Planned propane delivery reduces delays in grain drying

October 1, 2019

Rain, snow and generally cool weather has hampered harvest across the Prairies for another year, prompting Co-op to advise growers to begin considering their propane needs.

“As the harvest season progresses, we’re expecting demand for propane to increase, particularly if these low temperatures and precipitation persist,” said Keith Morin, Director of Propane at Federated Co-operatives Limited.

“To prevent delays in propane delivery, we’re recommending that our grower-customers consider ordering in advance so it will be on-site when they most need it.”

The harvest this fall has been a challenge for growers, with the weather causing delays in many parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.  

“Right across Western Canada, our grower-customers are reporting harvest progress at nearly 20 per cent below the five-year average,” said Errin Willenborg, FCL’s Knowledge and Innovation Manager. “With significant precipitation over the weekend and in the forecast, we expect much of the 2019 crop to be taken off tough or damp, requiring drying or conditioning.”

The unseasonably wet harvest in 2018 prompted record-high demands for propane to use in grain drying, leading to delays in service from all propane suppliers, including Co-op. Propane sales are steadily increasing, particularly in northeastern Saskatchewan, but has not yet matched the demand seen last year.

“Propane sales are difficult to predict as demand can change suddenly, but we’ve added drivers and strategic storage facilities to be able to better serve our customers,” Morin said.