Have you considered using propane as the primary fuel source in your farming operation? Propane is a reliable, efficient, clean-burning energy source you can use for tasks in the field and all around your property. This abundant fuel source is produced in the United States — approximately 830,000 U.S. farmers make use of agricultural propane for heating, irrigation, powering farm equipment and more.
The Benefits of Using Propane for Farming
Using agricultural propane offers a number of important benefits for farmers. Propane’s abundance means there are plenty of local suppliers that can deliver it right to the farm, which alleviates concerns about running out of fuel. Propane is also amazingly affordable.
According to the Propane Education and Research Council’s 2013 Propane Farm Incentive Program study, farmers who used propane to fuel irrigation engines lowered their fuel costs by 56 percent in comparison to those who used diesel-fuel engines. What’s more, clean-burning propane produces fewer greenhouse gases (GHGs) than diesel fuel, making it a more environmentally-friendly agricultural energy solution.
Propane Farm Incentives
Because propane is classified as an environmentally-friendly alternative fuel source, there are a number of financial incentives available to farmers to encourage them to switch to propane-powered equipment. The Propane Education & Research Council-sponsored Propane Farm Incentive Program can provide up to $5,000 to farmers who purchase agricultural propane heaters, irrigation engines, grain dryers and other equipment. There are also a number of government and state propane farm incentive programs including:
- Rural Energy for America: Provides government-sponsored grants and guaranteed loans to agricultural producers who purchase renewal energy systems and equipment.
- Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency: Offers a wide range of rebates and other incentive programs at the state level.
- Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center:Serves as a resource for data and tools that can help agricultural equipment fleet operators find ways to reduce petroleum consumption through the use of alternative fuels such as propane.
Equipment Upgrades You Can Make to Take Advantage of Clean, Economical Propane
There are a number of equipment upgrades you can make to experience the financial and environmental benefits of using propane in your agricultural operation:
- Irrigation engines: In addition to lowering fuel costs, propane-powered irrigation engines can reduce irrigation equipment maintenance costs by up to 48 percent.
- Agricultural propane heaters: Propane-powered space heaters emit 73 percent fewer GHGs, than comparable electric-powered units.
- Generators: Standby and portable generators that run on propane emit 25 percent fewer GHGs than electric models, while also providing easier access during power outages.
- Water heaters: Propane-fueled water heaters can reduce GHG emissions by as much as 39 percent in comparison to electric storage and tankless models.
- Pickup trucks: A number of propane-autogas-powered pickup trucks are now available that emit fewer GHGs than gasoline-powered models, without sacrificing torque or horsepower.
- Forklifts: Propane forklifts produce 12 percent fewer GHGs than gasoline-powered units.
Contact Foster Fuels to learn more about the many financial and environmental benefits of converting to agricultural propane in your farming operation.
