart.

Electric fertilizer pump

Here, one is thinking of replacing stirring or pumping out fertilizer with a tractor with an electric pump. Saves diesel, but uses electricity instead. Perhaps there are other stationary work operations with a tractor that can be replaced with electric alternatives? At Mære agricultural school, we have measured that we use 2,000 liters of diesel to pump fertiliser. If we switch to an electric pump, we will have saved this, but we need 7,000 kWh more electricity. A prerequisite for making this change is that there is a power supply with a large enough fuse where the pump must be.

Switch to biodiesel

Same consumption (replaces 100%) This gives much lower CO₂ footprint, but is considerably more expensive than regular diesel. Here there is great discussion about how CO₂- the effect is. And not least how the production of biofuel affects the environment if, for example, it comes from palm oil or soy.