Energy use efficiency of specialised dairy, arable and pig farms in Flanders

In this study, we determined the energy use and energy use efficiency of a representative set (Flemish Farm Accountancy Data Network, FADN) of specialised dairy, arable and pig farms in Flanders. Total energy use comprised direct energy, based on the consumed amounts of diesel, lubricants, electricity and other energy sources (p.e. natural gas); and indirect energy, consumed during the production of farm inputs such as mineral fertilisers, seeds, pesticides, concentrates, forages and field machinery. We studied the changes in energy use and energy use efficiency between 1989–1990 and 2000–2001 for dairy and arable farms and between 1989–1990 and 1997–1998 for pig farms. The results showed that the use of mineral fertilisers and animal feed accounted for a high share of the total energy use on the farms. Diesel use took the major part of direct energy use. For dairy and arable farms, total energy use per ha has decreased significantly over the considered time period; on pig farms, energy use per fattening pig equivalent (FPE) in 1997–1998 was comparable to that in 1989–1990. The most energy efficient dairy and pig farms were intensive farms, which combined a high production with a low energy use and which possessed a gross value added per production unit comparable to, or even higher than the average. Based on the energy productivity of the top 5% farms, target values were set of 35 l milk 100 MJ−1 and 7.5 kg carcass 100 MJ−1 for energy use on Flemish dairy and pig fattening farms, respectively. On arable farms, the energy use efficiency was highly dependent on the crop rotation. For that reason, it is recommended to calculate energy balances on field level, for each separate crop.