Key Points fro report of direct energy consumption

AN ENERGY efficiency audit of the new overhead irrigation system on Adam McVeigh's Darling Downs farm in southern Queensland has set him on the path to reducing emissions and making big savings in energy costs.

Irrigated cotton growers stand to make substantial savings in fuel and greenhouse gas emissions in tractor operations if appropriate tractor engine and ground speeds are used and tillage depth is kept to the shallowes

The process of improving on farm energy use includes an energy assessment which benchmarks and establishes energy saving opportunities. The concept involves 3 types / levels of assessment.

Water in open channels is subject to high evaporative losses. Some 701 gigalitres of

water is lost annually through evaporation from channels in Northern Victoria.