This week as the 2025 Farm Progress Show kicked off in Decatur, Illinois, John Deere announced the approval of B30 biodiesel use across its entire portfolio of Tier 4 John Deere engines, including tractors, combines, and application equipment. During the show, all John Deere equipment operated in the company’s Ride and Drive area was running on B30 biodiesel.
Prior to this week’s announcement, all Tier 4 John Deere engines were approved for B20 biodiesel and RD100 renewable diesel, with all Tier 3/Stage III A and lower tier engines approved for biodiesel blends up to B100. In addition, all John Deere spark ignition turf and utility equipment is approved for E10 ethanol blend. John Deere is also exploring the use of higher ethanol blends in future engine solutions, including the development of a concept 9.0L ethanol engine that runs on E98. Customers interested in incorporating higher renewable fuel blends including B30 into their operations are encouraged to consult their fuel supplier.
As an Illinois soybean farmer and first vice president of Clean Fuels Alliance America, Rob Shaffer is pleased with the decision for both the farmer and the fuel producer. “It’s great for the American farmer because if a combine is cutting soybeans, we can take those soybeans and crush them and make oil and then turn around and put in the fuel tank,” said Shaffer, who also serves on the board of the American Soybean Association.
Shaffer says anything to increase demand for soybeans is important right now. “We need all the demand we can get, you know, without a China trade deal, whatever we can do to be domestic and lower our dependence on foreign oil, whether that ethanol going into gasoline or biodiesel going into diesel that extends the life of those oil products.”
FPS25 Interview with Rob Shaffer, Clean Fuels (5:26)