Using Propane For Agriculture: Top 5 Benefits

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Rural America has a long history with propane stretching back 100 years. Including over 50% of rural Americans use LP gas in their homes, and 40% also use it in their farming operations. With over millions of gallons of propane/year used in American farm country. It’s clear that farms find many uses for it beyond home heating and appliances.

There’s a reason over 800,000 farms across America regularly use propane in their day-to-day agriculture operations. Clean, reliable, and efficient American propane provides the power to plant, water, harvest, dry, store, and transport our national food supply to and from locations.

Michigan leads the nation in production of crops like asparagus, cucumbers, and cherries, to name a few. Our state’s agriculture contributes over $101 billion (yes, BILLIONS) annually to our economy, and second in diversity only to California.

 

Agricultural Uses of Propane

Here’s just a brief look at how today’s farmers are using propane throughout every phase of the agricultural process

Irrigation Systems

When the rain just won’t come, irrigation engines help farmers keep their crops hydrated. New propane-fueled engines are even cleaner and more efficient than older machines and offer high-tech features like remote monitoring and control systems.

 

Weed Control

As we learn more about the dangers of herbicides, propane flame weed control has emerged as a valid alternative. The heat ruptures plant cells, killing the weed. Not only is it environmentally friendly, but just as effective, and it allows farmers to return to the fields immediately.

 

Propane Grain Dryers

New high-efficiency propane grain dryers can remove the same amount of moisture from harvested grain while using barely half the thermal energy as previous older models.

 

Storage facilities

Propane makes an excellent fuel source for heating both your buildings and water supply for your plant and animal containment facilities, greenhouses, milking parlors, storage silos, barns, and more.

 

Standby generators

Even relatively brief power failures can reduce your output and create very costly interruptions in your production. Propane makes the ideal fuel for standby and backup generators because it does not degrade over time. Please be safe when using propane generators to power your home or farm.

 

Vehicles and transportation

Propane is an excellent fuel source for all kinds of farm vehicles, from riding lawnmowers and forklifts to tractors and even delivery trucks. Propane is cheaper to operate per mile, burns cleaner, and requires less vehicle servicing. Many vehicles can be easily converted from diesel or gasoline to propane.

 

Why Use Propane on Your Farm?

 

The advantages of propane are numerous and significant.

 

  • Cost savings

    In an economic environment where every dollar saved can make a huge difference. Propane-powered vehicles and equipment deliver equal or superior performance at reduced overall cost, when purchase price, cost of operation, maintenance requirements, and tax incentives are all considered.

 

  • Fewer emissions 

    Propane burns cleanly and efficiently, with 11 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than diesel and 24 percent less than gasoline. That’s great news for those who love sustainable agriculture and protecting the environment—in other words, all of us. Moreover, it will help you “future proof” your operations in anticipation of increasing state and federal regulations and standards.

 

  • Reliability

    When it absolutely, positively has to work, propane is there for you. It doesn’t degrade like other fuels, making it perfect for backup generators. Not only does it burns cleanly, but engine life also tends to be longer with propane equipment, and you won’t need to repair or service as often.

 

  • Flexibility

    With propane equipment, you don’t have to worry about running new fuel lines or connecting everything to the “grid.” Propane makes it easy to add extra irrigation or grain dryer whenever you need it or relocate your equipment where it’s more needed.

 

  • American made

    American made. Virtually all propane used in America is produced in America. When you use propane on your farm, you are supporting American products, American businesses, and American industry—and contributing to our national energy independence.