Potato Grower

66 POTATO GROWER | JANUARY 2018 Diggin' In Diggin' In Diggin' In Diggin' In Diggin' In Diggin' In ENERGY | Industry Report A highly effi cient, cost-effective way to power your farm Propane Can Do That Farmers must rely on a variety of equipment to operate their farms, requiring the use of power or fuel. Propane is a clean, American- made fuel that conveniently meets increasing emissions standards while remaining powerful, effective, and cost-efficient. An increasing number of new generation propane-powered equipment is now available, allowing farmers to rely on propane as their go- to fuel source to power their farms. Propane can power a variety of farm applications, including irrigation engines, grain dryers, building heat, forklifts, power generators, flame weeding systems, vehicles and more. IRRIGATION ENGINES Propane-powered irrigation engines include the latest technological advancements and features, making them a great choice for farming operations. These high-performing engines can provide up to 300 horsepower of continuous power. Propane irrigation engines produce significantly fewer emissions, allowing producers to easily meet Tier 4 emissions standards requirements without the need for complex engines with expensive diesel exhaust fluid and filters. Farmers who switch to propane irrigation engines cut costs on original purchase price as well as fuel, operation and maintenance costs. Established in 1987, Shenandoah Dairy is a large, family-owned farm and dairy operation in Live Oak, Fla. The company milks about 3,300 cows annually and grows more than half of the cows' feed on site with corn, sorghum, oats and ryegrass forages. It currently keeps 2,000 acres under irrigation year-round and harvests, stores and feeds 45,000 tons of crops annually. After upgrading the majority of its 23-pivot irrigation system to Tier 3 diesel engines or electric motors, the company experienced performance issues and electronic problems that adversely impacted the farm's bottom line and emissions goals. "I was spending more time driving out to check [the engines] to see if they were working, or driving around to get parts when they break, burning more fuel and producing more carbon emissions than before," says Ted Henderson, vice president of Shenandoah Dairy. After discussing options with Todd Lawrence, general manager at the local farm supply outlet, Farmers Cooperative, Henderson decided to purchase a Ford 6.8-liter, propane-powered irrigation engine from Engine Distributors, Inc. "I thought it would be hard to make the conversion to propane, but they knew everything about what I was trying to do," says Henderson. "Propane already burns clean and meets all the specifications. There was nothing to do with it other than get it there and get it into place." The engine's purchase price was $6,000 lower than the same Tier 3-compliant diesel model; the company also received an incentive through the Propane Farm Incentive Program sponsored by Propane Education and Research Council (PERC). Henderson estimates

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