The growers of the two biggest biofuels feedstocks, corn for ethanol and soybeans for biodiesel, will once again host the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for their biggest meeting of the year. For the fifth time in a row, Tom Vilsack will deliver the keynote address to Commodity Classic, the annual convention and trade show for corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum …
Biodiesel’s Role in Bio-based Products
Director of bio-based products for the United Soybean Board (USB), Michael Erker, was one of the many attendees of the 2014 National Biodiesel Conference. He works with many bio-based products including biodiesel. He gives insights into what bio-based products that contain biodiesel include and shares how involved USB is in funding biodiesel research. “When we talk about bio-based products made …
Farm Polices Impact on Precision Ag
Member of the National Corn Growers Association Board and director of Western Iowa Energy, LLC, Kevin Ross, chatted with Chuck after the opening session at the 2014 National Biodiesel Conference. They discuss farm policy and how precision agriculture technology has impacted his farming operation where he raises cattle and grows corn and soybeans. Kevin shared that if we don’t move …
Growing Use of Technology for Growers
Commodity groups across the country also took interest in the happenings at the recent National Biodiesel Conference. Frank Legner, Legner Farms is a member of the Illinois Soybean Association and attended the conference to relay the update on biodiesel to growers in Illinois. He talks about how he uses precision agriculture on his farm where they grow 50/50 soybeans and …
Minnesotans Encouraged to Think Biodiesel
Minnesota soybean farmers are reminding their fellow Minnesotans just how much biodiesel has cleaned up the air they breathe. The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC), better known as Minnesota Soybean, launched a campaign that clearly illustrates the advantages of soy-based biodiesel in improving air quality, including the following video airing local TV and cable stations, as well on …
Eye on Biodiesel Industry Partnership Award
The Eye on Biodiesel Award for Industry Partnership was presented to Kirk Leeds, Iowa Soybean Association this morning. Kirk is Chief Executive Officer of the Association and has been a leader among soybean organizations in supporting biodiesel efforts since the industry’s inception. ISA’s support of the National Biodiesel Board over the years has allowed the industry to prepare and face …
Soybean Board Offers Winter Biodiesel Storage Tips
As the latest winter storm bears down on a large part of the country, the United Soybean Board is offering some cold weather tips for biodiesel. This post on Southeast Farm Press says the cold can cause problems for both biodiesel and No. 2 diesel, so there are some things you need to do in the way of tank maintenance. …
Minnesota Gets First Biodiesel Blender Pumps
Minnesota gets its first biodiesel blender pumps with some help from the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC). Staples Enterprises in Heron Lake has the pumps offering up to 20 percent biodiesel blends. “The store and the blender pumps have actually been in operation since January and we’re promoting biodiesel now during our fall celebration,” said Daric Zimmerman, Retail …
Biodiesel Essay Contest Offers College Cash
The American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest is giving some high school seniors a chance to earn some cash for college by showing their knowledge about biodiesel. The organization announced at the recent Education Minnesota Professional Conference in St. Paul, Minn. that high school seniors in the state could win scholarship money of $1,000 for first place and $500 …
Cavitation Tech Deal Good for Brazil Biodiesel
Cavitation Technologies Inc.’s (CTi) first Nano Reactor system sales deal could be a positive development for biodiesel in Brazil. CTi’s strategic business partner and licensee of the company’s vegetable oil refining technology, Desmet Ballestra Group (“Desmet”), entered into a sales agreement with a soybean oil refinery in Brazil, using CTi’s Nano Neutralization(R) Reactor System that processes approximately 500 tons of …