With current growing season trends in place, crops may be on track to finish on time in the field. That means propane supplies for grain drying going into harvest look good.

“Current trends are showing a drier season and more irrigation needed ahead of the 2020 harvest, which means more propane is currently being used for irrigation, but less is expected to be needed for grain drying,” says Mike Newland, director of agriculture business development at Propane Education and Research Council (PERC). “Regardless, it is a good idea to have conversations with propane suppliers now to ensure tanks are filled ahead of the harvest and winter season.”

With 80% of all grain drying powered by propane, having ample supplies on hand is crucial as harvest progresses.

Propane also is the power source of choice for building heat for hog farmers, as well as other farm structures. “Propane is a reliable and cost-effective building and water heat power source, because it provides continuous power independent of the electrical grid,” Newland says. “This means no worrying about sudden power outages, proximity to the power grid or a natural gas line, or peak pricing.”

Newland believes that propane power for water and building heating is reliable and consistent. And propane doesn’t degrade over time and is stable, so it can be used as needed.

Up in flames

The technology around propane weed flaming has been around since the 1950s when herbicides were not readily available, but it was not widely adopted, and little research was conducted at the time. Weed flaming equipment also is one of the newer technologies that has been researched in Nebraska and made commercially available thanks to assistance from PERC.

The organization worked with University of Nebraska researchers, including Nebraska Extension weed scientist Stevan Knezevic, to fund a study aimed at increasing the efficiency of propane weed flaming systems in organic cropping systems, Newland says.

“Results from this study showed that a hooded propane system increased heat concentration on weeds while reducing fuel use, which improved effectiveness and efficiency of propane weed flaming,” he adds.

Participants in the study found weed control levels approaching 95%. That original research led to advancements in the technology, making propane flame weeding more accessible and beneficial than ever before.

Now, weed flaming equipment is being employed by organic and traditional producers who are struggling to beat herbicide-resistant weeds.

“According to PERC field studies, flame weeding is up to 90% effective against weeds by using intense heat to rupture plant cells, for a highly efficient and organic alternative to herbicides,” Newland explains. “This technology is being used across the country, but there are several organic farmers and viticulture producers in California currently experiencing benefits of flame weeding systems.”

Learn more by visiting propane.com/agriculture.