Energy audit of an English farm

The energy ratio for a food-producing process is defined as the energy outputted in the form of crops, animals and wastes to the quantity of commercially supplied energy invested. This ratio should well exceed unity because of the harnessing of insolation during the growth of plants. This approach has been applied to a single lowland mixed-farming business, for which the problems associated with the use of fossil fuels have been examined and energy-thrift opportunities identified. In addition, the environmental impacts of fuel use on the farm are discussed.