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SUNFLOWERS CAN BRING FUEL SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND A
LITTLE SUNSHINE TO THE BOTTOM LINE OF DAIRY FARMS
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| SUNFLOWER MEAL, YAM ! |
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| The 2006 milk price (class IV) was 1% lower than it was in 2005 but fuel and corn prices were up 12% and 89% respectively.
Sunflower oil and meal can replace some of soy protein and all fats in dairy cow rations1.
A 950 head farm that grows sunflower on 550 acres and uses it for meal, fat supplement and fuel will be fuel self-sufficient and have cleaner air and lower expenses. Three cows can use meal and fat supplement provided by two acres of sunflower.
One acre of sunflower yields fuel for farming up to eight acres.
Sunflower oil and meal help cows make healthier and better milk. Milk fats beneficial to human health that are produced naturally by cows will restore the image of milk and dairy products as healthy and essential foods. Demand for nutritious dairy products may create new markets that will improve viability of dairies.Cow diets supplemented with pure sunflower meal and oil rich in monounsaturated fats could:
• Improve butter spreadability and cheese texture
• Improve cow fertility and reduce nitrogen excretion
• Drastically reduce or eliminate cholesterolic fats and increase monounsaturated and CLA2
Milk and dairy products that are good for human health and fuel that is good for the
environment should command higher returns to the dairies.
Business plan A summary:
Prerequisites: 960 cows feed provider, 560 acres, 5,000 FLOWER POWER shares,USA citizen or resident applicant.
Production: oilseeds meal, oil and farm fuel.
$105,000 Investment: Seed press and handling equipment, filtration kit, storage tanks and engine conversion kits.
Alternative financing: lease, 75/25 % USDA loan/grant.
Two years pay off: at 2006 expenses of $ 329,275 for
100% of fuel, 15% of meal and 100% of fat supplement.
$ 267,225 Projected Expenses:
Cultivar cost: $ 250 x 550 ac = $ 137,500
Land cost $ 175 x 550 ac. = $ 96,250
Operating cost $ 15/hr x 365 hr. = $ 5,475
Financial cost $ 105,000 @10% = $ 28,000
Production value:
Meal: $ 161,500/year (646 t @ $250/t )
Oil as fat: $ 111,300 (318 t @ $350/t)
Oil as energy:$91,000 (70K gal. crude @ $1.30/gal)
$33,750 (15K gal. fuel @ $2.25/gal)
Economical bottom line
• $ 62,000 / year expenses reduction.
• $105,000 farm equity increase.
• Premium milk (value to be determined).
Environmental bottom line
• 15,000 gal./year fossil fuel reduction.
• cleaner air for humans and livestock.
• zero fossil fuel used in refining and distribution.
Social bottom-line
• Preserve rural jobs and life style.
• Assure local farm fuel supply and price stability.
• Change the hands that control the fuel.
GOT YOUR SUNFLOWERS PLANTED?
1 Daily 3.7 lbs. meal and 2.2 lbs oil per cow.
2 May help overweight adults lose weight and fat, maintain weight loss,
retain lean muscle mass and control diabetes onset.
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| AGROFUEL FOR FARMING |
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| AGROFUEL FOR MILK HAULING |
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