MU Extension > Energy Programs > Energy and your farm

Energy and your farm

Although farms consume a fairly small amount of the total energy in the United States, farmers can benefit from energy conservation and looking at alternative fuels. Energy costs on the farm account for a considerable portion of the total costs of production. Bio fuels provide income opportunities for farmers in producing crops for energy.

• MAESTRO is an energy audit program for livestock farms below the CAFO permitting level. Energy audits and low-interest loans are available through the program.
• MAESTRO program turns keen eye to energy usage on farms to trim costs. Watch the video.
•  When do farmers need energy audits for their farms?
  • Energy Audit Checklists for Various Types of Farm Applications:  These were developed through the MAESTRO program.  They serve as a guide for things that will provide the most opportunity for energy savings.
    • Beef Checklist
    • Dairy Checklist
    • Poultry Broiler Checklist
    • Poultry Layer Checklist
    • Swine Checklist
    • Farm Shop Checklist

MU Extension energy-related publications for agriculture

• G1971, Active Solar Collectors for Farm Buildings
• G1972, Saving Energy With Passive Systems.
• G1881, Generating Methane Gas from Livestock Manure
• G1981,Wind Energy in Missouri
• G1990, Biodiesel Fuel
• G1991, Biodiesel Blends for Fueling Diesel Engines
• MWPS23, Solar Livestock Housing Handbook
• NRAES3, Energy Conservation for Commercial Greenhouses

Energy-related agriculture publications from other sources

• BioEnergy, Purdue Univerity
• Farmstead Energy Audit, North Dakota State University(PDF)
• Renewable Energy, National Agriculture Law Center
• Clean Energy Farming, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
• Farm Energy Alternatives, National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
• Farm Energy Options, National Agriculture Library
• Farm Energy Initiatives, Iowa State University