Opportunities for energy efficiency and biofuel production in Australian wheat farming systems

Background: The use of grain for food and biofuels is of high international interest amid rising fossil energy costs, energy security and climate change. Energy efficiency must be improved in high-input agriculture in order to provide net benefits from biofuels. Results: Options for reducing energy inputs into selected examples of Australian grain farms were investigated. Nitrogen fertilizer and diesel accounted for the bulk of nonrenewable energy use (over 73%) and targeted options for reducing their consumption can save from 25 to over 70% in energy use. Conclusion: Strategies to implement energy efficiency improvements into grain farming and improve the sustainability of agricultural production systems are effective but usually incur some production penalties. The trade-offs between energy use and production are discussed.