A comparison of energy use in conventional and integrated arable farming systems in the UK

Bailey, A. P., Basford, W. D., Penlington, N., Park, J. R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3430-9052, Keatinge, J. D. H., Rehman, T., Tranter, R. B. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0702-6505 and Yates, C. M. (2003) A comparison of energy use in conventional and integrated arable farming systems in the UK. Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment, 97 (1-3). pp. 241-253. ISSN 0167-8809 doi: 10.1016/s0167-8809(03)00115-4

Abstract/Summary

The LINK Integrated Farming Systems (LINK-IFS) Project (1992-1997) was setup to compare conventional and integrated arable farming systems (IAFS), concentrating on practical feasibility and economic viability, but also taking into account the level of inputs used and environmental impact. As part of this, an examination into energy use within the two systems was also undertaken. This paper presents the results from that analysis. The data used is from the six sites within the LINK-IFS Project, spread through the arable production areas of England and from the one site in Scotland, covering the 5 years of the project. The comparison of the energy used is based on the equipment and inputs used to produce I kg of each crop within the conventional and integrated rotations, and thereby the overall energy used for each system. The results suggest that, in terms of total energy used, the integrated system appears to be the most efficient. However, in terms of energy efficiency, energy use per kilogram of output, the results are less conclusive. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/8268
Item Type	Article
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Uncontrolled Keywords	integrated arable fanning systems, energy use, efficiency, AGRICULTURE, PRODUCTIVITY
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