Producers have always cared about the land and environment and hope to leave it in better shape for future generations. In addition to helping improve the environment, farm stewardship may also bring economic benefits for your operation.
1. Use LED lighting
While residential LED lighting uses at least 75 per cent energy and lasts up to 25 times longer than incandescent lighting, there are also significant energy savings for agricultural lighting in shops, barns and outdoor applications. Studies have also shown that LED lighting boosts milk production on dairy farms by eight per cent, improves egg production on layer farms and improves musculoskeletal development and weight gain on broiler farms.
2. Upgrade shops and barns
There are many ways to make buildings more efficient: insulate ceilings and walls with blown-in, batt or spray foam insulation; upgrade windows and doors; install heat exchangers to manage humidity, improve barn air quality and reduce electrical costs; and upgrade attic ventilation to reduce heat build-up in the summer and ventilate moisture in the winter.
3. Consider solar and wind power
Solar and wind power may be a cost-effective option and a practical one if access to the power grid poses a challenge. Use solar panels to power electric fences and water pumps, and windmills for aeration to improve the water quality of dugouts. Alberta research found steers gained 16 to 19 per cent more weight when consuming aerated water from troughs. Government assistance for installations may also be available, depending on the province.
4. Safely store petroleum products
Single-wall gravity-flow tanks mounted in the air are prone to a variety of issues: dripping valves, leaking nozzles, damaged stands and cracked hoses. Improve safety and efficiency with a dual-wall storage tank ranging from a few thousand litres to 75,000 litres and more. A dual-wall used oil recycling tank can also store up to 5,000 litres of product.
5. Recycle used automotive products, paint and tires
Many products can actually be recycled. Automotive batteries can be recycled at your local Co-op. Find a collection site to recycle used oil, filters, antifreeze and plastic containers at usedoilrecycling.com. Paint and tire recycling options vary from province to province.
6. Recycle agricultural products
Co-op is a proud member of Cleanfarms, which operates these programs:
- pesticide and fertilizer container recycling
- seed and pesticide bag recycling
- obsolete product collection
- grain bags (Saskatchewan) and ag film and twine (Manitoba) recycling
Talk to your local Co-op Equip Team member for advice and product recommendations on these farm stewardship practices.