National biodiesel conference offers invaluable information

Nebraska

Members of the Nebraska Soybean Board recently attended the National Biodiesel Conference in San Diego, Calif. It was an opportunity to learn and interact first hand with some of the most experienced experts in the industry. With over 40 sessions of jam packed information it was a chance to learn and understand where this rapidly developing industry is headed.

"Biodiesel is the fastest growing renewable fuel in the United States from 25 million gallons used in 2004 to 75 million gallons in 2005. The Nebraska Soybean Board invests heavily in the education and promotion of biodiesel and this conference allows us to help set priorities for the next year," said Greg Greving, chairman of the New Uses Committee and biodiesel user. "We are currently using a 5 percent blend on our farm and have found it to be a superior product. Biodiesel helps increase lubricity, extend engine life and reduce costly repairs. I would recommend biodiesel on your farm if you are not already using it."

Greg Anderson, past chairman of the United Soybean Board understands the importance of biodiesel becoming part of our nation's energy security. "This country is very dependant on foreign sources of oil; an average family of four in the United States today spends over $3,500 a year on foreign oil imports. This makes alternative fuel sources like biodiesel important to the energy security of our nation."

In the recent State of the Union Address, President Bush set a goal of replacing more than 75 percent of all oil imports from the Middle East by 2025 that puts biodiesel in a position to be a part of the solution. Anderson said enactment of the first excise tax credit, the extension of that credit, along with comprehensive energy and transportation bills have positioned biodiesel to significantly impact the energy supply.

Mike Korth, member of the new uses committee said the biodiesel industry is one of the many success stories that have come from the checkoff program. "If it wasn't for a group of committed farmers sitting around a table looking for ways to help improve the soybean industry this never would have happened. It has now evolved into an industry that all soybean producers that contribute to the checkoff can be proud of."

Biodiesel is a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources like soybeans. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. It can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics. Biodiesel is better for the environment because it is made from renewable resources and has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel. Since it is made in the USA from renewable resources such as soybeans, its use decreases our dependence on foreign oil and contributes to our own economy.

The farmer elected nine-member Nebraska Soybean Board is responsible for administering the state's share of the one-half of 1 percent national check-off on soybeans. The Nebraska soybean checkoff funds are invested in research, market development and education projects.

Date: 2/22/06