AMES, Iowa – Maintaining equipment, inflating tires properly and using the right tractor for the job can save farmers anywhere from 3 to 25 percent or more in fuel costs. However, farmers can save 100 percent on fuel costs when equipment stays parked in the machine shed and a trip across the field is eliminated.

A new publication from Iowa State University Extension can help farmers decide when tillage passes beyond a no-till management scheme will yield a return on investment greater that the additional fuel, labor and machinery costs. “Limiting Field Operations” (PM 2089B) is available to download from the Extension Online Store, www.extension.iastate.edu/store/.

This publication is part of a series of farm energy conservation and efficiency educational materials being developed through the Farm Energy Conservation and Efficiency educational initiative, said ISU Extension program coordinator Jane Flammang. The purpose is to increase farmers’ awareness of opportunities for improving efficient use of farm energy. The initiative also will help farmers explore alternatives to reduce farm energy demand and to improve their farms’ overall profitability in a rapidly changing energy environment.

Iowa State University Extension received a grant from the Iowa Energy Center to carry out the initiative. Extension and the Iowa Energy Center are cooperating with Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO), the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives, Consumers Energy, Alliant Energy, MidAmerican Energy, Office of Energy Independence and USDA in the effort.

For more information, go to www.extension.iastate.edu/store. See especially the topic environment – energy.

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