Holdings Sustainability Report 2022 FINAL - Flipbook - Page 35
PLANET
Energy
Energy efficiency is not only a top priority to reduce the economic burden of production, but also to reduce
the negative environmental impact that comes with energy production. We are seeking energy solutions to
reduce the energy consumption of each barn and source renewable energy.
Electric Heat Mat Use Progress
Renewable Energy Research
Research performed by PIPESTONE has shown
that heat mat use results in a 57% energy reduction
when compared to traditional heat lamp systems.
In addition, 100% of heat mats are composed of
recyclable materials. The payback for a system of
the heat mat and controller is routinely within 14
months on systems using 21-day farrowing cycles.
The electrical savings per year with four foot mats
vs 125 watt bulbs averages $56 per year per stall.
PIPESTONE continues to explore on-site renewable
energy production as a viable and long term solution
to creating a sustainable system. Research into single
site wind turbines and solar panels has provided
several companies with innovative solutions from which
to choose. Early feasibility analysis has shown that with
the current state of advancing technologies, the return
on the investment is sitting in a smaller time frame than
ever before.
Another advantage of pig heating mats is in
the pre-wean mortality reduction. Several tests
have been conducted and validate a 0.5 pig per
litter increase with mats due to diminished crush
loss. With weaned pigs annually averaging $34,
saving 0.5 pig on 14 litters per year equals seven
pigs. There will be extra feed cost to produce
more animals, but a greater reduction in crush
losses means more marketable animals and more
producer-profits in the end.
RECS
Renewable energy certificates (RECs) are non-tangible
commodities that represent the property rights to the
environmental and social benefits of renewable energy.
One REC is produced for every megawatt hour (MWh)
of electricity generated from renewable sources such
as solar and wind. REC ownership is required to make
renewable energy claims.
In 2022, PIPESTONE managed barns purchased 37,625
RECs from our various energy providers. 21 operations
purchased enough RECs to boast that 36% of our
operations are run on fully renewable resources! The
funding from these RECs can now be used to develop
innovative technological solutions for renewable
energy development.
Pipestone Management currently uses heat mats,
or has plans to install heat mats, in at least 14 sow
farms in 2023. All new sow barns built by Pipestone
Management moving forward will have heat mats
installed in every farrowing room.
TOTAL OFFICES FARMS
Energy Usage
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
kWh of Electricity
86,978,222
100,529,358
95,117,337
98,334,226
100,369,259
Gallons of Propane
2,200,002
2,665,012
2,071,082
2,154,490
3,253,807
Gallons of Natural Gas
47,622
140,591
155,786
145,086
154,151
Total Energy in kWh
142,315,430
168,150,042
147,997,349
153,223,676
182,805,826
kWh of Electricity
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1,041,404
Gallons of Propane
N/A
N/A
N/A
Gallons of Natural Gas
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
60,348
Total Energy in kWh
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1,468,668
kWh of Electricity
86,978,222
100,529,358
95,117,337
98,334,226
101,410,663
Gallons of Propane
2,200,002
2,665,012
2,071,082
2,154,490
3,253,807
Gallons of Natural Gas
47,622
140,591
155,786
145,086
214,499
Total Energy in kWh
142,315,430
168,150,042
147,997,349
153,223,676
184,274,494
0
2023 Goals:
•
•
•
Continue to document total energy use and set usage goals by end of 2022.
Validate new technology and equipment to lower total energy use.
Have our sow farms on 50% renewable energy, reducing energy use by 5%.
2022 Annual and Sustainability Report
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