Farm-Level Emissions Reductions - Part Two

Tim Hammerich

News Reporter

Farm machinery manufacturers like AGCO are looking for ways to help farmers reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. AGCO’s head of global sustainability Louisa Parker-Smith says a big part of this effort is improving machine efficiency.

Parker-Smith… “How can we optimize the engine, the transmission, the hydraulics to make the machine more efficient when it's being used? Just to give you one example, with our Fendt tractor they have the VarioGrip which makes adjustments to tire pressure for field work and road use. And there, you can see a small difference, but it all adds up. So if you use this VarioGrip when you're in the field, it's an 8% reduction in emissions per hectare, and 2% on the road. When we roll that up, it's something like 50,000 to 60,000 US dollars per 10,000 hours. And the CO2 emission reduction potentially is anywhere between 5% and 25% dependent on which element of machine efficiency you're addressing. So huge amount of opportunity in that space.”

Parker-Smith adds that process efficiency is also important.

Parker-Smith… “How can you ensure that you're using the best machine and the best technology for the application? And so this is where GPS comes in, guidance, steering systems. How do you minimize the number of passes in the field? And again, this can impact fuel consumption.”

Tune in tomorrow for more efforts underweigh to reduce agriculture’s carbon footprint.