farm equipment

If you want to reduce the carbon footprint of your farm, then consider making the switch to bio fuel. Because they are derived from renewable organic materials that are found in abundance, bio fuels like biodiesel are a far more environmentally friendly way of running tractors and other farm equipment.

What are Bio Fuels?

Fuels like biodiesel are derived from organic materials that are readily available and can be grown as needed to meet increasing demand. Best of all, scientists have found a wide variety of plants and other organic materials that are suitable for use. For example, common crops such as coleseed, oil palms, peanuts, sunflowers and soybeans all have a naturally high vegetable oil content that makes them ideal for bio fuel production.

But these aren’t the only potential source of organic material for these fuels. Scientists are also researching the possibility of using algae for large scale bio fuel production. Not only does algae have the potential to yield far greater quantities of oil than traditional crops, but it can also be grown in harsh environments such as sewage treatment plants where it grows on (and consumes) unwanted waste. Growing algae in this way also means that valuable farmland would not have to be used for production.

Benefits of Using Biodiesel on the Farm

The primary benefit of use on the farm is that they reduce the carbon footprint of vehicles such as tractors. This is possible because biodiesel burns much cleaner and more completely in combustion engines than those derived from fossil fuels. This means that they have no negative impact on the carbon cycle because they only release the carbon dioxide that the plant absorbed while it was growing. This is in stark contrast to fossil fuels which pollute the air and increase greenhouse gases, which contributes to global warming.

Biodiesel also has another key benefit over fossil fuels. Because they are biodegradable and non-toxic, they also reduce wear and tear on engines in tractors and other equipment found on the farm. This means less tractor service and maintenance over the life of the vehicle, which ultimately reduces the cost of ownership.

Reduce Your Farm’s Carbon Footprint Today

Going “green” on your farm isn’t difficult. One quick and easy way to begin reducing the carbon footprint of your farm is to simply make the switch to biodiesel. Not only is it cheaper than regular diesel, but it will also extend the life of your tractor and other farm equipment, all while helping to save the environment.