September 15, 2023

The corn crop will soon be coming in, and some of that grain will need to be dried prior to bin storage.
Mike Newland, director of agriculture business development with the Propane Education & Research Council, says the propane industry tracks both yield projections and the outlook for moisture levels of that crop.
“We’ve got a 23-year dataset, and we’re looking at moisture as it compares to the previous year, the five-year average and that 23-year history,” he says. “What we’re counting on is a very average drying season across the Midwest. … I think we’ll see ‘normal’ usage. Last year was a light usage on propane per bushel of corn. I think we’ll be up from that on a per-bushel usage.”
Newland is confident that propane supplies will be good this fall, as only about 40% of supply is used in the U.S., with the remainder ending up in the export market.
Even with that confidence in the ample supply, Newland suggests that farmers have a conversation with their supplier — if they haven’t already — to prepare for this fall’s needs. “We want people to have that conversation when there’s no stress, no time constraints,” he says. “Talk with your local propane supplier. How many gallons you’re going to need, roughly, plus or minus. And then let them know what your plans are: When you’re going to start. But always take that first fill when you can for the grain dryer. It takes that first big rush off the system.”
PERC offers a Grain Dryer Propane Use Calculator, where producers can plug in numbers of acres, average yield and percentage points of moisture desired to crop from the grain to get an estimate of total gallons of propane needed for the fall.
Check out this video with Newland at this year’s Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Ill.
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