Biofuels

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.

It’s rare to find one Midwestern academic publicly questioning the economic and environmental impacts of ethanol.

Incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth spoke of her legislative record and platform going forward if elected during the recent Illinois Agricultural Legislative Roundtable candidate forum.

Questions relating to several high-priority legislative issues were posed to U.S. senatorial candidates at a recent candidate forum. The Illinois Agricultural Legislative Roundtable forum featured incumbent Democrat U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Republican challenger Kathy Salvi.

When it comes to spectator sports, not many events can match the vibrant colors, the unique sounds and the raw power of drag racing. All of that and more was on display at the Shift-S3ctor Indy Airstrip Attack at the Marion Municipal Airport.

Through the supply chain disruptions and pandemic restrictions, 1.22 billion gallons of U.S. ethanol were exported to 110 countries in 2020-2021. This marked the fifth highest export total to date and utilized 433 million bushels of U.S. corn.

POET Bioprocessing has found a way to take a maligned greenhouse gas and recycle it into a usable product.

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood followed the “life of a soybean” on the Kindred family farm this past growing season, making his third and final visit with harvest underway.

The way in which the country reopens after the past 14 months of economic shutdown will impact how policy is shaped by the U.S. Congress.