For More Information:
Paul Spooner, Osborn Barr
314-236-6967
paul.spooner@osbornbarr.com
Gregg Walker, PERC
202-452-8975
gregg.walker@propanecouncil.org
Propane Enhances Efficiency of North Florida Farm Operation
WASHINGTON (Nov. 7, 2012) — The Propane FEED (Farm Equipment Efficiency Demonstration) program makes using a propane-fueled irrigation engine even more cost-effective because of an incentive of up to $3,000 paired with its portability and low fuel costs. The Propane Education & Research Council recently expanded the FEED program, a demonstration initiative that tests the performance of new propane-fueled equipment and offers incentives in return for reports from the field about the performance of the products.
“When comparing propane to other fuel sources, it’s more efficient because of the price of propane. It’s reliable, and its portability makes irrigating easier,” Brandon Hewett, owner and president of J&J Gas Service in Mayo, Fla., said. “Using the incentive through the FEED program is like finding a $20 bill in your pants’ pocket.”
Propane irrigation engines can cost considerably less to buy and operate than diesel irrigation engines. Farmers can sign up for the Propane FEED program by visiting www.agpropane.com/FEED and calculate their potential costs savings when switching from diesel to propane through the cost comparison calculator. Environmentally, propane-fueled irrigation engines produce up to 24 percent fewer greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than gasoline and 11 percent fewer GHG emissions than diesel engines.
Keith Shaw, a corn farmer from Mayo, Fla., uses a propane-fueled grain dryer because of its efficiency, environmental quality, handling costs and the economical fuel price of propane. Now, with the help of the Propane FEED incentive program, he has saved more money on a new grain dryer and is able to run a more productive operation.
“I bought a grain dryer because it’s cheaper to dry my corn on the farm rather than outsourcing, and it makes my crop easier to market,” Shaw said. “The $5,000 incentive obviously helped me save up front, and the cost savings on propane fuel helps me run a more efficient operation.”
PERC’s vision is that the agricultural industry will embrace propane as a preferred energy source that offers cost-effectiveness, efficiency and productivity, reliability, portability, and environmental friendliness. For more information on PERC and its programs to promote the safe and efficient use of propane in agriculture, call 202-452-8975 or visit www.agpropane.com.