A Brighter, Cleaner Future

A Brighter, Cleaner Future

By Aaron Putze, APR

Harnessing the Benefits of Seed, Sun, Soil and Water for Iowa

I’m no chemist or engineer, but there are three things I know about energy: we need it, we need more of it and it needs to be more environmentally friendly.

Like most issues vexing the planet today, farmers and agriculturalists have a big role to play in helping solve them.

Whether it’s electricity for cars, blenders or iPhones; fuel for airplanes or airboats; oil for big rigs or small engines; or heat to warm buildings in New York City, farmers can provide.

Take to the roads this time of year and you’ll see that home-grown energy we need in its raw form.

Harvesting Homegrown Energy

Iowa farmers are harvesting large quantities of soybeans and corn (more than 500 million bushels of soybeans and 2 billion bushels of corn – or roughly 13% and 20% of the nation’s total, respectively). These important crops, grown with natural solar power, are converted into feed for livestock, food for humans and yes, cleanburning fuel.

Ethanol, a co-product of corn processing, is extremely well-known. Iowans have been fueling up with this home-grown energy for decades. You’ve likely seen the stickers promoting this locally produced fuel on the pumps at your favorite convenient store.

Energy derived from soybeans is lesser known by consumers. That’s because over-the-road cars and SUVs don’t burn it. Yet, its use is exploding in a host of other applications that will have a huge impact.

First, a bit about the soybean. Iowa ranks second nationally in the production of the legume.

A good share of all soybeans grown in Iowa are exported to far-off destinations, such as China. The remainder are processed locally at facilities in Iowa Falls, Mason City and Eagle Grove, to name just a few. The co-products of soybeans are meal and oil. The meal (roughly 80% of the soybean) is high in protein and an ideal ingredient for pig, chicken, turkey and fish feed. Soy is also a vital ingredient for human food.

Aaron Putze, APR, serves as Sr. Director of Information & Education for the Iowa Soybean Association. He was raised on a farm near West Bend and lives in Waukee with his wife Crystal and children Garrett, Grant and Jaelyn. (Photo courtesy of Joseph L. Murphy)

Taking a Bite Out of Emissions

Then there’s the oil. Once a backseat driver in creating soybean demand and profitability, oil now has two hands firmly on the wheel.

Why? Because Americans are demanding locally sourced, cleaner-burning fuel that takes a bite out of carbon emissions. While electric vehicles may be part of a long-term solution (just 2% of overthe-road vehicles in California are electric), biodiesel and renewable diesel (made from a variety of oils, including vegetable, tallow and animal fats) can reduce CO2 emissions now. Biodiesel is the most sustainable liquid fuel currently available. It reduces lifecycle greenhouse gases by up to 86%. Burning biodiesel also lowers particulate matter by 47% in older diesel engines and reduces smog.

These benefits combined with a plentiful supply of soybeans readily available combine to make Iowa the nation’s leading producer of biodiesel, with more than 400 million gallons annually.

These numbers are on the rise as commercial fleets, public transit and the nation’s aviation industry demand more cleaner-burning fuel. Biodiesel and renewable diesel markets accounted for almost 2 billion gallons of demand in 2013. Last year, those totals rocketed to nearly 3 billion. Demand is up 4.9% in 2021, exceeding 2020’s growth of 4.1%. And the increase last year occurred despite a nearly 8% decrease in U.S. diesel consumption. Given these numbers, new biodiesel processing facilities are already under construction (Shell Rock) and in the works (Alta).

In addition to benefiting the environment, biodiesel production is good for the economy and farmers. In 2020, biodiesel contributed almost $600 million in gross domestic product and $254 million in household income while generating about 4,500 jobs in Iowa. Biodiesel demand also accounts for 13% of the net market value of soybeans or $1.69 per bushel when the price farmers are paid for their soybeans hit $13.

There’s a lot of momentum in the world of renewables. By combining seed, sun, soil and water, Iowa farmers will seize it to the benefit of our economy and environment.