The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and American Soybean Association (ASA) sent a letter this week to Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, requesting a meeting before his department finalizes its review of countervailing duties on biodiesel imports from Argentina. The letter notes that Ross met with the Government of Argentina after issuing a preliminary decision in the review but has not …
Biodiesel Market in EU Opens for U.S. Soybeans
The European Commission has formally announced that conservation practices required for U.S. soybean production meet EU sustainability standards, and biodiesel produced from documented soybeans can now be used in the EU. The EU requires biofuels to meet a set of sustainability criteria outlined in its Renewable Energy Directive (RED). The U.S. soy industry has its own sustainability guideline, the Soybean …
Iowa Biodiesel Board Elects Leaders
The Iowa Biodiesel Board elected leadership during this week’s annual meeting in Des Moines. Tom Brooks, general manager of biodiesel producer Western Dubuque Biodiesel in Farley, Iowa, was re-elected to lead the organization for the next year. Doug Lenhart, vice president of procurement and logistics at Iowa-headquartered Renewable Energy Group (REG) was elected secretary. He replaces Dawn Carlson, Petroleum Marketers …
Record Corn and Soybean Forecasts
A record high soybean crop and overall corn yield are expected this year, according to the latest Crop Production report from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Up 4 percent from 2017, soybean production is forecast at a record 4.59 billion bushels, while corn growers are expected to decrease their production slightly from last year, forecast at 14.6 billion bushels. Average …
Back to the Biodiesel Future
Back in 1993, biodiesel was just an idea. But thanks to the efforts of pioneers like Doug Pickering, Kenlon Johannes, and Bill Ayers, it has become the industry it is today. Doug and Bill built the first facility to produce biodiesel – two 55 gallon drums on stands with a sump pump and a garden hose. Kenlon, who was with …
Censky Receives Biodiesel Pioneer Award
USDA Deputy Secretary Steve Censky was presented with the Eye on Biodiesel Pioneer award at the 2018 National Biodiesel Conference Wednesday. As the long-time CEO of the American Soybean Association, Censky was instrumental in the growth and advancement of biodiesel over the years. ASA’s primary focus as an organization is policy development and implementation of soybean farmer issues, including biodiesel. …
Minnesota Moves Forward with B20
In 2005, Minnesota became the first state in the nation to require all diesel fuel to have a blend of at least 2 percent biodiesel, known as B2. Minnesota will once again become a leader when it becomes the first state to implement B20 next year. “This state has been a leader in renewable fuels for the past 30 years,” …
MN Soybean Unveils Minnesota Tough Biodiesel Truck
The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council unveiled a DieselSellerz original biodiesel truck this week at the Minnesota Farmfest. The DieselSellerz is the “world’s largest diesel truck classifieds community,” with a crew that has become known for building and giving away tricked-out diesel trucks, as well as other antics, on the Discovery Channel show “Diesel Brothers.” The crew will be …
Biodiesel Interests Pleased with Senate Bill
The National Biodiesel Board and the American Soybean Association applauded the introduction of a Senate bill this week that would convert the blender’s credit for biodiesel to a $1-per-gallon production credit for fuels produced in the United States for three years and provide an additional 10-cent-per-gallon credit for small producers. “Well-crafted and efficient tax incentives can be powerful policy mechanisms …
USDA Predicts Record Soybean Acres, Less Corn
The first estimate for crop plantings this year by USDA is calling for less corn but more soybeans. According to the 2017 Prospective Plantings report, producers surveyed across the United States intend to plant an estimated 89.5 million acres of soybeans in 2017, up 7 percent from last year and a new record. Planted acreage intentions for soybeans are up …