Posted March 29, 2010
Efficient fans are essential for proper ventilation of livestock production facilities and a new Iowa State University Extension publication explains the factors farmers should consider when selecting or upgrading fans for hog buildings.
Inefficient fans can add to a farmer’s cost of production, said ISU Extension program coordinator Dana Petersen. The most obvious cost is wasted energy that is expended while using an inefficient fan. Other costs can arise from poor air quality because of under-ventilation or wasted heat due to over-ventilation. Fans that are inefficient or mismanaged may allow air quality to diminish and, therefore, stress animals. Stressed animals are more susceptible to disease and also have less-than-optimal growth and feed conversion.
This publication is part of a series of farm energy conservation and efficiency educational materials being developed through the Farm Energy Conservation and Efficiency educational initiative. The purpose is to increase farmers’ awareness of opportunities for improving efficient use of farm energy. The initiative also will help farmers explore alternatives to reduce farm energy demand and to improve their farms’ overall profitability in a rapidly changing energy environment.
Iowa State University Extension received a grant from the IowaEnergyCenter to carry out the initiative. Extension and the IowaEnergyCenter are cooperating with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO), the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives, Consumers Energy, Alliant Energy, MidAmerican Energy, Office of Energy Independence and USDA in the effort.
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