Dale Ludwig, Executive Director of the Missouri Soybean Association (MSA), was the emcee today for a major announcement in Kansas City, MO.

Cargill and MSA announced plans for a 40-million gallon per year biodiesel plant adjacent to Cargill’s existing soybean processing facility here. The plans are for the facility to be jointly owned by Cargill and Paseo Biofuels, LLC, a new entity that will be owned by Missouri soybean farmers.

It’s expected that if all proceeds according to plans the facility will begin production next year. To get to that point they have to first complete a $24 million equity drive which kicks off today.