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Propane powering the farm

An industry expert says advances in technology are bringing more uses for propane to the farm.

Mike Newland, director of agriculture business development with the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), says irrigation systems are a prime example.

“They’re bringing a new, heavier built engine to the marketplace that will be used in irrigation.”  He says, “It’ll also be used in power generation, especially on the farm.  Confinement buildings have to be able to turn the water on.  They gotta be able to run feeding systems.  They gotta keep air systems on to keep birds cool, and so on and so forth.”

He says ample supplies and stable prices make propane an attractive energy source.

“The grid’s not getting any more stable.”  He says, “We’re finding more and more opportunities to supplement the grid with prime power, or to at least back up the grid with backup units.”

Newland says PERC offers several thousands of dollars in incentives to producers looking to make the switch over to propane on their operation.

AUDIO: Mike Newland – PERC