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Concerns of propane availability during a wet harvest

Prospects of a wet fall are raising concerns about propane availability.

CHS director of propane marketing Dennis St. Aubin told Brownfield in July inventories are slightly below normal, mostly because of increased export business.

“Production has not been lagging behind anything we’ve seen in the prior two or three years, where we have had ample supplies of propane.  But this particular year, the opportunity for propane gallon to leave to other markets has been expedited the last six months.”

He says propane prices have remained fairly steady, but are vulnerable to demand spikes resulting from wet harvest conditions.

“With the time-frame we’re working with and inventories we’re dealing with, we’re anticipating market prices are going to become a little bit stronger as we head towards fall.  So we encourage customers to fill tanks early and make sure the inventory is in the tank.”

Brownfield ag meteorologist Greg Soulje is predicting a wetter and cooler weather pattern for much of the Midwest in September.