You have a lot of energy requirements as a farmer, as well as many fuel options. You can choose from gasoline, fuel oil, diesel, natural gas, and more. However, propane offers many benefits you may not have considered. Below are some of the key reasons to choose this fuel source for all your farming needs.

Advantages of Choosing Propane to Fuel Your Farm

1. Price Advantages

Most propane sold in the United States is manufactured domestically. The prices, therefore, are relatively stable and predictable. Gasoline, on the other hand, tends to fluctuate with the global market, so severe price swings are common. Stable fuel prices will make it easier to plan your budget month-to-month. Moreover, many of the key types of equipment used in farming run more efficiently on propane than they do on natural gas. For instance, you may be able to cut some costs in half over the long run by using propane to operate your generators, grain dryers, greenhouse heaters, and other equipment, in part because propane produces more than twice the amount of heat energy as natural gas.

2. Environmental Impact

You can reduce your farm's greenhouse gas emissions by a considerable amount if you make the switch to propane. It’s a clean-burning fuel that lessens your carbon footprint and moderates your environmental impact because it produces only 139 pounds of carbon per million BTUs created. Compare that with 157 pounds produced by gasoline, 161 pounds produced by diesel, and more than 200 pounds produced by coal for the same amount of energy. In fact, propane is listed as a "clean fuel" in the 1990 U.S. Clean Air Act.

3. Availability

Because refueling must take place all over your farm rather than always at a central fuel depot, propane provides another key advantage. You can place tanks anywhere on your property to increase availability instead of being limited to pipeline access, as you are with natural gas.

Your affordable propane connection in Suwannee County is Farmers Cooperative, a venerable hardware store and propane dealer. Based in Live Oak, FL, they’ve been serving farmers and residents throughout the region since 1946. They also specialize in building materials, agricultural products, gardening tools, and hunting apparel. Visit their website to shop online or call (386) 362-1459 to ask about directions and store hours.