Buying the fuel for farming in the UK is not only based on the fuel. It is also related to the type and quality of it with the relevant regulations and policies. It is also linked to the compatibility of the machine and concerns related to the environment. When you go to buy agricultural oil you also need to cheque the reliability of the supplier whether you are buying fuels like diesel, red diesel, different types of lubricants, and/or hydraulic fluids. The farmers and the contractors of the farming should make informed decisions while making the choice of their farming machines and their fuels.

With all these, you also should know how the farm oil should be stored and/or handled in a proper way. You have to cheque what are the technicalities linked to them. In addition, you need to verify what are the available services that the dealers should have to satisfy the customers. This is especially needed for the time of peak season. The fuel you have selected for the farming operations should be able to meet British Standards and should follow the rules of OEM or original equipment manufacturers.

The article will give you an idea about the main points and factors that you should be aware of while buying agricultural fuel in UK. This will make you more efficient and you will be prepared to face any positive and/or negative situation.

Things To Identify Before Buying Agricultural Oil In The UK

When you go to buy agricultural fuel in UK, you need to cheque whether the fuel is of the right type. It should be suitable for the machine you use for farming.

Certification Of Quality

In the UK the quality of a category of fuel needs some certifications. These certifications will demonstrate that the oil meets some of the specific levels of standards.

Choosing the oils that are certified: In the process when you buy agricultural oil you need to find out whether the oil is in a specialised form. The certification and specialisation is given by the Soil Association and ECOCERT. The certification can also be of BS 2869 and EN 590 with the ISCC or International Sustainability and Carbon Certification.

Considerations on specific needs of equipment: The fuel standards should also meet the needs of the farming equipment and machines. These will apply to the engines of the tractors, harvesters, irrigation machines and tools for tilling. The farmers need to verify the efficiency of the farm oil.

Fuel Delivery And Its Cost

The different forms of agricultural fuel in UK and their usage are also based on the process of delivery and the cost. The fuel is basically delivered in bulk and the price is based on the location where the fuel will be delivered.

Competitive range of pricing: The farm fuel purchase and usage is based on its competitive range of pricing. Here the fuel delivery company fixes the fuel price by looking at the price of the competitors. This is affected by several factors. These can be like the duty rates, the available discounts in bulk buying, and the type of fuel you are buying. For example, the farmers use red diesel as it has a low level of duty rates.

Options for delivery: In the UK when you go to buy agricultural oil you need to cheque the fuel delivery options of the dealer. This is applicable for fuels like white diesel, HVO, and/or red diesel. The dealers make the delivery by tanker trucks and/or pipelines. Some dealers work for local and some work for nationwide delivery. They also work for giving the delivery within the time frame of 24 hours or 48 hours.

Contract terms: The fuel dealers work with various forms of contracts. They are based on pricing, the forms of resilience, and flexibility. The contracts can be fixed-price, clause-related, and different variable-rate contracts. The other contracts can be added with deemed contracts.

User Testimonials And Customer Service

In a situation when you buy agricultural oil you need to cheque what are the online and offline feedbacks and testimonials the dealers have received.

Selecting a reputed supplier: You need to work on selecting the right kind and reputed farm oil supplier. In the UK there are many suppliers like Compass Energy, Crown Oil, NWF fuel, etc who have their best experience in dealing with farm oil.

Considerations on local suppliers: Also, cheque who are having the depots of fuel in the local area. The dealers who are local can give you delivery on time and can serve you better when you have an emergency need.

The best level of communication: The suppliers of agricultural fuel in UK should carry a reliable level of customer care operators. There should be a better level of communication between them and the users. The executives should have 100% availability and the best kind of communication skills.

Additional Factors To Know Before Buying Agricultural Oil

There are some additional factors that you need to verify for finding the suppliers of agricultural fuel in UK. Let’s cheque what they are.

Protection of equipment: In a situation when you buy agricultural oil you need to find that the equipment of the farming machines is not getting damaged. This happens when the fuel you insert is contaminated. For this, you need to work on regular check-ups of the machines and replace the fuel injectors. You also should work on using different kinds of fuel additives.

Long-term performance: The farm fuel that is used in the machine should make the engine work for a longer time frame. For this, all the important parts of the engine and the machine like the cylinder heads and crankshafts should be properly checked. The fuel that is used should be of the best quality and should be added with advanced kinds of technologies. In the modern farming process, the farmers also work with expanded levels of farming tools.

Sustainable practices: The process of farming and the use of agricultural fuel in UK should be added to many of the sustainable practices. They can be like non-tillage farming processes, the methods of crop rotation, and various organic forms of farming practices. This will also be linked with various hedgerow installations and managing the margins of the field.

Bulk buying: In the UK many of the users buy agricultural oil in bulk. This helps them to have a competitive range of pricing and reduction in the cost of delivery. Some suppliers deliver fuel like white and red diesel in bulk.

Farming activities that need fuel: Before buying agricultural fuel in UK you need to identify what are the farming activities that need the fueling of machines. These can be like the powering of tractors, harvesters, and various combines. The fuel is also used in different Ploughs, Rotary Tillers and other heating systems.

The type of boiler and other machines: Farmers in the UK use various kinds of boilers. They can be like biomass boilers and steam boilers. Biomass boilers are helpful in having sustainable solutions for heating. These boilers are specially used by farmers who are located in a few off-grid areas.

Seeking advice from experts: The farmers should take advice from the experts for better use of fuel. These are applicable when they consider using fuels like HVO and Shell GTL. There are methods of using such fuels that reduce the release of harmful emissions. The experts also advise using farm oil that is of premium grade.

Having special applications: Farmers sometimes purchase agricultural oil for specific uses. These can be like heating greenhouses and livestock buildings. They also use fuel to generate electricity.

Quality standards: The different forms of agricultural fuel in the UK should also consider the values of quality. For example, for petrol, it can be Super Unleaded which carries the Research Octane Number in 97 to 99, and Premium Unleaded which carries the RON in 95. The petrol can also be in the form of E10.

Use of fuel management systems: The farmers can also work with various fuel management systems. These are supportive to know what is the exact level of fuel inside the tank and how much more fuel is needed to make it full. They work for managing data-driven decision making. These systems are also used to prevent any kind of theft of oil.

Checks for volume and compatibility: In the UK the energy sources that are used in agriculture should be checked with its volume. This means that it can be easily applicable to various machines. The fuel volume can be checked by looking at its  flow with the support of a flow metre. This is linked with the fuel that is rebated.

Points To Take Care For Fuel Storage After Delivery 

After the process you buy agricultural oil you need to work on its proper storage. There are some important points you need to take care of for this.

Use of bunded tanks: For the storage and handling of farm fuel you need to keep it in a container that is called a bunded tank. These kinds of tanks carry an extra layer of cover onto it. It keeps the fuel more safe. This is applicable to those fuels that are hazardous.

Distant from water sources: You should keep the fuel tank 10 metres away from various coastal waters and inland. The tank should also be at least 50 metres far from the springs.

Fire safety: The use of agricultural fuel in UK should be prepared to be safe from the sources of fire. The tank should be kept in an open area and should be apart from the substances that can burn easily. There should be the availability of a clear protection plan.

Other regulations for farm oil storage: The additional requirement of preventing accidents from fuel storage is added with the proper level of construction of the tank and the use of dispensing machines. The farmers should be compliant with the ISO 9000 policies for managing fuel storage.

Control of Pollution Regulations: In the areas of the UK the storage and usage of farm fuel is derived from the rules of Control of Pollution Act 1991/1997. This is also derived from the Water Act 1989.

Wrapping Up

When you go to buy agricultural oil in the UK you need to work on understanding many of the factors. You need to cheque the reliability of the dealer and what are the legal concerns related to them. You also need to verify how your equipment is working.

The fuels can be of different types for the machines like various forms of engine oils, hydraulic oils, and transmission fluids. These fuels should be used as per the recommendations of the manufacturers.

If you buy the wrong kind of farm oil it can disrupt the smooth operation of the equipment and it can disturb the sustainability of nature. The fuel should also be disposed of properly when it is contaminated.

Always be aware of the current updates of regulations and concerns of sustainability while buying agricultural fuel in UK. You also should be prepared to know about seasonal demand and the ups and downs of the fuel market.