Biomass pellets drawing interest of farmers seeking to curb rising fuel costs
By: Chris Lusvardi
Decatur (IL) Herald & Review
DECATUR – With the cost of fuel an increasing concern, farmers are among those looking for ways to save on expenses.
One cost-saving method that has caught the interest of an increasing number of farmers is making biomass pellets to be used for heating purposes. A meeting organized by the nonprofit Decatur-based Agricultural Watershed Institute on Tuesday at Rock Springs Nature Center addressed how alternative fuel sources can benefit farmers in particular.
“We’ve got some good processes in place,” said Andrew Clarkson, a Macon County hay producer who makes pellets as part of the Local Bioenergy Initiative. “We’re going to keep plugging away at it.”
Jim Laine, a producer from New Jersey, discussed with the group how he worked with the New Jersey Audubon Society to grow warm season grasses for bird habitat and renewable energy. He said the savings to use 1 ton of biomass instead of propane or fuel oil is significant.
Compared to 149 gallons of propane for $387.40 and 101 gallons of fuel oil for $383.80, Laine said he has found using 1 ton of biomass pellets to cost $165.
“That’s saving us a lot of money on the farm,” Laine said.
