Energy efficiency of farming systems: Organic and conventional agriculture

Pimentel, David; Berardi, Gigi; Fast, S.

doi:10.1016/0167-8809(83)90021-x

Cited by 124 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…A US study, however, reported more positive results for organic production, at -20 to -13 of conventional [79]. Williams et al [70], reporting on tonne -1 comparisons in the UK, found little difference in energy use for potato production and slightly lower GHG emissions in organic production, the largest difference being in reduced direct N 2 O emissions.…”

Section: Vegetablesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Carbon and Global Warming Potential Impacts of Organic Farming: Does It Have a Significant Role in an Energy Constrained World?

2011

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About 130 studies were analyzed to compare farm-level energy use and global warming potential (GWP) of organic and conventional production sectors. Cross cutting issues such as tillage, compost, soil carbon sequestration and energy offsets were also reviewed. Finally, we contrasted E and GWP data from the wider food system. We concluded that the evidence strongly favours organic farming with respect to whole-farm energy use and energy efficiency both on a per hectare and per farm product basis, with the possible exception of poultry and fruit sectors. For GWP, evidence is insufficient except in a few sectors, with results per ha more consistently favouring organic farming than GWP per unit product. Tillage was consistently a negligible contributor to farm E use and additional tillage on organic farms does not appear to significantly deplete soil C. Energy offsets, biogas, energy crops and residues have a more limited role on organic farms compared to conventional ones, because of the nutrient and soil building uses of soil organic matter, and the high demand for organic foods in human markets. If farm E use represents 35% of total food chain E use, improvements shown of 20% or more in E efficiency through organic farm management would reduce food-chain E use by 7% or more. Among other food supply chain stages, wholesale/retail (including cooling and OPEN ACCESSSustainability 2011, 3 323 packaging) and processing often each contribute 30% or more to total food system E. Thus, additional improvements can be obtained with reduced processing, whole foods and food waste minimization.

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Section: Vegetablesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Carbon and Global Warming Potential Impacts of Organic Farming: Does It Have a Significant Role in an Energy Constrained World?

2011

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“…For instance, Pimentel et al (1983) found an EU, respectively, 10.0 and 7.2 GJ ha −1 , for conventionally and organically grown spring wheat in North Dakota. For Danish conditions, Vester (1995) calculated the EU of spring barley on organic model farms (6.9-13.0 GJ ha −1 ) and on conventional farms (15.4-21.2 GJ ha −1 ).…”

Section: Energy Use For Crop Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A model for fossil energy use in Danish agriculture used to compare organic and conventional farming

Dalgaard¹,

Halberg²,

Porter³

2001

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

370

202

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Knowledge about fossil energy use in agricultural systems is needed, because it can improve the understanding of how to reduce the unsustainable use of limited energy resources and the following greenhouse gas emissions. This study describes and validates a model to assess fossil energy use in Danish agriculture; gives an example of how the model can be used to compare organic and conventional farming; and discusses the implications and potentials of using the model to simulate energy use in scenarios of agricultural production. The model is a development of an existing model, which was too coarse to predict measured energy use on Danish farms. The model was validated at the field operational, the crop type, and the national level, and can supplement the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change manual to quantify fossil energy use and subsequent carbon dioxide emissions from agriculture. The model can be used to model energy use as one indicator in a multi-criteria evaluation of sustainability, also including other agroecological and socio-economic indicators.As an example, energy use for eight conventional and organic crop types on loamy, sandy, and irrigated sandy soil was compared. The energy use was generally lower in the organic than in the conventional system, but yields were also lower. Consequently, conventional crop production had the highest energy production, whereas organic crop production had the highest energy efficiency. Generally, grain cereals such as wheat have a lower energy use per area than roughage crops such as beets. However, because of higher roughage crop yields per area, energy use per feed unit was higher in the roughage crops. Energy use for both conventional cattle and pig production was found to be higher than that for organic production. With respect to fossil energy use per produced livestock unit, agro-ecosystems producing pigs were in both cases less energy effective than those producing cattle.Fossil energy use for three scenarios of conversion to organic farming with increasing fodder import was compared to current conventional farming in Denmark. The scenario with the highest fodder import showed the highest energy use per livestock unit produced. In all scenarios, the energy use per unit produced was lower than in the present situation. However, the total Danish crop production was also lower.In conclusion, the model can be used to simulate scenarios, which can add new information to the discussion of future, sustainable agricultural production.

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“…In studies that were done on apple production systems, energy ratio was mostly reported between 1 to 2 (such as 1.57 reported by Page, 2009, 1.18 reported by Pimentel et al, 1983 and 1.11, 1.13 and 1.118 reported by Reganold et al, 2001). Other previous studies reported energy ratio indices of 0.06 (Pimentel et al, 1983), 0.61 (Pimentel, 2006) and 2.34 (Strapatsa et al, 2006). Energy productivity, specific energy and net gain energy were respectively obtained as 0.49, 2.05 and 6,143.2 MJ ha -1 , for the study.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy use in apple production in the Esfahan province of Iran

Sami¹,

Shiekhdavoodi²,

Asakereh³

2011

African Crop Science Journal

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Energy is a fundamental ingredient in the process of economic development, as it provides essential services that maintain economic activity and the quality of human life. Modern agriculture has become very energy-intensive. The aim of this study was to evaluate energy use in apple production in the Esfahan Province in Iran. Data used in this study were obtained from 146 farmers using a face to face interview method. The total energy requirement under apple farming was 36,135.16 MJ ha -1 , whereas 46.2, 25 and 15.8% was consumed due to chemicals, fuel and manure fertiliser, respectively. Renewable energy was 23.6% of total energy input. The input-output ratio, productivities, specific and net energy gain were 1.17, 0.49 kg MJ , respectively. Apple production needs to improve the efficiency of energy consumption and to employ renewable energy.Key Words: Energy intensive, energy ratio, renewable energy RÉSUMÉ L'énergie est un ingrédient fondamental dans le processus de développement économique, étant donné qu'elle fournit de services essentiels pour le maintien des activités économiques et la qualité de vie humaine. L'agriculture moderne est devenue trop exigente en énergie. L'objet de cette étude était d'évaluer l'usage de l'énergie dans la production de la pomme dans la Province d' Esfahan en Iran. Les données utilisées dans cette étude étaient obtenues de 146 fermiers par la méthode d'interview face à face. Le total des besoins en énergie pour la production de la pomme était de 36,135.16

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Energy efficiency of farming systems: Organic and conventional agriculture

Cited by 124 publications

References 9 publications

The Carbon and Global Warming Potential Impacts of Organic Farming: Does It Have a Significant Role in an Energy Constrained World?

The Carbon and Global Warming Potential Impacts of Organic Farming: Does It Have a Significant Role in an Energy Constrained World?

A model for fossil energy use in Danish agriculture used to compare organic and conventional farming

Energy use in apple production in the Esfahan province of Iran

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