Eastern Iowa Farmer Fall 2020

Ag Bytes
tangled. This will reduce the amount of airflow
around the crop, and farmers should
anticipate harvested corn will have higher-than-normal
moisture levels. Farmers
should talk with their local propane suppliers,
take advantage of early buying and
booking programs, and top off their tanks
now before harvest begins.
Planning Resources for Farmers
High-moisture corn must be dried before
the grain is stored in the bin to prevent
grain quality issues. The Iowa State University
Extension and Outreach Grain Drying
Economics Module (store.extension.
iastate.edu/product/Grain-Drying-Economics-Module)
helps farmers work
through corn drying/marketing decisions.
The Propane Education and Research
Council (PERC) has created a grain dryer
propane use calculator to help crop farmers
determine how much propane they may
need this fall. Farmers can access the calculator
at propane.com/propane-products/
grain-dryers/. Enter the number of crop acres,
the average anticipated yield per acre,
and how much moisture may need to be
removed from the crop to estimate how
many gallons of propane may be needed.
ISU’s Grain Quality Initiative also has resources
to help agricultural decision-makers
work through grain drying, storage and
quality considerations.
Planning Resources for Suppliers
The National Propane Gas Association
has developed an “ABCs of Supply
Preparation” checklist (npga.org/membership/my-npga/abcs-of-supply-preparation-051820/).
This tool guides suppliers
through demand, supply, logistics, storage,
and customer considerations to help decision-makers
plan their fall inventories.
Suppliers can track Iowa propane demands,
inventory levels and prices on
the Iowa Propane Trends and Statistics
website at https://quetica.com/propane-iowa/.
This public resource was launched
in January 2020 by the Iowa Department
of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and
Iowa Department of Transportation to increase
the visibility of key metrics that impact
the propane supply chain in Iowa.
Iowa Propane Stakeholders Group
In the fall of 2019, Iowa experienced
some propane supply challenges because
grain drying demands caused by the late
planting season coincided with an early
cold snap that increased livestock and
home heating needs.
Naig and the Iowa Department of Agriculture
and Land Stewardship convened a
group of propane stakeholders, including
the Iowa Governor’s office, members of
the Iowa Legislature, Iowa Propane Gas
Association, propane suppliers, and several
agricultural groups, to anticipate and
act to prevent future propane supply chain
issues.
If farmers or agribusinesses experience
propane shortages, they should notify
Paul Ovrom at the Iowa Department
of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at
515-242-6239 or paul.ovrom@iowaagriculture.gov,
or Deb Grooms at the Iowa
Propane Gas Association at 515-564-1260
or dgrooms@iapropane.org.
Your
CORN
Guy
Jeremiah Wiese
Funk’s Frontiersmen
Sales Representative
(563) 593-1904
1-800-267-6489
jrmhwiesefarms@gmail.com
Our Roots Are In Corn.
For over 80 years, the Funk family has been in the seed
business, and their commitment to providing personal
service remains unchanged. Funk’s Frontiersmen provides
seed at a great price for any size operation. The hinge pin of
our success is YOUR success.
Contact Jeremiah to view our vast seed catalog today.
‘‘
Being from Wheatland,
I know what grows in
Eastern Iowa. Funk’s
Frontiersmen hybrids
will bring you results.
Call me today!”
eifarmer.com fall 2020 | Eastern Iowa Farmer 125