NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — Severe winter weather sharply tightened U.S. energy supplies, driving a record drawdown in natural gas storage and lifting heating and power costs across much of the country.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, working natural gas stocks fell 360 billion cubic feet for the week ending January 30 — the largest withdrawal ever recorded. The pull was nearly 90 percent larger than the five-year average for the same week and pushed inventories to slightly below normal seasonal levels.
Winter Storm Fern stretched from New Mexico to New England, boosting heating demand while freezing wellheads and pipelines along the Gulf Coast. Residential and commercial consumption surged nearly 29 percent above normal, while production dropped due to freeze-offs and shut-ins. The combination tightened supplies quickly.
Prices reacted immediately. The Henry Hub benchmark climbed to $9.03 per MMBtu, more than doubling week to week and running over $5 higher than a year ago.
Higher natural gas prices ripple through agriculture, affecting grain drying, irrigation energy costs, and nitrogen fertilizer production.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Cold-driven spikes in gas prices can quickly raise fertilizer and energy costs.
Tony St. James, RFD NEWS Markets Specialist
National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew discusses the urgent need for aid as farm families face mounting input costs and long-term market uncertainty.
October 17, 2025 01:08 PM
·
Support policies that keep U.S. biofuels at the table—marine demand could materially lift corn grind, crush margins, and rural jobs.
October 15, 2025 03:47 PM
·
China is not one of our top suppliers of cooking oil, according to USDA ERS data, but does export a lot of used cooking oil to the U.S. for biofuel production.
October 15, 2025 12:13 PM
·
Expect choppier basis and wider bids — hedge earlier, keep logistics flexible, and watch Argentina and India headlines for near-term opportunities.
October 14, 2025 12:37 PM
·
Treat storage as risk management and logistics, and budget to break even since export growth is unlikely to absorb bigger U.S. corn and soybean crops.
October 13, 2025 04:34 PM
·
The FAA’s proposed rule to allow drones to operate beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) could soon revolutionize how farmers and ranchers manage their land.
October 13, 2025 03:39 PM
·
Nick Andersen, Nationwide’s VP of Agribusiness Claims, shares tips for managing weather-related risks in agriculture using their new Hail and Wind Alert Program.
October 13, 2025 01:57 PM
·
President Trump has long supported a direct line from Alberta’s oil fields to the Midwest.
October 13, 2025 01:21 PM
·
Tidal Grow Agri-Science joins us to celebrate Global Fertilizer Day, sharing how innovation continues to drive American agriculture forward.
October 13, 2025 12:20 PM
·
