Agronomy Library > Annual Weeds

Energy Savings From an Increase in Adoption of Zero Tillage in Alberta in 2009
Author: Peter Gamache
Date Created: May 21, 2009
Last Reviewed: May 21, 2009
Estimated zero tillage acres in Alberta in 2009 = 10.83 million – number of acres seeded each year using zero tillage (about 58% of the total annually seeded acres in Alberta). Estimated from Statistics Canada 2006 Census data. Estimated increase in zero tillage from 2008 to 2009 = 626,500 acres. Fuel savings (amount of savings attributed to an increase of 626,500 zero till acres) Zero tillage systems use a minimum of 6 litres less of diesel fuel per acre than conventional seeding systems. Some estimates go as high as 11 litres per acre. Energy in one litre of diesel fuel = 38.6 MJ. Total passes over the field for convention seeding systems are 7.5 and for zero tillage are 3.8. @ 6 litres = 3.759 million litres less diesel used in 2009 vs 2008 (145 million MJ). @11 litres = 6.892 million litres less diesel used in 2009 vs 2008 (266 million MJ). Emissions reductions based on using: 6 litres less of fuel per acre 2.7 kg CO2e emitted per litre of diesel fuel burned Zero tillage on 626,500 acres reduces emissions of CO2e by 10,150 tonnes in 2009. US EPA estimates that an average 4 wheel vehicle emits 5.46 tonnes of CO2e /yr Zero tillage on 626,500 acres is equivalent to removing 1,859 cars from the road in 2009. 11 litres less fuel per acre Zero tillage on 626,500 acres reduces emissions by 18,608 tonnes in 2009 Zero tillage on 626,500 acres is equivalent to removing 3,408 cars from the road in 2009. CO2e sequestered annually 0.145 tonnes/acre/year Total sequestered on 626,500 zero tillage acres in 2009 is 90,842 tonnes. Co-benefits of zero tillage Labour savings 0.26 hours/acre which is 50% of conventional seeding time. Labour saved each year on 626,500 acres = 162,890 hours. Labour saved on a 5,000 acre farm = 1,300 hours in 2009. @ $15 per hour total saving by using zero tillage on 626,500 acres is $2,443,350. Risk Zero tillage captures and makes the best use of available moisture, reducing drought and erosion risk compared to conventional tillage. Habitat Zero tillage fields provide enhanced habitat for waterfowl and upland game birds compared to conventional fields. Click here if you would like to participate in our project to measure fuel use in cropping systems.