Farms that rely on propane for heating or to run their equipment know how crucial it is to have a reliable supplier. Running out of fuel suddenly is more than just a nuisance — it’s something that can jeopardize your entire business.
Shipley Energy is proud to offer farm propane delivery to farmers across our service area. We service a significant portion of Pennsylvania and Maryland and are constantly growing to serve new customers. We provide predictable pricing, convenient delivery, and service that works around your busy schedule.
Get Started
Enter your contact details below, we’ll get in touch, you’ll be back to running your farm in no time!
“Reliable propane supply is essential for us to be able to provide a comfortable and healthy environment for our turkeys. With Shipley Energy prompt delivery and service is always just a call away with the ability to talk to a real person and not just a answering service. The remote tank monitoring with automatic delivery is a easy way to ensure you never run out of propane.
Shipley Energy is the only propane supplier that I recommend to my turkey growers.”
– TJ Leedy, Plainville Farms
Our long-standing commitment to meeting farmers’ propane and overall energy needs goes back decades. Since our founding in 1929, Shipley Energy has steadily developed into a total energy company without ever losing the touch of a family-owned business founded on the values of honest service and dedication to the businesses, farms, and families we serve each day.
With our years of experience providing affordable energy solutions such as propane for farmers and fuel co-ops, to significant portions of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and beyond, we have strong ties to the areas we serve. We also have a deep understanding of the energy markets available to our customers. This means you can count on us to act as your energy partner today, tomorrow, and into the future.
For Mid-Atlantic farmers, especially those who want to work with a local company they can trust, the experience and insights we bring to agribusinesses is unparalleled. And that’s good to know since the Propane Education and Research Council estimates there are over 820,000 U.S. farms presently using propane gas as an energy source for their irrigation and farming equipment.
Propane is a clean, affordable fuel whose popularity is on the rise. So making the switch to propane makes even more sense when you have full confidence in your fuel supply — and supplier.
Pennsylvania’s and Maryland’s agricultural communities are highly diverse. Our customers in this sector include poultry, cow and swine farms, crop farms, fuel co-ops, and mobile service providers. Whether you need an occasional top-up or dedicated wholesale service, we’ll provide fast and safe on-site or mobile delivery. Our team works around the clock and can provide emergency service if necessary.
If you run an agribusiness, you don’t need to get reminded of how busy your schedule can get. For corn, grain, and other crop farmers, running propane powered generators, heating systems, and grain dryers can be a near round-the-clock responsibility come harvest time. Depending on the size and type of farm you operate, your fuel needs can fluctuate greatly throughout the seasons.
Fortunately, at Shipley Energy, we know from experience how to tailor our services to seamlessly meet your fuel needs year-round. It takes a great deal of time, effort, and money to properly run a farm, so we’ve put together several pricing and service options to meet your energy needs without breaking your budget.
Read on to learn more about our economical propane pricing.
One size does not fit all, especially when it comes to farming, that’s why we offer several pricing plans to match the way you do business. Want the freedom to work with other suppliers in the future? Order one-time delivery for no-obligation, no-commitment service. Want to enjoy a great rate and predictable budgeting? Sign up for a fixed plan or enjoy protection against sudden spikes with a collared or maximum price option.
Propane is clean-burning, affordable and efficient. It is largely domestically produced, which means there is a readily available supply at all times. There is also evidence to suggest that it creates fewer harmful pollutants than diesel or gasoline.
If you already rely on propane in your farm, you likely already know these facts. If you’re considering making the switch from electric heat or investing in LPG-powered forklifts or other equipment, get in touch with Shipley Energy to learn more about the benefits of working with us.
Along with propane, we offer many other fuels for farm delivery — including diesel off-road, diesel highway, diesel exhaust fluid, and gasoline. Plus, if you suddenly run low, there’s no need to worry, because we offer 24/7 emergency fuel delivery service.
Our farm fueling solutions are extensive. We offer farm equipment fueling backed by computerized tracking that gives you detailed reports on your fuel consumption. Also, we offer both storage and skid tank fueling so you’ll always have sufficient fuel on hand for when your business needs it.
Propane, or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), can be a powerful tool on any farm. It is a clean source of energy that helps the planet and your bottom line. By using this naturally occuring gas, you could see energy costs reduced significantly. Farmers reported savings of up to 50% on an irrigation system alone after switching from diesel.
Reduced energy costs are just one benefit of propane. It can also have a positive impact on the environment and the American economy, along with being reliable, available, and flexible. There are many agricultural uses of propane. Let’s take a look at how propane can impact your agribusiness.
As a farmer, you have a lot of energy costs to consider. The type of equipment you have, the energy prices in your area, and the efficiency of the whole system are a few factors to think about. Whatever you can do to reduce energy costs can help bring in more profits and provide quality products to your clients.
You can often find agricultural propane for lower costs than gasoline without sacrificing performance.
Farm propane solutions can also contribute to clean energy efforts. Your work depends on the climate, so we probably don’t need to tell you how vital it is to reduce greenhouse emissions and use substances that are less harmful to our environment. LPG checks both boxes. It is a non-toxic, non-poisonous, colorless, odorless material that doesn’t hurt the soil or water. The emissions from propane are also significantly cleaner than those of gasoline or diesel machines.
Not only does propane help the planet, but it can also futureproof your agribusiness by helping it stay ahead of strict regulations. Many emissions standards are seeing tighter limits and pushing for cleaner options. An LPG-fueled farm can keep you well prepared for these changes. Plus, you support an American-made industry. Almost 97% of all propane used in the U.S. comes from North America.
If you aren’t already using propane and are worried about the costs, don’t be. There are a variety of government incentives in place to encourage clean fuel adoption. The most noteworthy is the Propane Farm Incentive Program, which offers up to $24,000 for some propane equipment purchases — but we’ll talk about that later.
All our team members and drivers undergo regular training to ensure they can complete any delivery safely. Not only does this minimize risk to you, but it also helps us run a more reliable and more efficient business overall — which you’ll benefit from in the form of lower prices and more predictable service.
Find out why we’re the farmer’s choice for propane delivery by contacting our commercial team today!
Contact UsWe’ve discussed some of the advantages of propane, but let’s dive into those aspects and how they specifically help in agriculture.
Production, irrigation, harvest processing, and general maintenance can all benefit from propane fuel sources. Below are some of the applications of propane in agriculture.
Irrigation is a vital component of any crop production. A propane engine requires little additional maintenance and can offer significant reductions in energy costs. It may also be half as expensive as a comparable diesel engine and more efficient. When it’s time to keep your plants hydrated, you don’t want to put up with inconsistent power. Propane offers dependable fuel for hiccup-free irrigation.
Flaming crops is a great way to remove weeds and insects without adding potentially harmful herbicides and insecticides. It also doesn’t over-till the soil and replenishes it with the nutrients from burning. This procedure is especially common for organic growers and burns the cell walls of the weeds. If you damage the cell walls, the plant can no longer take in water, and it will die. Another beneficial side effect of this process is that it also kills bugs in the high heat. Dangerous insecticides can stay off the crops.
In cold weather environments, a propane heater can keep crops from getting damaged by frost and low temperatures. It’s one of the oldest methods of frost protection. This process, primarily used in orchards and fields, may combine with other protective methods, such as using wind power to disperse the heat. Heaters may be pyramid-shaped, dotted throughout a field. Others may be in place on a frost dragon. Though it sounds like something out of a medieval fantasy book, a frost dragon blows hot air out on either side of a tractor with powerful engines, reaching distances of up to 200 feet. This distance is enough to cover a couple of rows in an orchard and keep them warm enough to stave off frost damage at night. Alternatively, pyramid-shaped heaters uniquely move the air, so less gets lost to the atmosphere. They link to an underground piping system, making them less labor-intensive to care for and refill.
Propane can power grain dryers, too. When it’s time to speed up the process and move your harvest through the system, propane can help make it happen. LPG-powered dryers are often more efficient — possibly up to 50%! — and modern tanks can provide features like remote monitoring. They may even offer more consistent results. Another bonus? Propane can’t contaminate the crops, since it is clean-burning.
Just as you can use propane to heat your house, you can also use it to heat your ag buildings. In a climate-controlled barn, you can keep the animals warm year-round through brooders and forced-air heaters, making them healthier and happier. During their younger years, this can be vital. In greenhouses, your plants will be warm, and so will their water supply. By controlling the temperature through propane, you may see fewer diseases and improved plant quality at lower costs. If you have a remote operation, propane may be easier to obtain as well, providing dependability for this vital aspect of keeping plants and animals safe and happy.
Propane heat is especially desirable for this process, which requires meticulous monitoring and adjustment of temperature and humidity. LPG is easy to change and can be more consistent than oil or gas. It is in place for almost 70% of tobacco production, replacing traditional wood fuel methods. Propane’s clean-burning attributes are beneficial here, as well, since it doesn’t contaminate the tobacco leaves. Other combustion sources may drop soot or other particles on them.
A tankless water heater uses propane or another gas to deliver consistently hot water throughout an agribusiness. Whether you need to wash equipment, crops, or animals, a propane-powered water heater can provide warm water at a higher efficiency. Plus, they take up less room than traditional water heaters. Since it doesn’t store the water, a tankless water heater sees less corrosion. Water gets heated on demand, only taking what is necessary, so you may also see less waste from standby energy loss.
Propane generators free you from the constraints of gasoline power. Sometimes in emergencies, gas can be hard to find, or pumps may not be working. Propane stores well for long periods without deteriorating, in both large and small quantities. The intermittent use of a generator also makes the clean aspect of propane more appealing, as it won’t solidify or contaminate the generator after periods of disuse. A generator can be portable or standby and range from less than 10,000 watts to over 45,000 watts. You can use LPG to keep your farm running in a power outage, which could make a huge difference when your product is on the line, especially in bad weather.
Propane is both cost-effective and safer than other types of fuel when used with industrial machinery like a forklift. With propane, you don’t have the same safety concerns associated with flammable gasoline or diesel fuel. LPG releases significantly fewer emissions, which allows you to use it indoors or out. It is also much quicker to refuel, since you can swap out a cylinder without waiting eight hours for the electricity to recharge.
Entire fleets can use propane as a more environmentally friendly fuel source for cars and trucks. Some can run strictly on LPG, while others may have a dual system that allows for the use of both propane and gasoline. You may even be able to retrofit some vehicles to run on propane power. Next time you need a new truck or work vehicle, consider one that can run on propane. Its low emissions, easily available fuel, and gasoline-comparable features make it an excellent choice.
Commercial mowers do well with propane, too. They may see lower maintenance and fuel costs, along with a comparable, if not superior, performance. With gasoline, you’ll have filters and worn parts that require your attention, interrupting work and taking up time and money. Propane runs cleaner and doesn’t have as many maintenance requirements. A propane mower may have a carbureted or electronic fuel injection engine. The fuel injection engine has more significant reductions in emissions and greater fuel efficiency.
Since you can store your propane on site, you don’t have to deal with being connected to the grid. This dependence could result in outages or inconsistencies. With propane delivery, you can get refills automatically or as needed, and you have the flexibility to use your fuel in any way you see fit. If you want to add a piece of equipment or use a new type of heater, you have the freedom to do so. You won’t have to stay within reach of the places where your gas line connects. Also, propane won’t go bad. So if you’re not sure you’ll use it right away, it will be just fine for a while. You can have less frequent deliveries and use it according to your schedule, regardless of how varied it is.
Two factors make investing in propane a simple process. First, propane-fueled machinery is typically more economically priced than its gasoline- or diesel-powered counterparts. Secondly, incentives are available for those willing to use LPG.
The Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) provides funds through the Propane Farm Incentive Program. This program assists farmers in the form of a rebate if they commit to providing photos and other data to PERC about the performance of the machinery. They’ll track information such as fuel consumption, operational hours, and savings. Between incentives like this and the lower costs of fuel and the equipment itself, switching to propane isn’t nearly as expensive as it may seem.
If you decide propane is the right move for your Mid-Atlantic farm, or you already use it, let Shipley Energy be your propane provider. We tailor our services to your business and your fuel needs. However you choose to use propane, we can deliver it safely and reliably. We even have a 24/7 emergency fuel delivery service in case you find yourself in a bind.
As a family-owned company since 1929, Shipley Energy offers reliable, predictable pricing for a service that can see a lot of variables. To see how Shipley Energy can provide you with this efficient, clean energy, contact a representative today at 855-743-0557. And if you’re sure about propane, you can even reach out to schedule a delivery now.
Contact us to learn more about our agricultural propane solutions or schedule a delivery.
Contact Us