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AgriCulture
Energy information for the agricultural community
Summer 2011
‘Call 811’ Helps Keep Your Farm Safe For many farmers, the soil on their farm is rich with nutrients and minerals with occasional underground gas, oil and water pipelines. Excavations, terracing projects, fence post installations, subsoiling or installing drain tile can create safety hazards from accidently striking an underground pipeline. In addition to the physical hazard, this may lead to financial and legal harm. That’s why it’s vital to Call 811 before you dig to notify the utility company that may be affected by the excavation. The call and service are free. Call 811 was introduced in 2007 to connect people directly to their state’s one-call safe-digging system. One easy call gets free staking of underground utility lines and helps prevent injury and unwanted expense. Visit www.consumersenergy.com/ pipelinesafety for more information
Summer Rates
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ir conditioners, fans and refrigerators are all necessary equipment for modern farms uses and using them wisely can reduce energy use and energy bills. Using energy efficiently during the summer months can provide real benefits to farm customers.
That’s because electric rates from June through September reflect the higher cost of generating and buying power, primarily because of the greater customer demand linked to air conditioners and other cooling units. “The average residential farmer will pay roughly 16.8 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) in the summer months and 11.4 cents/kWh in the winter months,” said Hubert Miller III, senior rate analyst for Consumers Energy. Miller explained the link between the use of air conditioners and other cooling units with customer demand for electricity. The increased customer demand causes utilities to use more expensive generation units to meet the higher electric load. As customer needs increase, utilities must purchase energy from other sources to serve customers. In the winter months, the demand for natural gas and propane go up as heating units and other cold weather equipment are
used. With lower electric demand, utilities are able to run fewer and less expensive generating units to fulfill customer needs. Regardless of the season, customers can lower energy bills by making smart decisions about energy uses. Although most farms need ventilation and cooling fans and refrigerators, minimizing the amount of energy that each unit uses can save money. Keeping fans and air conditioners on timers or connected to thermostats will provide animals with optimal relief during hot weather and reduce electricity use. Also, proper cleaning of fans once a month can improve efficiency and reduce energy use. People who own more than one refrigerator should, if possible, combine items into one appliance for energy savings. Excess units, which are unnecessary, often can be overlooked as sources of wasteful energy. Unplugging these unused items helps keep costs down. Keep these helpful tips in mind during the summer months to make bills more manageable. To find more helpful tips on how to save money and energy this summer and yearround, visit www.consumersenergy.com/ eeprograms/.
Safe and Effective Electric Fences If
you have livestock on your farm, you probably use an electric fence.
An electric fence controls livestock by delivering a brief but uncomfortable current flow through the body that sends a message to the animal without causing injury. For this to occur, the animal must touch the fence wire and complete the circuit from the “hot” terminal of the fence energizer, through the animal to earth, and then back to the “ground” terminal of the energizer. Electric Fence System Components An electric fence fence consists of three main parts: • The energizer (fence charger) produces a high-voltage charge that lasts only a fraction of a second. • The fence is an extension of the highvoltage terminal on the energizer. Types of fence material depend upon the animal to be controlled and whether the fence is permanent or temporary. •T he ground rods return the current to the energizer. They are necessary to complete the circuit. Selecting the Proper Energizer Most early fence energizers were highimpedance (resistance) units that worked over short distances when they were weedfree. Dry soil conditions had little effect on the effectiveness of high impedance units.
impedance type that deliver a very high current to the fence for a very short time. Even when grass or other vegetation is touching the fence, the system still can deliver enough current to control livestock. However, if you skimp on the number of ground rods with a low-impedance energizer, the current delivered to livestock can be reduced drastically. Choosing an energizer that is labeled by a testing laboratory is recommended. Caution should be taken to prevent small children from contacting high-energy output electric fences. All individuals should take extra care to avoid head and neck contact with an electric fence. Grounding Is Essential One of the most important aspects of making sure an electric fence system works effectively is proper energizer grounding. If an energizer does not control livestock, the solution is not necessarily a more powerful energizer. Improving the grounding may be the lowest cost and most effective means of improving the operation of the electric fence system. • The grounding required by a fence energizer will vary depending on the soil type and moisture. • For an average soil, it is recommended that a 5 Joule low impedance charger be grounded with three, 8-foot ground rods spaced at least 10 feet apart.
Energizers today are generally of the low-
One method to check the adequacy of the earth return system is to measure the voltage between the energizer ground rods and a connection to the earth a few feet away such as to a screwdriver stuck in the ground. If there is a perceivable voltage between these points with the fence wire touching the earth, the energizer grounding should be improved. This voltage can be measured with a tester designed to measure high-voltage fences.
hen Thomas Jefferson said, “Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today,” he must have been talking about installing livestock waterers in the summer time. All kidding aside, summer’s warm temperatures make it the best time to install waterers. Richard Hiatt, executive manager of the Rural Electricity Resources Council, offers some pointers. “Before comparing any brand of livestock fountain, first spend time planning the best location, and the expected number of animals to be served” Hiatt said. “Placing the waterer away from the feed bunk keeps it cleaner, and a location sheltered from wind reduces heat loss”.
AgExpo | July 19-21, 2011 See the latest in agricultural equipment, supplies and services. Show hours:
Where to Install the Energizer An energizer should be placed at a location where it is possible to maximize separation of the energizer grounding and electrical wiring system grounding. The best place for the energizer may be outdoors away from animal buildings and grounded equipment. If an energizer is installed indoors, the high voltage must be taken to the outside using high-voltage lead cable (20,000 volt insulation is recommended). Electrical wire of the type used for building wiring, with 600-volt insulation, must never be used for this purpose.
The energizer must have its own grounding electrode located a recommended minimum of 50 feet away from any other grounds or metal objects in the earth. An energizer must never be grounded to the farm electrical system grounds, to the utility system grounds, to metal water pipes, or to metal objects in a building such as stalls, fences or dividers. Such improper grounding puts the metal objects and livestock in the electric fence earth return path.
Preventing Unintended Shocks
A standard fence circuit can use single or multiple wires with the animal contact made between the fence and the earth. In areas where the soil is sandy or dry, a path through the earth is not easy to obtain and a continuous ground fence circuit is recommended. The energized wire(s) are
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First, consider the amount of water the fountain needs to deliver, in terms of total animals served, and their daily consumption. The drinking bowl area and refill rate are key features. They must be matched to the needs of the animals, and the amount of time they will have access to the fountain. When a fountain is undersized, it can’t keep up to supply water fast enough, and only the more aggressive cows, horses, or sheep will be able to defend their place at the fountain. If there are too few animals, the water in the bowl is not refreshed frequently enough. It can become too warm and stagnant in the summer, or may freeze in northern climates during winter.
where it will be sheltered from winds, which can rob heat from the unit. For existing fountains in open areas, construct a simple wind-break to reduce heat loss dramatically. Designs that use floating thermal covers over drinking bowls may be required in colder climates. The booklet also explains other considerations, such as desirable features to look for on new waterers, tips on plumbing connections and required wire sizes for heating elements. It discusses energy-free waterers and offers a list of major manufacturers.
An improperly installed electric fence system can result in unintentional shocks to livestock at grounded equipment such as at waterers, feeders or even in a milking barn. The most frequent cause is improper grounding of the energizer.
Selecting the Right Livestock Waterer
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Mark Your Calendars
• Doubling the Joule output of the energizer would double the grounding needed.
Selecting a Waterer If your livestock do not have access to a continuous supply of ice-free water, it could be affecting their health and productivity. Modern livestock waterers can hold an advantage over open tanks, ponds, or streams. In summer months they keep water cool and algae-free, and in the winter they won’t freeze over and limit animal consumption. According to a helpful publication Livestock Waterers, Selection and Use, there are specific features to look for when buying a new fountain. If your present waterer is still operating well, there are ways you can make it more efficient.
Types of Fence Circuits
Waterer location also is very important. Locate the livestock fountain
alternated with grounded wire(s) connected to ground rod(s) near the fence energizer and at other locations. When an animal touches both an energized wire and a grounded wire, the intensity of the shock will be greater than when touching the energized wire and the earth. Connect the grounded wire to ground rod(s) and use the earth as a part of the return path back to the energizer to reduce lightning damage. Achieving reduction of lightning damage may require additional steps on both the fence and the power supply sides of the energizer. Michigan State University Extension Robert J. Fick; Truman C. Surbrook, Biosystems Engineering, Agricultural Engineering Department; William M. Bivens, MSU Extension, Jackson County
To order the 14-page guide for $8.50 (includes shipping), contact the Rural Electricity Resource Council at (937) 383-0001 or order from its website www.rerc.org.
Tuesday, July 19, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 20, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, July 21, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For 2011 exhibitor or visitor information, visit www.agexpo.msu.edu or call (800) 366-7055.
Farm Publication and Information Catalog To receive these FREE publications please call (517) 788-1456, or e-mail your request to
[email protected]. AV1 U nderstanding Neutral-to-earth and Stray Voltage
W1 A gricultural Wiring Handbook (quantities limited)
AV2 Equipotential Planes (quantities limited)
W2 E lectrical Wiring for Livestock and Poultry Structures
EE3 Dairy Heat Reclaimers
W3 A Guide to Electric Fencer Safety
EE6 Planning Electrical Systems for Dairy Expansions (quantities limited)
W4 Farm Safely with Electricity
EQ2 L ivestock Waterers: Selection and Use
W10 Customer Generation Connections
EQ3 A gricultural ventilation, fans, selection and maintenance EQ5 Four-wire Electrical Service for Farm Buildings (MAEC) EQ7 Dangers of Total Separation (MAEC) EQ8 Is Your Farm an Energy Hog or a Lean Machine (Hoard’s Dairyman) EQ9 A guide to Consumers Energy Land L2 Efficient Swine Lighting L3 S upplemental Lighting for improved Milk Production
W6 Electric Fencing Basics W11 S afety Tips Before You Build — A Quick Guide W13 S izing and Selecting Your Standby Generator (quantities limited) W14 Safe and Effective Electric Fences W15 Standby Power W16 S afe and Effective Electrical Animal Controllers W17 Standby Power Systems W18 O n-Farm Emergency Power Systems
Spring Clean Your Fans
Call Us for Help As your farm operation changes and grows, so will your electrical needs. By planning and anticipating power demands, you can ensure your electrical system won’t be overloaded. New construction or renovations also give you an opportunity to install safe and efficient energy measures.
irt and dust build-up inside the fans in your barn or shed could reduce their efficiency by up to 40 percent and raise your farm’s energy bill. That’s why fans should be cleaned and maintained once a month. Proper cleaning and maintenance ensure the fans in your farm are running properly and efficiently during the humid spring season and hot summer months. Fans properly cared for throughout the year have better airflow and less drag. They also produce a fresh and pleasant environment for animals and workers, and prevent excess moisture that can cause structural damage to buildings. To prevent serious injury to you and your workers, remember to unplug the fan or disconnect
power before beginning maintenance. Then remove all dust from controls and motors with small blowers, vacuums or cleaning utensils. Fan blades, shutters and inlets should be treated with a warm detergent solution to remove heavy layers of mud and dust. Before plugging the fan back in or re-energizing, make sure safety guards are in place and all parts are dried thoroughly to prevent shock, electrical shorts and injury. Your animals will appreciate it when you take care of your fans.
If you are in the planning, remodeling or expansion stage, call the Agricultural Services department for recommendations at 1-800-252-8658. And if you wish to upgrade, request new electric service, or are already under construction please call 1-800-477-5050.
Free Checkup Protects Livestock If you have a concern about animal contact voltage, please call Consumers Energy at 1-800-252-8658. We’ll conduct a free evaluation of your farm and provide an illustrated booklet that describes animal contact voltage sources, detection and maintenance steps to help prevent them from affecting your livestock. Visit us on the Internet: www.consumersenergy.com/farm.
Agricultural Services Department, PE-A100 Consumers Energy One Energy Plaza Jackson, MI 49201
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