Farm/Agricultural Propane Uses

Because propane can go virtually anywhere, it is a perfect option for farm uses. Blackhawk Propane supplies propane for agricultural applications throughout our Stateline rural regions. 

Propane by many is thought to be used mainly for backyard grills, but that has been far from the truth for farmers and the agricultural business.  Propane has been used in farming and the agricultural business since the 1920’s. It has a variety of uses and with improvements in technology and looking at different options for use it’s use has grown dramatically since then.

Farm Uses

Propane is used on the farm to help control weeds, insects and microbes; protect food and crops through harvest, storage and processing; manage farm waste materials; and most recently, it’s being used to power heavy equipment and farm vehicles.  Even the good old farm truck can use propane due to recent technological improvements.

Many farmers in our area use farm propane tanks to power dryers for corn or soy beans. Propane can also be used for tobacco curing, poultry and pig brooding, stock tank heating, space heating in greenhouses and frost protection in fields and orchards. Propane also fuels farm equipment from tractors to generators and pumps.  Propane is ideal for fueling energy-efficient irrigation pumps, standby generators and for a wide range of heating applications, as well as food refrigeration.

Propane is used for Thermal Agriculture. Thermal agriculture uses heat from propane to protect crops from the cold that can damage or kill crops. It is also used to eliminate weeds and dangerous pathogens that seriously affect crops and even livestock. Although thermal agriculture focuses mainly on pest control since it can sanitize without the use of pesticides, it has still many other farm and agricultural needs. 

Crop and food conditioning is used to protect crops against insects and helps to remove weeds and also reduces the dry-down time when harvesting. That allows farmers to be more efficient when harvesting their crops.  It can assist the farmer to harvest faster, sometimes earlier and much easier when done properly.

Nutrient management is another example where propane can be used for the agricultural industry. It is one way to help manage farm waste. Farm waste is a growing concern for farmers that have large livestock confinement operations. Propane is a clean burning fuel that is commonly used to help control and further use farm waste.

In fact, propane is used on 80% of all farms in the United States.  It has proven to be safe, reliable, efficient, and clean burning.  It is a multi-purpose energy source and is often also used for the residential needs of the farm.  It helps to heat, cool and cook. No wonder so many farms use propane for their agricultural and home needs.