Independence is one of the attributes of propane fuel. According to the Propane Education & Research Council, propane gives production agriculture more power over energy costs and needs. In 2025, new avenues for propane are coming down the pipeline for the farm, specifically.
Irrigation
“There’s going to be a new line of stationary engines coming to the market that will show up in power generation units and also as irrigation units, so I think both of those would have applications for Wisconsin,” says PERC’s Director of Agriculture Business Development Mike Newland.
Propane irrigation engines offer fuel savings of up to 45 percent, according to PERC. The fuel savings making the engines more efficient, more reliable, cleaner, and more cost-effective compared with diesel and electric-powered engines. While electricity can be turned off, leaving you unable to irrigate crops during critical periods, propane keeps producers in control of their crops.
Carbon Scores
Development is also advancing in the renewable propane space. While renewable propane is more popular on the West Coast, it will eventually make its way to Wisconsin, Newland says. Renewable propane can be used in the same way as regular propane. For a farm, renewable propane will help a farm reach a desirable environmental score.
“There’s going to be propane I think in the future made from waste products that will be negative carbon score, maybe even negative 200 to 300,” Newland explains. “If we ever get to the point where everybody is tracking the environmental stewardship around the farm, that will help you tremendously.”
Thermal Solutions
Propane can be used in thermal ways in production agriculture, such as flame weeding and soil steaming.
Propane flame weeding is a modern method that uses intense heat to rupture the cells of weeds, causing them to wilt and die, according to PERC. This targeted approach eliminates the need for chemical herbicides, making it a game-changer for organic farmers and conventional growers looking to reduce their reliance on chemicals.
Propane soil steam technology involves using steam to sanitize the soil, killing pathogens such as Fusarium, which is a problem in cereal grains. Soil steaming can also control pests and weed seeds, also reducing the need for chemical pesticides. Newland says Wisconsin is home to many specialty crop and organic producers that could benefit from this technology.
Learn more about propane’s role in production agriculture: https://propane.com/for-my-business/agriculture/
