Biofuels

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture held its 2025 Winter Policy Conference. Members adopted 16 policy amendments and 10 action items.

There were no changes in the U.S. corn and soybean balance sheets for the second straight month, despite expectations for higher corn exports and lower domestic soybean use.

Uncertainty in both commodity prices and input prices is making farmers’ already tough job even more difficult.

Farmers must advocate for themselves. That is a matter of fact.

From issues impacting the farm economy, including record costs for labor, interest and taxes, to trade and biofuels, there a lot of challenges facing farmers today. But there also are opportunities, said Caleb Ragland, president of the American Soybean Association.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency upheld the current April 28 implementation date expanding E15 access to Midwest states year-round while awaiting a permanent solution from Congress.

Other than a minor tweak in the wheat balance sheet, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s domestic supply and demand estimates for the major crops were unchanged, but there were downward movements globally in the report.

Hours after being sworn in as the new U.S. secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy took aim at the way the government regulates miles per gallon for cars and trucks — a principal way it regulates air pollution and climate change.

Adding sustainable aviation fuel to the list of products made from corn and soybeans may help increase profits for U.S. farmers.

Several environmental groups are suing California air regulators over their recent update of a contentious climate program, saying they failed to address the pollution impacts of biofuels.

U.S. farmers harvested the second-largest corn and soybean crops on record last fall, improving carries in the futures market and lifting the margin outlook for grain elevators storing corn and soybeans.

By far the biggest lender to U.S. farmers, ranchers and rural businesses is the Farm Credit System whose four banks and 56 associations hold nearly 50% of all debt in rural America.

Conservation practice adoption, pesticide regulations and biofuel tax credits are just a few of the issues for agriculture entering 2025.

Global soybean supplies that are already at high levels are expected to grow in the first months of 2025.

The general manager of locally-owned ethanol plant was the recipient of the Illinois Corn Growers Association’s Ethanol Award.

While recent actions may have led fans — and foes — of biodiesel, including soy biodiesel, to start writing the renewable fuel’s obituary, one biodiesel cheerleader isn’t ready to send flowers.

Corn farmers and the ethanol industry were recognized by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and United Airlines as a sustainable partner in lowering the aviation industry’s carbon footprint.

As soon as the large mahogany door in the congressional building was opened, the farmers were greeted with hellos and handshakes. “Do you want some Indiana popcorn?” the staff in Republican U.S. Rep. Greg Pence’s office proudly asked.

The annual High Performance Low Carbon Liquid Fuels Summit was held at Andretti Global headquarters. Stakeholders learned about the environmental benefits, economic potential and value of corn-based ethanol and soybean-based biodiesel.

The announcement of guidance on eligibility for the sustainable aviation fuel tax credit was met with both concern and optimism.

Federal policymakers have a problem: Their hope to make corn and soybeans the feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel hit a wall when the aviation industry ruled biofuel from either crop did not meet its “sustainable” guidelines.

The easiest way to win any game is to rig the rules. That’s what Big Ag and its loyal boosters at the U.S. Department of Agriculture appear to be doing to make sure their new project, sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF, flies.

Andretti INDYCAR has joined the B20 Club of Indiana — a group that supports biodiesel, renewable fuels and sustainable aviation fuel.

More supply, less demand, where do we go from here? Larger supplies of corn and soybeans and less demand will bring hard questions — and harder decisions — for farmers in 2024, according to a former Iowa State University Extension economist.

Usage increases weren’t enough to offset soybean and corn production hikes, pushing the projected ending stocks upwards in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s supply and demand report estimates Jan. 12.

There is a boom occurring for renewable diesel with several plants under construction in the United States.

Farm, aviation and biofuel groups voiced support for a science-based approach to measure greenhouse gas emission reductions in Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

The U.S. Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service released guidance on the Sustainable Aviation Fuel tax credit.

A strong crush demand market, tight supplies and continued demand from China gives soybeans a bullish potential that could be tempered by a large South American crop.

The U.S. export share of world trade has declined over the years due to increased global competition, making the expansion of biofuels all the more important.

A new generation of biofuels is on the way. The biofuel industry is shifting to renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel, said Chad Edwards, project leader at Corteva Agriscience.

2023 was a year of wins and continued challenges that will extend into the new year for the corn industry.

The Illinois Corn Growers Association thanked Rich Clemmons for over four decades of work representing agriculture in Illinois policy. Clemmons announced his retirement after supporting ICGA as a lobbyist since 2008.

During the Farm Progress Show, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski stood alongside farmers and biofuels experts to confirm ethanol’s role in lowering carbon and supporting rural economies.

Sixteen of the nation’s top corn grower leaders sent a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen encouraging her to adopt an emissions model developed by the Department of Energy.

The Illinois Soybean Association returns to the Farm Progress Show Aug. 29-31. ISA will be at Booth 605 exhibiting how Illinois farmers’ checkoff dollars are fueling progress for Illinois agriculture.

The Illinois Corn Growers Association teamed up with agricultural organizations throughout the state on Aug. 3 to discuss emerging markets and legislation impacting the industry.

Increasing productivity and profitability of AGCO customers is important for the company to meet the needs of a growing population.

National Ag Day was celebrated March 21 in honor of the many contributions the industry makes to America’s security and prosperity.

American Soybean Association and Illinois Soybean Association directors, alongside ISA staff, recently visited the nation’s capital to meet with legislators and to visit both the embassies of Taiwan and India.

Farmers are no strangers to providing the fuel that keeps our bodies moving. And for nearly 20 years, we’ve stepped up to help provide the fuel that keeps our vehicles moving, too.

The U.S. economy still has considerable momentum and is not currently on the verge of recession. However, economists have never been more pessimistic and there are very legitimate reasons for concern.

Everyone is feeling the pinch of inflation. Grocery prices have increased 21% from January 2020 to August 2022, and retail fat and oil prices have increased 30% — with soybean oil a key ingredient in frying and baking.

Just blocks from Midway Airport and a few miles from O’Hare International Airport, ag economist Dan Basse, asked the question: “How many of you want to fly in a battery-powered airplane?”

Illinois Soybean Growers was born to advocate for Illinois soybean farmers, providing them platforms to be heard firsthand, and constantly monitors legislative issues, opportunities and threats, providing farmers with information and resources.

The Illinois Soybean Growers recently met to set state and federal policy priorities for fiscal year 2023. Among many issues, the most pressing and largely discussed included biofuels, animal agriculture, farm bill, foreign trade, transportation and climate-smart agriculture.

Next year, Richard Guebert Jr. will turn over the reins of Illinois Farm Bureau to the next president. But as he started his 10th and final year as president of the organization, Guebert offered some food for thought to IFB members on politics and farming.

The Environmental Protection Agency proposed increasing the amount of ethanol and other biofuels that must be blended into the nation’s fuel supplies over the next three years, a move welcomed by renewable fuel and farm groups, but condemned by environmentalists.

By producing fuel using sources with lower carbon intensity than traditional petroleum-based products, the U.S. biofuels sector is well-positioned to play a major role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

ClearFlame Engine Technologies has created technology that modifies diesel engines, from Class 8 semi-trucks to farm equipment, to run on 100% renewable biofuels like ethanol.