11/17/06 Another energy estimator

There's a new web-based energy awareness tool for animal housing has been unveiled by US Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns. He told Farm Broadcasters meeting in Kansas City that producers can save energy costs by regular maintenance of equipment, ventilation and heating systems. JOHANNS "It's an analysis of the use and cost of heating, lighting and ventilation for animal housing. Implementing what is suggested in this estimator we believe can save energy costs, maybe as much as 50 percent in savings." Once the required information has been entered, the animal housing energy awareness tool provides an analysis of estimated energy use and costs associated with various management options. This is USDA's fourth energy estimator and this one contains tracks for dairy, swine and poultry. When energy costs went sky high last summer the energy estimators were initiated on the Internet. JOHANNS "We have had nearly two billion hits combined on these energy estimators and when we get the testimonials from producers out there and they tell us what they're accomplishing it is so exciting to see." The other three estimators address energy costs and usage for tillage, nitrogen fertilizer and irrigation. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott