----- Original Message -----
From: Steve Groff <sgroff@epix.net>
To: Joel B. Gruver <jgruver@principia.edu>
Cc: Raymond R. Weil <rw17@umail.umd.edu>; <sanet-mg@cals.ncsu.edu>
Sent: Saturday, May 13, 2000 2:22 AM
Subject: Re: energy cost of no-till
>
>
> "Joel B. Gruver" wrote:
>
> > The embodied energy costs of paraquat and glyphosate (roundup) are
listed
> > as 460 MJ/kg (Megajoules/kilogram) and 450 MJ/kg.
> >
> > My understanding is that both paraquat and roundup are typically applied
at
> > rates > 1 kg of active ingredient/ha (~ 1 lb/acre) when used to burn
down
> > weeds/cover crops prior to no-till planting.
> >
> > Thus the energy cost of the burn down spray in no-till systems is often
> > greater than 450 MJ/kg.
> >
> > To put this in perspective, the embodied cost of a single burndown spray
> > appears to be similiar to the energy costs of a primary tillage
operation,
> > a secondary tillage operation and several cultivations all added
together
> > (e.g. Loomis and Connor report that moldboard plowing medium textured
soil
> > 18 cm (7") deep has an energy cost of 210-370 MJ/ha).
> >
> > When it all boils down however, the energy costs of tillage and
herbicides
> > pale compared to the energy cost of N fertilizer. Loomis and Connor
report
> > that N (NH3) fertilizer has an embodied energy cost of ~ 60 MJ/kg. A
> > typical application of 100 kg N/ha would have a total energy cost of
6000
> > MJ/ha !
>
> What does this mean to me as a farmer?
>
There seems to be a direct relationship between energy cost of a certain
application and the dammage this will do to the environment in general.
John
>
> Steve Groff
>
> "Enhancing the Environment" http://www.cedarmeadowfarm.com/
> Cedar Meadow Farm
> 679 Hilldale Road
> Holtwood, PA 17532 USA
>
>
>
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