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Energy Consumption on a Dairy Farm as a Function of Technology and Size¹

Research Station Agriculture, Canada Frederiction, Frederiction, New Brunswick

ABSTRACT

The cost of milk production in terms of energy consumption is estimated by an input-output computerized model. The trade-offs in the mass energy and monetary costs associated with various capacities were determined. Economies of size to all production variables were found with the exception of fossil fuel. The increase in average fossil fuel over output size results from the increased use of fuel for transportation. Analysis of the effect of free stall barn type, waste storage type, and forage storage type indicated that average costs were lowest, in terms of the economic and energy variables, with an open lot and solid waste system and highest with the warm-enclosed free stall barn and liquid waste systems.

¹ This research was conducted at Michigan State University through the cooperation of the Departments of Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Economics, and Electrical Engineering and Systems Science. The research was financed partially by a grant from NSF/RANN and was part of a project titled "Ecosystem Design and Management."