Ingleby Farms Sustainability Report 2018-19

Page 45

ENERGY

45

FARMING ENERGY Energy is an important input to agricultural production. Agriculture uses energy directly as fuel or electricity to operate farm machinery and equipment, to dry grains, cool fruits, and indirectly such as in the production of synthetic fertilisers. Our sustainable agricultural principles may not always be the most energy efficient. As an example, mechanical row cleaning requires more diesel use than simply spraying weeds with chemicals, but it reduces our need for harmful herbicides. Another example is irrigation, which also requires highenergy use, but helps us to conserve water. Ultimately, energy use and efficiency are aspects of agriculture that cannot stand alone and always should be seen as part of a larger, holistic farming system.

INGLEBY FARMS // FARMING WITH NATURE


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