Propane suppliers in the United States are preparing for what could be a sharp rise in demand from farmers drying corn as the harvest gets under way across the Corn Belt, Michigan Ag Today reports.
A strong harvest can mean more propane burned in grain dryers, especially where corn has to be dried before it can go into storage. Michael Newland, director of agriculture business development at the Propane Education & Research Council, says supplies are good. "The propane industry continues to have more and more supply every single year, so supply is great," he said.
The constraint is delivery. "It is a fuel that does need delivered," Newland said, which is why grain drying is the one market that can throw the industry "a curveball" if heavy drying happens across the US at the same time. Suppliers are watching inventories, transport and the weather to make sure propane is where it is needed.
This year should look more normal than recent ones in parts of the region. "We've had a couple very dry corn years over the last couple years, but there's some parts of the corn belt that are going to be back to normal corn drying," Newland said.
Farmers are being encouraged to plan ahead, particularly if wet conditions raise drying needs. With combines running, having enough fuel on hand can decide whether harvest keeps moving and whether grain goes into the bin at a moisture level that protects its quality.
Photo: Andre Carrotflower / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Source: Michigan Ag Today
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