Naslov
Fodder as a biofuel: Cost effectiveness of powering horses in plowing operation

Autori
Gantner, Ranko ; Šumanovac, Luka ; Zimmer, Domagoj ; Ronta, Mario ; Glavaš, Hrvoje ; Ivanović, Milan ; Jarić, Danijel

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u zbornicima skupova, cjeloviti rad (in extenso), znanstveni

Izvornik
6th International Scientific Symposium: Economy of Eastern Croatia - vision and growth / Anka Mašek Tonković - Osijek : Ekonomski fakultet Sveučilišta Josipa Jurja Strossmayera u Osijeku, 2017, 618-625

Skup
6th International Scientific Symposium: Economy of Eastern Croatia - vision and growth

Mjesto i datum
Osijek, Hrvatska, 25.05.2017. - 27.05.2017

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
biofuel ; soil tillage ; cost effectiveness ; sustainability

Sažetak
The aim of the research was to compare the cost effectiveness of a fodder with a petroleum diesel fuel in powering the most fundamental soil tillage operation: plowing. Fodder was considered as a biofuel for biological combustion in live work animals, i.e. draft horses, which convert the chemical energy of organic compounds of fodder into useful mechanical work for soil tillage. Consumption either of fodder or diesel fuel per unit of plowed land was multiplied with the purchase price of each “fuel” to project costs and compare cost effectiveness. The projections were calculated for two types of soil considering their easiness for tillage: medium light soil and heavy soil. In both projections (for the medium light soils and heavy soils), the fodder as a biofuel has shown a greater cost effectiveness due to consistently lower cost per unit of plowed land area. The fodder costs for plowing medium light soils were estimated between 34.78 HRK/ha and 90.61 HRK/ha, while the diesel fuel costs were estimated between 126.42 HRK/ha and 155.33 HRK/ha. Fodder costs for plowing heavy soils were estimated between 90.00 HRK/ha and 158.20 HRK/ha, while the diesel fuel costs were estimated between 287.63 HRK/ha and 363.09 HRK/ha. Projected variations of fodder costs per unit of plowed land area were due to expected variation of purchase price of fodders (meadow hay and oats), and variations in fodder consumption due to various horse breeds employed and nutrition management. Variations in diesel fuel costs per unit of plowed land area were due to different reported values of fuel consumption in the published researches. For the overall appraisal of economics of horse-powered work in agriculture, and for a more reliable comparison of the cost effectiveness between horse traction and diesel-engine powered traction, there should be considered horses’ fixed costs too, like a fodder in idle days, depreciation, housing, shoeing, and veterinarian. Since the research results are based on literature published data for diesel fuel, and for fodder are based mainly on data collected by interviews, there appears a need to continue this research in field trials. This would provide exact measurements of work capacity and fodder consumption of working horses.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Elektrotehnika, Poljoprivreda (agronomija)

POVEZANOST RADA