Savings on fuel costs
Industry:
Aquaculture, Beef, Cotton, Dairy, Eggs, Grains and fodder, Horticulture, Nursery and garden, Pork, Poultry, Sugarcane
Location:
Atherton Tablelands, Border Rivers, Cape York Peninsula, Central West, Darling Downs, Dry Tropics, Fitzroy, Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday, Maranoa-Balonne, North West, Queensland, South-East, South-West, Southern Downs, Torres Strait, Wet Tropics, Wide Bay Burnett
Pump Type:
Not applicable
Irrigation Type:
Not applicable
Technology:
Diesel
There are many ways you can reduce farm fuel costs, and many are quick wins, which mean they won’t cost anything to start with, and will save fuel immediately.
The key factors are:
- choosing the right-sized tractors and machinery for your farm operation size
- driving to maximum efficiency with route planning and load consolidation
- routine maintenance to keep equipment and machinery running efficiently
- driving for efficiency
Drive for efficiency: Eco-driving
There are good fuel cost savings to be made by adjusting your driving technique. Fast acceleration and hard braking, as well as carrying extra weight can all contribute to higher fuel consumption compared to more moderate driving.
The RACQ provides useful eco-driving tips to save money, and reduce fuel use and vehicle emissions. Read more here. The Department of Energy and Climate also hosts information on electric vehicle charging, including information for the best time to charge.
There are a number of useful fact sheets with good tips on saving money through eco-driving. The ecoBiz Fact Sheet: Efficient Driving and Fleet Management provides advice on choosing vehicles and driving to save energy.
Farm vehicles
It’s easier to save on fuel costs when you have the right-sized tractors and machinery. Consider estimating your tractor power needs and choosing the most suitable size, rather than buying the highest horsepower-per-dollar model.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries released a guide on ‘Estimating tractor power needs’ with an 8 step assessment to help choose the most suitable tractor for the job.
Light vehicles: Cars, utes and vans
The Green Vehicle Guide – helps you by rating new Australian vehicles based on greenhouse and air pollution emissions.
Small-medium trucks and commercial vehicles
Heavy Vehicle Purchasing Guide – provides tips and guidance on selecting fuel efficient trucks.