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Northey: Plan ahead for propane needs

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey is encouraging farmers, rural residents and other Iowans to plan ahead for their propane needs for this fall and winter.

Last winter the price of propane jumped sharply, to more than five dollars per gallon in some locations, as a number of events severely tested the capacity of the current propane delivery system and infrastructure.  Northey says that while such a dramatic price increase seems unlikely this year, it is important for propane users to be prepared.

Northey says with the potential for large corn and soybean crops in Iowa, the demand for propane use for grain drying could be significant again this year. Fortunately, he says, crop maturity is significantly ahead of last year and slightly ahead of the five year average, which could limit some of the need for propane.

Northey recommends that farmers fill propane tanks for grain drying, livestock facilities, homes and machine sheds ahead of the busy fall season. He also suggests early and regular communication with propane suppliers.