Energy Use on Alberta's Farms
Farming is a significant component of Alberta’s economy. There are over 53,000 farms in the province spending over $460 million annually on energy. Cattle farming represents about 59 per cent of the total farms, followed by grain and oilseed farming at 29 per cent. Machinery uses approximately 50 per cent of the total energy on Alberta farms. The chart below indicates Alberta energy use by farm type. Cattle farming is the biggest user at 44 per cent of the total energy on Alberta farms followed by 33 per cent for grain and oilseed farming.
Energy Use by Farm Type
Cattle Farms
Diesel fuel, mainly for farm machinery and vehicles, accounts for about 57 per cent of the total energy used for cattle farming, followed by gasoline at 23 per cent. The chart below indicates the energy end use for this sector.
Grain and Oilseed Farms
The second biggest energy user on Alberta farms is the grain and oilseed sector. The chart below indicates energy use for this sector. Diesel fuel at 64 per cent and gasoline at 20 per cent accounts for the highest energy usage.
Dairy Farms
Dairy farms account for about four per cent of the total energy used by Alberta farms. The chart below shows energy use on dairy farms, with diesel at 51 per cent and gasoline at 18 per cent making up the majority. However, electricity and natural gas are a larger percentage of total energy used on dairy farms than in the cattle and grain sectors.
Hog Farms
Diesel fuel is the largest energy source on hog farms at 39 per cent. However, natural gas and electricity are significant components as shown in the chart below.
Reference
Energy use statistics are based on the report Direct Energy Use in Agriculture and the Food Sectors, published in 2000 by The Canadian Agriculture Energy End Use Data and Analysis Centre (CAEEDAC). Individual farming operations may vary.
