Cotton Farming - Editor's Note

Washington, D.C. (May 16, 2003) --- While propane makes up 10 percent of the total fuel use on farms, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has mapped out a strategic plan to increase agricultural propane utilization.

The "Propane Agricultural Roadmap" outlines the propane industry's commitment to working with farmers and the agriculture industry to reduce costs, increase productivity and meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations.

PERC's vision of propane in agriculture is "the agricultural industry will recognize propane as a preferred energy source by 2010, because it offers exceptional value." Propane's value is achieved by offering a unique combination of product benefits, including cost-effectiveness, efficiency and productivity, safety, reliability, portability, and environmental friendliness. These benefits can help farmers be more effective and efficient and, therefore, potentially more profitable.

"PERC is focusing its efforts and committing itself to providing education on employee safety, funding research and development of new and more efficient propane equipment and expand public awareness of the many uses of propane and its environmental advantages," said PERC Agriculture Advisory Committee Chair Paul Culver, who is also senior vice president of propane operations for the St. Paul, Minn., based Cenex. "We are excited and optimistic about new and advanced propane technologies that will offer the agricultural industry a competitive advantage."

More than 1.5 billion gallons of propane are used on more than 660,000 farms every year for many different applications. Propane provides effective and cost-advantage pest control, crop drying, poultry brooding, fruit ripening, and fuel for farm vehicles. "We are currently working to develop a 74-hp clean-burning propane engine that replaces a diesel engine in tractors," says Culver. "The new engine has lower exhaust and noise emissions, which will become critical when EPA enacts tough Tier 3 emissions standards in 2008."

One of the advantages of propane is that it is an extremely clean fuel. It emits fewer pollutants and burns cleaner than other fuels, thereby making it an excellent fuel for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. "Propane offers environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternatives to organic farmers," said Culver. Propane's ecologically friendly traits earned it a spot as an approved alternative clean fuel under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.

Propane is nontoxic and insoluble in water, offering minimal risks to ground water supplies and soil. Because it quickly vaporizes within a pressurized container and is released as a gas, it doesn't spill, pool, or leave a residue. "Propane can be used for treating crop diseases and could potentially eliminate or reduce the amount of pesticides, herbicides and insecticides used in fields," noted Culver.

To get more information on the "Propane Agriculture Roadmap," PERC and its programs to promote the safe and efficient use of propane in agriculture, contact the Council at (202) 452-8975 or visit www.usepropane.com.