The American Soybean Association has submitted comments to the Senate Ag Committee, which held a hearing last week which focused on the energy component of the upcoming Farm Bill. ASA President Steve Wellman, a soybean farmer from Syracuse, Nebraska, pointed to Farm Bill energy programs that have a direct and tangible impact on the soybean industry—namely the Biodiesel Fuel Education Program and the Biobased Market Program.
According to Wellman, – the Biodiesel Education Program plays a vital role in helping expand marketplace acceptance and use of biodiesel as a low-carbon, renewable diesel replacement fuel. He says – it supports technical outreach efforts to engine manufacturers, truckers, and fuel marketers that will eventually allow the use of higher biodiesel blends in conventional diesel applications.
Wellman also spoke to the importance of biobased products as successful market vehicles for soybeans. He said – this is an effective and important program for promoting the emerging biobased industry, which has significant potential to enhance agricultural markets, displace foreign petroleum and fossil fuels, and contribute new “green” jobs to the economy.
Source: NAFB News Service