The use of LPG gas in the agricultural industry isn't anything new, but it is certainly increasing. LPG is a sustainable way of keeping farms operating, and it helps to promote sustainable development, reduces costs, lowers emissions and allows the agricultural industry in general to remain competitive.

LPG is applied in the agricultural industry in a number of facets, from temperature control to hot water and heating. It is portable, accessible and convenient and has been historically used for meat processing, pest control, heating and hot water, weeding, enhancement for plant growth, and as a substitute for diesel in machinery. Here are some of the ways it's utilised today:

Protecting and Drying Grain

You can't stop rain or humidity, but if you want to control the moisture that gets into your grain, LPG is a common fuel used for drying systems. Having full control over the storage and marketability of your grain, through moisture and temperature levels, will allow you to preserve your crops for longer. LPG dryers offer a greater range of temperature settings, they're fully automated and they have a long operational life. They're also versatile and you can use them on a variety of crops, including wheat, maize, potatoes, onions and barley, just to name a few. LPG dryers convert up to 90% of the LPG used into energy, decreasing usage costs and enhancing efficiency.

Hot Water Systems For Dairy Farmers

Having reliable hot water is essential on a dairy farm, with a particular need for continuous flow of hot water that's available fast, as required. Whether it's needed for washing the milking system, keeping the animals clean, or for washing equipment, LPG hot water systems are not only more efficient, they offer continuous flow of hot water. LPG systems are also cost effective - saving dairy farmers up to 25% on their hot water energy.

Heating Greenhouses Sustainably

Whether you're operating a greenhouse that's the same size as a small shed, or an industrial size building, if you want your plants to have the best chance of flourishing, LPG is an efficient solution. LPG heaters provide just the right amount of humidity and heat for effective development of crops, without adding moisture to the air. They produce CO2, which helps the plants grow, and they're energy efficient, safe and cost-effective.

Faster Weeding Systems

Spraying weeds with chemicals is a thing of the past for many farmers: not only is it time consuming, it's also bad for the environment. As such, many property owners are turning to LPG flame weeding as an efficient solution, eliminating weeds fast and effectively - without the use of harsh chemicals. LPG flame weeding systems use a direct flame or infrared burner to vaporise water in the plants. This generally kills the weeds within three days and is particularly ideal for owners of vegetable crops or grapevines.

As we move into 2021, it's never been more important for us to work in ways that are not only efficient, but also sustainable. LPG promotes both of these to enhance all aspects of farming, creating greater production and better peace of mind, while at the same time reducing costs and emissions.

To find out more about how LPG will work to enhance your production, get in touch with Elgas today.