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Lack of propane slows corn harvest even more

Farmers across the Midwest are losing precious time waiting for propane so they can resume harvesting corn.

Southeast Minnesota farmer Brennen Toquam says he’s fortunate because their farm is close enough to town to tap into a natural gas pipeline.

“That’s been pretty nice, but I have heard horror stories. I’ve heard about a guy who was told he couldn’t get any more propane for two weeks, and other guys being on 40 percent allocations and whatnot. So it’s definitely going to be a problem this year.”

The Blooming Prairie corn and soybean producer tells Brownfield the issue isn’t supply, it’s location.

“From everything I read, it sounds like we’ve got enough propane in the country, it’s just not in the right spot. I’ve heard of loads coming out of Kansas, Illinois, even Baudette, Minnesota (and) guys going up there to get it. So it’s just a crazy situation.”

Toquam finished harvesting soybeans a week and-a-half ago and says they’re about 40 percent done with corn.