Calling all farmers - reduce fuel bills + GHGs

Saving thousands each year in fuel use and reducing environmental impact is a no-brainer, isn’t it? I thought so. Which is why two months ago, I found myself in a field in France watching volunteer farmers bring their tractors and machinery to be plugged in to various diagnostics to find out how efficient they are.

They were charged €100 for the privilege, but in return got critical advice which can improve their farming efficiency and effectiveness. This ranged from advice relating to what equipment should be used for what job (as opposed to one-size-[tractor with air con]-fits-all) to the replacement of an oil filter which resulted in an overall increase of 15 BHP.

And we’re now bringing the ‘Efficient20’ project to the UK.

The aim of the three-year project is to reduce fuel consumption in 300 pilot farming communities in Europe by 20%. With the support of interested and enthusiastic farmers we intend to measure the amount of fuel being used for a given farming activity. We will then offer both theoretical and practical training advice to our volunteers, with a view to improve the efficiency of their farming practices. This progress will be captured in regular intervals over the three years.

Put simply, if a small farm holding uses 10,000 litres of fuel a year, a 20% reduction could mean a £1000/year saving – if your farm is bigger you could be looking at saving tens of thousands of pounds. As well as improving business profitability, it will also bring climate change benefits through reducing the amount of CO2 produced.

We’re looking for farmers in the UK to get involved. Participating farms need to have a least one tractor, use at least 3,000 litres of fuel per year and be willing to attend four briefing/training events in either Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Cumbria or Northumberland. Funding for a small number of upgrades to fuel measuring devices will be available and there will be opportunities to meet and network with other European farmers in the same programme.

Training and advice in ways to lower your tractor fuel consumption will be available, covering areas such as:
•    ensuring engines are well maintained
•    selecting correct tyre pressures and equipment settings
•    matching the size of tractor to the type of work and machinery being used
•    adopting eco-driving techniques

You will receive support in implementing these measures and will need to commit to recording your fuel consumption throughout the project to help chart your progress.

We are already receiving a huge amount of interest in the programme and would welcome any comments or enquiries of support in any capacity. We were delighted last week that Harper Adams University College became our first Associate Member to the programme, giving them direct access and input to the project. If your organisation is interested in becoming an associate partner to the programme then please contact us directly.

Rob Mannion is Managing Director at Ruralnet Futures, who are managing the project in the UK. If you’re interested in getting involved, get in touch with us by email at efficient20@ruralnetfutures.co.uk, or phone us on 0843 357 1618.

• Read the Farmers Weekly article on Efficient20.
• Read the Farming Futures factsheet on energy efficiency.