Energy return on energy invested (EROEI) empirical model of an organic integrated animal and vegetable farm in Kentucky

Matthew S. Deason, John R. Schramski, and Krista L. JacobsenInternational Society for BioPhysical Econoics (ISBPE)

University of D.C.

June 26-29, 2016

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The Farm• 375 acre farm in Scott County Kentucky• Generations of the same family• Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)• Certified Organic (USDA designation)• Integrated Farm

• Vegetables (wide variety)• Eggs and Meat (Beef, Lamb, Turkey,

Chicken)

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Farm Philosophy• Livestock and crop recycling of nutrients• 10 year rotation of production and fallows• Humane nurture and care for livestock• Diversity in Product Offering• Serve the Community

“We use many conservation practices to ensure better soil and water for future generations . . .”

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• Vegetables• Sweet Corn, Potatoes,

Sweet Potatoes, Beans, and Broccoli

• Squash and Eggplant, Root Vegetables, Herbs, Tomatoes and Peppers, Exotics (bok choy and ginger), etc.

• Fruits (blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, watermelon, etc.)

• Processed (dried herbs, salsa, ketchup, and cornmeal)

• Meat (eggs, chicken, lamb, turkey, beef)

• Tobacco

• Direct• Human Labor• Gasoline and Diesel• Electricity• LP Gas

• Indirect• Associated with direct

inputs• Feed and feed products• Live animals• Water• Seed (vegetables,

grains, and grasses)• Plastic products• Fertilizer• Egg cartons• Pine shavings and

wheat straw• Pesticides• Gravel and agricultural

lime• Equipment (Amortized)

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Model Boundary

• Farm Gate• Given this is a CSA,

Farm to household energy very low

Input Coefficients

• Literature searches• Combined estimates• Actual conditions

representing the farm

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Vegetables, Fruits, and Finished Products

• Weights taken prior to distribution• USDA established values for kcals• Monthly totals recorded

Eggs and Meat

• Eggs were counted in dozens• Live weights were recorded prior to processing• Live weights were discounted• USDA kcal values to discounted weights

Species Carcass % Bone % Total Discount

(Carcass – Bone)

Source

Beef 60 % 10% 50% 1

Lamb 50 % 7% 43% 1

Turkey 76.4% - 76.4% 2

Hens 73.8% - 73.8% 3

Broilers 74% - 74% 2

1. Darre et al., 1991; Table 13

2. Darre et al., 1991; Table 14 (averaged male and female)

3. Darre et al., 1991; Table 14 (female)

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EquipmentMotorized Equipment• 24 individual pieces

• 10 pieces 12 years old or less• 14 pieces older than 12 years

• Amortized 12 years when less than 12 years old• Rest amortized by age of equipment

• 1970 Gleaner Combine• 1966 Farmall 140• 1963 Ford 500

Non-Motorized Equipment• 38 individual Pieces• 33 pieces amortized 20 years• 5 pieces amortized 30 years

Model ResultsDirect and Indirect7.8 to 1.0

Direct only2.8 to 1.0

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422

1,176

-

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

Outputs Inputs

422

3,286

-

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

Outputs Inputs

Values in GJ

9

-

100

200

300

400

500

600

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

GJ

Monthy Energy

Total Output MJ Total Input MJ

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

-

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

GJ

Accumulative Energy

Acc Output Acc Input Ratio

- 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500

LP Gas (5.9%)

Electricity (8.3%)

Poultry Feed (8.3%)

Diesel (11.0%)

Gasoline (11.6%)

Machinery (15.9%)

Human Labor (28.5%)

Total Input Energy

90% of Input Energy

Direct Energy Indirect Energy - 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450

Yellow Squash (1.7%)(10.6 t)

Turkey (1.7%)(1.2 t)

Tomatoes (1.7%)(9.7 t)

Broccoli (2.6%)(2.9 t)

Beans (3.3%)(2.9 t)

Sweet Potatoes (4.1%)(3.8 t)

Potatoes (4.3%)(5.5 t)

Eggs (4.6%)(3.2 t)

Broilers (9.3%)(5.8 t)

Sweet Corn (9.7%)(11.3 t)

Beef (37.3%)(17.9 t)

Total Output (135.1 t)

80% Output Energy

Values in GJ 10

Input Reference Notes

Labor (Direct) Cox and Atkins, 1979; Pimentel, 1984; Duhon, 1985; SFNB, 1989; Zhengfang, 1994;

Tharion et al., 2005; Smil, 2008; Schramski et al.; 2013

Labor (Indirect) Schramski et al., 2013 Upstream energy used to supply the labor and to maintain

laborer’s physiology

Gasoline and Diesel (Direct) US Department of Energy values for each fuel http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/fuel_properties.php

Gasoline and Diesel (Indirect) Hall et al., 2014

Gravel and Ag Lime Venkatarama Reddy and Jagadish, 2003 Local Quarry

Seed (all) Gliessman, 1998 “Local seed”

Fertilizer Spångberg et al., 2011

Feed and Trace Minerals Pelletier, 2008

Roasted Soybeans Pradhan et al., 2009 and manufacturing data from Dilts-Wetzel

Shavings M. dos Santos et al., 2015

Electricity WeiBback et al., 2013 Formula by probability of generation

Water Mo et al., 2010

Pesticides Leach and Slesser, 1973 and Green, 1987

Paper Egg Cartons Manda et al., 2012 Kraft paper values

Plastic and Styrofoam Lawson and Rudder, 1996

Wheat Straw Nilsson, 1997 (for production) and Eom et al., 2012 (for transportation) Based on top five wheat producing states.

Live birds Pelletier, 2008

Whole Corn Pelletier, 2008

Machinery Smil et al., 1983 Amortization based on age

Input References

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Conclusion

• Equipment (capital) energy investments very low• Farm is building soil organic matter• Studies needed

• Organic Certified pesticides• Organic Fertilizer

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• Integrated animal/vegetable farms have lower EROEI• 40:1 UKY CAS (Shramski et al., 2013)• 40:1 or 20:1 for cattle (Pimentel and Pimentel,

2008) (32.6:1 or 16.3:1)• Lime only soil amendment (local quarry)• Low animal inputs

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Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the care guidance of the team of authors working on this project. There thoughtful direction has enriched the project’s outcomes.

I would like to thank the farm family involved in the project. Without there diligent collection of data, this project would be impossible. I have the deepest respect for their honest stewardship.

I would like to acknowledge the special care Dr. John Schramski had taken with my education in many things. He is one of my truest mentors.

Finally, I would like thank my family for the overwhelming support they always show. I’m blessed to have such fans.

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