ISA hosting ‘Breakfast + Biodiesel’ events in October to promote on-farm use of soy-based biodiesel

This harvest season Illinois Soybean Association will provide a well-deserved hearty meal as a “thank you” to Illinois farmers for their long harvest hours, but also to encourage them to fuel their farms’ bottom lines with biodiesel. The week-long road trip will include four stops at Illinois grain elevators including Central Grain Co. in Belvidere, Roanoke Farmers Coop in Roanoke, Premier Cooperative in Thomasboro, and M&M Service Company in Litchfield.

Specific dates are as follows:

• Oct. 12: Roanoke Farmers Coop in Roanoke

• Oct. 13: Premier Cooperative in Thomasboro

• Oct. 14: M&M Service Co. in Litchfield

• Date TBD: Central Grain Co. in Belvidere

At each stop ISA will provide a breakfast burrito or sandwich, coffee, a flier promoting biodiesel, and a packaged soybean-snack option. The goal is to reach fuel decisionmakers by educating farmers and gauging their perceptions of biodiesel and the benefits of making the switch.

“Biodiesel is a win for Illinois farmers,” said Andrew Larson, ISA director of market development. “Not only does it reduce each farm’s carbon footprint, but it’s using a product that supports their bottom line. Using B20 biodiesel blends and above add more than 10 percent to the price of soybeans. The quality of biodiesel today is also better than ever. B20 can be used in diesel engines with little or no modifications, and with proper fuel management just like with any diesel fuel.”

ISA hopes these events will educate farmers and overcome preconceived notions about biodiesel including quality and equipment-integration challenges. B20 and lower blends are a drop-in replacement for petroleum diesel and can be used in any diesel vehicle without any modifications.

The Illinois Soybean Association checkoff and membership programs represent more than 43,000 soybean farmers in Illinois. The checkoff funds market development and utilization efforts while the membership program supports the government relations interests of Illinois soybean farmers at the local, state, and national level, through the Illinois Soybean Growers.