Observed Energy Use by Broiler and Pullet Farms

Evaluating farm-scale energy used for broiler production can provide insight into how these facilities use energy and allow for seasonal and managerial influences to be evaluated. This study evaluated farm-scale energy consumption for South Carolina broiler production using energy records from 17 br...

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Main Authors: Aaron P. Turner, John P. Chastain, Hunter F. Massey
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-08-01
Series:AgriEngineering
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2624-7402/6/3/150
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author Aaron P. Turner
John P. Chastain
Hunter F. Massey
author_facet Aaron P. Turner
John P. Chastain
Hunter F. Massey
author_sort Aaron P. Turner
collection DOAJ
description Evaluating farm-scale energy used for broiler production can provide insight into how these facilities use energy and allow for seasonal and managerial influences to be evaluated. This study evaluated farm-scale energy consumption for South Carolina broiler production using energy records from 17 broiler and 4 pullet farms. Monthly electric use showed low to moderate correlation (r ranging from 0.476–0.630) with ambient temperature but had limited predictive usefulness. There was no clear pattern in monthly electrical energy use for broiler barns. However, pullet barns were more consistent and could be grouped into seasons. No significant differences (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in annual electric or gas use were observed between farms with generally better equipment and otherwise similar farms, but production type did influence annual electric use. The average annual electrical use was 23.6 kWh m<sup>−2</sup> for farms producing larger birds, 8.7 kWh m<sup>−2</sup> for those producing smaller birds, and 17.0 kWh m<sup>−2</sup> for pullet farms. Electrical energy use accounted for 37% of total energy in broiler barns and 32% of energy in pullet barns. Combined electric and gas consumption averaged 214 MJ m<sup>−2</sup> yr<sup>−1</sup> across all farms. These findings help better quantify farm-scale energy used for broiler production and provide benchmark values for energy use.
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spelling doaj-art-d7f8039aeb6a45ba827f92aab65d5e642025-08-20T01:56:09ZengMDPI AGAgriEngineering2624-74022024-08-01632577259110.3390/agriengineering6030150Observed Energy Use by Broiler and Pullet FarmsAaron P. Turner0John P. Chastain1Hunter F. Massey2Department of Agricultural Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USADepartment of Agricultural Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USADepartment of Agricultural Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USAEvaluating farm-scale energy used for broiler production can provide insight into how these facilities use energy and allow for seasonal and managerial influences to be evaluated. This study evaluated farm-scale energy consumption for South Carolina broiler production using energy records from 17 broiler and 4 pullet farms. Monthly electric use showed low to moderate correlation (r ranging from 0.476–0.630) with ambient temperature but had limited predictive usefulness. There was no clear pattern in monthly electrical energy use for broiler barns. However, pullet barns were more consistent and could be grouped into seasons. No significant differences (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in annual electric or gas use were observed between farms with generally better equipment and otherwise similar farms, but production type did influence annual electric use. The average annual electrical use was 23.6 kWh m<sup>−2</sup> for farms producing larger birds, 8.7 kWh m<sup>−2</sup> for those producing smaller birds, and 17.0 kWh m<sup>−2</sup> for pullet farms. Electrical energy use accounted for 37% of total energy in broiler barns and 32% of energy in pullet barns. Combined electric and gas consumption averaged 214 MJ m<sup>−2</sup> yr<sup>−1</sup> across all farms. These findings help better quantify farm-scale energy used for broiler production and provide benchmark values for energy use.https://www.mdpi.com/2624-7402/6/3/150energyenergy consumptionequipment efficiencybroilerspulletsenergy assessment
spellingShingle Aaron P. Turner
John P. Chastain
Hunter F. Massey
Observed Energy Use by Broiler and Pullet Farms
AgriEngineering
energy
energy consumption
equipment efficiency
broilers
pullets
energy assessment
title Observed Energy Use by Broiler and Pullet Farms
title_full Observed Energy Use by Broiler and Pullet Farms
title_fullStr Observed Energy Use by Broiler and Pullet Farms
title_full_unstemmed Observed Energy Use by Broiler and Pullet Farms
title_short Observed Energy Use by Broiler and Pullet Farms
title_sort observed energy use by broiler and pullet farms
topic energy
energy consumption
equipment efficiency
broilers
pullets
energy assessment
url https://www.mdpi.com/2624-7402/6/3/150
work_keys_str_mv AT aaronpturner observedenergyusebybroilerandpulletfarms
AT johnpchastain observedenergyusebybroilerandpulletfarms
AT hunterfmassey observedenergyusebybroilerandpulletfarms