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Soybean checkoff salutes biodiesel success, optimistic about fu
As spring field work and crop planting gets underway, the United Soybean Board and soybean checkoff encourage farmers to use soy biodiesel in their tractors, vehicles and other diesel-powered equipment . Biodiesel helps increase engine lubricity and provides other diesel engine benefits. With increased availability throughout the United States, it offers a great alternative to petroleum. Since 1990, the soybean checkoff has been the major supporter of biodiesel research and promotion. U.S. soybean farmers had a vision to develop a renewable fuel made fromSoybeansthat could ease dependence on foreign oil, increase engine performance and build a competitive new market for their crop. U.S. soybean farmers collaborated to develop and promote biodiesel use among each other and especially among all diesel users. And, as the industry recognizes National Biodiesel Day (celebrated on March 18, in honor of Rudolph Diesel's birthday), soybean farmers will be thinking of ways to enhance the current success of their product. "U.S. soybean farmers have enjoyed plenty of success in our industry over the years, and biodiesel has to be one of the most notable feathers in our cap," says USB Chairman Eric Niemann, a soybean farmer from Nortonville, Kan. "Farmers have been true champions regarding promotion of biodiesel to fuel suppliers and diesel users across the countryside. We helped form the National Biodiesel Board which continues to drive biodiesel research, promotion and help pump this fast-growing renewable fuel into the nation's petroleum infrastructure." From working with the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Renewable Energy Lab and the Department of Energy on engine and health effects testing, U.S. soybean farmers are building a quality assurance program. It is with such programs that NBB and the soybean checkoff continue to make strides regarding biodiesel awareness, performance and quality. With NBB estimating over 225 million gallons of biodiesel used in 2006, U.S. soybean farmers know that there's considerable future potential. Industry representatives from across the soybean value chain joined together last fall to create a coalition called Soy 2020. The effort assessed possible scenarios regarding the future of the soybean industry through the year 2020 and developed strategies to address uncertainties. After evaluating scenarios, Soy 2020 members noted that reducing the dependence on foreign oil is essential and that biodiesel will remain a certainty through 2020. To promote the benefits of biodiesel, USB has worked with NBB and Qualified State Soybean Boards to improve availability. This year's campaign focuses on biodiesel quality and performance. The campaign highlights the recommendation of purchasing biodiesel from fuel marketers that are certified under the BQ-9000 program. BQ-9000 is a NBB quality-control program and encourages biodiesel manufacturers and marketers to participate. Currently, 17 companies are accredited producers, which represent about 40 percent of the biodiesel industry's capacity. Farmers and other general diesel users continue to ask, "How will biodiesel perform in my engine and what's the cost?" Diesel engines require few or no modifications when running on biodiesel blends. It can be easily blended with petroleum diesel at any level. The renewable fuel also lowers harmful emissions and decreases U.S. dependence on foreign oil. Research also shows the industry will boost local economies by producing over 39,000 jobs in the U.S. by 2015. Plus, with a federal tax incentive in place, biodiesel can be priced competitively with regular diesel. "As soybean farmers, we understand the importance of promoting our product to fellow farmers and other diesel users," says Niemann. "To keep ourselves competitive in the future, we will have to continue to partner with NBB, QSSBs and industry to increase demand for biodiesel. We know that 5 of 10 soybean farmers use biodiesel. We won't rest until that number is 10 of 10." USB is made up of 64 farmer-directors who oversee the investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. Checkoff funds are invested in the areas of animal utilization, human utilization, industrial utilization, industry relations, market access and supply. As stipulated in the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soybean checkoff.
0 None Date: 5/24/07
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