Energy analysis of advanced collective farms in North China

Abstract An energy analysis of 14 advanced north China collective farms was used to examine the production properties of this type of agricultural system. Energy inputs from fossil fuel derived sources (fertilizer, pesticides, machinery) approximately balanced energy outputs of food grain and livestock to State markets. Crop net production was approximately 40 × 106 kcal ha−1 year−1, which is slightly less than U.S. corn production under good management. About 50% of the produced organic matter is re-cycled, with 60% of the re-cycled energy used directly as crop residues and green manure. The remainder is channeled through consumer populations.