Farmers Turn to Propane for Reliable Winter Energy Needs

Nov 05, 2025
By Farms.com

Propane powers farm operations during winter

As extreme winter weather becomes more frequent and power outages rise, farmers are increasingly turning to propane as a reliable, on-farm energy source. Unlike electricity, propane operates independently from the grid, ensuring essential farm operations continue even during outages.

“Winter is when reliability matters most,” said Mike Newland, director of agriculture business development for the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). “Propane is stored on-site and ready when farmers need it, ensuring essential equipment and facilities stay powered— even in the face of widespread outages or fuel supply disruptions. Propane is the reliable energy partner farmers can count on all season long.”

A recent 2025 Department of Energy Report revealed that blackout risks could grow 100-fold by 2030. Propane provides farmers with peace of mind, especially for heating barns, greenhouses, and powering backup generators.

To prepare for winter, the Propane Education & Research Council recommends farmers take proactive measures such as:

Filling propane tanks early, before major storms hit.

Inspecting burners, lines, and regulators to avoid winter breakdowns.

Converting generators to bi-fuel or full propane systems where feasible.

Maintaining a 20–30% emergency fuel buffer for supply security.

Partnering with reliable propane suppliers familiar with rural service areas.

By planning early and ensuring their fuel supply and equipment are winter-ready, farmers can protect their livelihoods and reduce costly downtime.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-simplycreativephotography

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.