Potato Grower

Diggin' In Diggin' In Five reasons producers should consider propane-powered irrigation Logical Choice IRRIGATION | By Michael Newland 40 POTATO GROWER | MAY 2021 There has never been a better time to consider propane, and the choice could be even more valuable for your operation and bottom line than you realize. Here is a breakdown of five of the top reasons to con- sider propane-powered irrigation engines: LOWER UP-FRONT & LONG-TERM COSTS Being a producer is not easy. All the equipment necessary to get the job done — and done well — is far from cheap. Because these costs add up so quickly, produc- ers must carefully consider not only the purchase costs but the long-term costs of any piece of new equipment. Propane-pow- ered equipment costs 20 to 40 percent less than diesel engines for comparable power, but observing the total cost of ownership is where propane engines really outshine competitors. Propane burns cleaner and leaves fewer deposits on engine compo- nents, which leads to fewer maintenance issues and an extended engine life. Addi- tionally, propane engines reduce fuel costs per hour by about 45 percent compared to diesel. The PERC-sponsored Propane Farm Incentive Program is another way producers can save even more on the purchase of pro- pane-powered equipment, with incentives of up to $5,000 in exchange for real-world data. REDUCE EMISSIONS, EASILY MEET TIER 4 STANDARDS As the U.S. continues to make the shift to- ward more renewable and environmentally friendly energy sources, American-made propane is a leader in this clean energy rev- olution. Propane produces 43 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than using an equivalent amount of electricity generated from the U.S. grid system. Propane-powered engines also produce up to 24 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline, and 11 percent fewer emissions than diesel engines.

• Cover