Oilseed growers, led by the American Soybean Association (ASA), have raised concerns with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ron Kirk over the European Union’s (EU) Renewable Energy Directive (RED), particularly the part that is keeping American soybeans out of Europe for biofuel production. The ASA is asking to meet with Vilsack’s and …
Enzyme Helps Argentine Soybean Plant’s Oil Production
The world’s largest soybean processing plant, which produces biodiesel, soybean oil and meal, is using an enzyme that is helping increase edible oil production. This press release from Verenium Corporation says that Argentina’s Terminal 6 is using Verenium’s Purifine enzymatic degumming process at its Puerto General San Martin facility. Not only does the process increase oil yields, but it also …
Soybeans Gain from Biodiesel Incentive Renewal
The main feedstock for biodiesel in the U.S., not surprisingly, has gotten a boost from the renewal of the federal $1-a-gallon biodiesel tax incentive. The Inside Futures website says contracts for January soybeans have hit a new high for the year at nearly $14 a bushel … and could go over that mark: The soy complex has been led by …
Biodiesel, Ethanol Priorities for New ASA President
The new American Soybean Association (ASA) president is making biodiesel and ethanol his priorities. And this article from Corn and Soybean Digest says that shouldn’t be too much of a surprise from Alan Kemper, a fifth generation corn, soybean and cattle farmer from Lafayette, Indiana and the first person to hold both the ASA presidency and that of the National …
Soybean Growers Fly-in for Biodiesel
In an effort to convey the urgent need for Congress to extend the biodiesel tax incentive, American Soybean Association (ASA) farmer-leaders are participating in a biodiesel fly-in today to meet with members of Congress in Washington, D.C. Participating from ASA are grower-leaders Joe Steiner of Ohio, Bob Henry of Kansas and Darryl Brinkmann of Illinois. These ASA leaders are joining …
Biodiesel Board Offers Scholarship to Feb. Conference
They say education is expensive (but ignorance is even more so!), so our friends at the National Biodiesel Board are offering a scholarship to their upcoming conference to better educate students about the importance of biodiesel. One fortunate student scientist with an interest in biodiesel will get a full-ride scholarship to the biggest biodiesel event of the year – the …
Registration Open for Commodity Classic
Registration is now open for the 16th Annual Commodity Classic in Tampa, March 3-5. The annual event will be “smooth sailing” for soybean, corn, wheat and sorghum farmers and biofuels will be a big part of the event, as always. Growers who attend the 2011 Commodity Classic are sure to benefit from the value of attending a trade show with …
ADM to Construct Biodiesel Plant in Brazil
Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) is increasing its biodiesel presence in Brazil with its announcement that it will be constructing a second biodiesel plant in Joaçaba, Santa Catarina. The new plant will be adjacent to the existing ADM soybean crushing and refining facilities and will more than double ADM’s biodiesel production in the country. Construction is set to begin in …
Renewable Fuels Awareness Month in Nebraska
Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman visited Husker Harvest Days in Grand Island Wednesday to proclaim September as Renewable Fuels Awareness Month in Nebraska. Joined by representatives of the Nebraska Corn and Soybean Boards, Gov. Heineman said that renewable fuels are a critical component of energy independence and energy security, while providing economic growth and vitality in the state. “Nebraska is one …
Soybean Board-sponsored Tractor Pull Set for this Weekend
The United Soybean Board (USB) and the National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA) have teamed up for a tractor pull this Friday and Saturday, Aug. 27 & 28, at the Jaycee’s Cole County Fairgrounds. Some of the tractors involved in the pull will be using biodiesel, as will much of the support equipment. The video below is from last year’s event …