La Niña is Here: Farmers Urged to Prepare Propane Supplies Ahead of Winter

Mike Newland with the Propane Education & Research Council shares how producers can prepare for winter weather and the benefits of propane.

NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD-TV)La Niña has arrived, which could mean cooler temperatures and more precipitation on your farm this winter. Still, some analysts, like University of Washington Atmospheric Sciences Professor Cliff Mass, say it is expected to be relatively weak this go around.

“It’s very clear right now, we are in a La Niña winter,” Mass said. “We will begin at a La Niña winter, and right now the forecasts are that we will phase into neutral conditions by the end of the winter. So, you know, sometime after the new year it will switch to neutral.”

According to Mass, the silver lining is that drought should not be an issue this season. While moisture also will likely not be a big concern this year, he warned we could see some interesting storms as a result.

“These kinds of years tend to be wetter than normal — gets to be a little bit cooler than normal — the snowpack tends to be good,” he said. “So, it’s a favorable pattern for moisture.”

With winter weather just around the corner, many operations will soon be turning to propane as a reliable on-farm energy solution. Farmers are being urged to prepare now ahead of the cold season.

Mike Newland with the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to share more on how producers can prepare and the benefits propane provides.

In his interview with RFD-TV News, Newland discussed the main advantages of propane when reliability is critical during extreme cold, offered recommendations for winter preparation, and highlighted the economic and operational benefits of using propane on the farm. He also shared a call to action for producers, encouraging them to make early arrangements to ensure their energy needs are covered before temperatures drop.

Related Stories
AFBF Economist Faith Parum provides analysis and perspective on the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program—what commodity growers should know and potential remedies for producers facing crop losses where that aid falls short.
Federal nutrition policy is signaling a stronger demand for whole foods produced by U.S. farmers and ranchers. Consumer-facing guidance favors animal protein, but institutional demand may change little under existing saturated fat limits.
Farmer Bridge payments are being used primarily to reduce debt and protect cash flow, not drive new spending. Curt Blades with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers joined us to provide insight into the ag equipment market and the factors influencing sales.
University of Nebraska President Dr. Jeffrey Gold joined us to share insights on building healthy habits and improving rural health in the year ahead.
Dr. Rosslyn Biggs with the Oklahoma State University Center for Rural Veterinary Medicine shares insight into biosecurity, preparedness, and animal health concerns facing livestock producers as New World screwworm outbreaks continue in Mexico.
Higher ethanol blend rates translate directly into stronger, more durable corn demand if regulatory momentum holds.
As the new year begins, both farmers and rural families are taking stock of their finances and planning ahead for 2026.
Strong export demand supports feed grain prices, but drought risk and seasonal patterns favor disciplined early-year marketing.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD-TV and The Cowboy Channel. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, adding a decade of experience in the digital side of broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.