Propane: The Perfect Fuel for Iowa Farms

A farmer’s work is never done.

Whether it’s making fresh beds for livestock, shoveling manure, maintaining and fixing equipment and buildings, irrigating and fertilizing, and so many other responsibilities, Iowa farmers cram a lot into each long day.

That’s why propane is embraced by the farming community. Propane and propane-powered farm equipment and vehicles can help cut costs and maximize the efficiency of your work.

Propane works all around the farm

Iowa has a diverse agriculture industry. Just about everyone knows that we’re the largest producer of corn in the nation. But we produce your bacon and eggs, the cream in your coffee and the oats in your oatmeal.

And propane can help all those types of farms. Here are just some of the ways propane can work for you and your farm:

• Livestock barn heating. Many farmers use propane-fueled building heaters in their operations. This is a valuable addition for farmers who need efficient heat. Keeping animal containment areas like hog and chicken structures heated during the cold winter months is just one of the ways propane helps on the farm.
• Irrigation engines. The new propane-fueled engines are more efficient than older propane models and can provide farmers with an immediate savings in fuel costs compared with diesel or gasoline. Plus, propane-fueled irrigation engines are better for the environment and are already compliant with the EPA’s Tier 4 emissions regulations.
• Grain dryers. Harvesting early, while the crop retains small amounts of moisture, reduces grain field losses. The extra grain harvested, can more than make up for the cost of propane drying. New propane-fueled units distribute a very precise heat, which ensures that the grain dries evenly, resulting in a high-quality yield.
• Generators. When the power goes out, your barns will stay lit, ventilated and warm more efficiently than any other source of power for a generator.
• Heating for greenhouses. Cold snap? No problem. Propane heating systems for greenhouses will keep your plants safe. And the new propane heaters offer more efficiency for lower costs.
• Water heaters. Just like in your home, propane-powered water heaters are more effective and efficient than other fuel sources.
• Orchard heaters. Protect your apple harvest. Today’s propane orchard heaters keep the warm air down among the trees more efficiently.
• Flame weeders. Propane also fuels flame weeders for weed control. Reduce your need for herbicide-based weed control. A flame weeder is more effective, doesn’t pollute and, unlike herbicides, you don’t have to wait after treatment to get back to work in the field.

Clean and green

You can help protect some of Iowa’s most precious resources — our air, soil and water. Propane’s uses all around the farm can help you use fuel more efficiently and reduce emissions. And you don’t have to worry about spills.

Your local Iowa propane provider can tell you more about all the ways propane can make your farm work better. There are also incentives to help Iowa farmers who want to switch to propane-powered equipment.