The Gas in a Field of its Own

With the bulk of this year’s grain harvest in store the prevailing view is one of mixed fortunes, in particular the price differential between milling and feed wheat. Farmers with their own drying facilities point to the £30 per tonne premium that they’ve been able to command and their position of strength in proving accurate moisture content at the milling plant.

It’s a well-rehearsed argument and one that is gaining wider acceptance. As more farms investigate the use of purpose built drying equipment, one fuel in particular is gathering a loyal following. Liquefied petroleum gas, or LPG, provides cleaner burning, convenient and precisely controlled power throughout the drying season.

And, says Kevin Houlden from the UK’s leading supplier, Calor, an added attraction is its range of applications across agriculture to power a wide variety of machinery.

“We’ve worked with farmers and equipment manufacturers over a number of years to the point where LPG can be used in most areas of agriculture,” he says. “It goes well beyond grain drying to the preparation of other crops as well as heating buildings, powering quad bikes and an increasing use in horticulture.”

The company has built up an impressive clutch of business contacts and relationships among equipment manufacturers, dealers and gas installers to make the move to LPG as easy as possible. ‘We’ve got an established reputation in the countryside, built upon our ability to work with growers to find the right solution,” he says. “It’s about more than just the fuel – we can advise on the right approach and, thanks to our established relationships with equipment suppliers and installers, customers can ensure a smooth and effective installation. Reliable deliveries are also paramount – our agricultural customers depend on the energy we provide and our delivery network is second to none.”

From the arable point of view, Calor supplies LPG in the now established field of crop drying ranging from grain, through to peas, beans, and oilseed. Modulating gas burners provide a warm air stream into the grain store where moving augurs rotate the crop to ensure even drying and precise control of moisture content. Calor LPG also provides energy for onion drying where the use of gas drying equipment ensures an even, golden skin and a fast turnaround from harvest to storage. Similar technology is used to dry garlic – Europe’s most northerly garlic farm, near Nairn, Scotland, uses Calor LPG to dry its crop.

In addition, Calor LPG is seeing increased use in horticulture. In the case of flowers, the fuel powers both heaters and cooling equipment to bring on the blooms, then lower the temperature to slow growth prior to picking. The fuel is used in the flower bulb market to dry bulbs in the same way as onions or garlic. Calor powered equipment efficiently and precisely heats glasshouses in the production of salad crops. Growers using Calor LPG have diversified into the production of Chinese leaf and oriental herbs in response to consumer demand.

The fuel also offers a viable alternative as restrictions are imposed on previously available chemicals such as methyl bromide, typically used to clear the soil prior to replanting and now banned. Gas powered burners apply heat to the surface of the soil destroying crop debris such as dead leaves and roots, and eliminating weed seeds and fungal spores.

A recent product development has taken this principle one stage – and several metres – further, with the launch of Richard Western’s six metre burner (see below). This allows farmers to remove potato haulms and set the crop without using sulphuric acid – due to be banned next year – as well as ensure the pre-emergence and post-emergence control of weeds for carrots and onions. The greatly increased 6m width of the flaming area allows rapid coverage and the new product, launched this year, is already in use at several potato and sweetcorn farms in eastern England.

Finally, arable farmers can utilise LPG for farm transport. Not only does Calor Autogas – automotive LPG – retail at half the price of forecourt petrol or diesel, allowing impressive economy for cars and 4x4’s, but LPG powered ATV’s provide convenient on-farm transport with no noticeable difference in performance compared to petrol bikes – see the example of Hamilton’s Farm below.

Beyond the arable sector, LPG is the fuel of choice in the brooding of game birds and poultry as well as the incineration of fallen stock. And, overall, LPG heats farm buildings, workshops, domestic properties and holiday rented accommodation and facilities, providing quality catering and heating from a single energy source.

“Most farmers are obviously aware of LPG and have experienced its application in one or more areas,” adds Kevin Houlden. “But when you consider the rise of LPG in its full range of agricultural applications, it’s impressive. The fuel has widened its usage to deliver an integrated package where farmers can effectively power their businesses from pretty much a single fuel source.”

CASE STUDIES

The Grain Farmer – Sotterley Farm, Suffolk – case study and contact details supplied separately.

The Onion Grower – Barton Place Farm, Suffolk – case study and contact details supplied separately.

The Manufacturer – Richard Western, Framlingham, Suffolk – case study and contact details supplied separately.

ATV case study and costs – Hamilton’s Farm, Haddington, East Lothian – case study and contact details supplied separately.

Further information can be found at www.lpgfarming.co.uk

Connect PR, Chubb Buildings, Fryer Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1HT.
Telephone 01902 714957. Email marksimpson@connect-group.com

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Ref: CG136
Released: October 2004