Iowa Soybean Association President Randy Miller and District 8 Director Warren Bachman stand in front of the team buses. (Photo: Iowa Soybean Association / Joclyn Bushman)
Hawkeyes, Cyclone Team Buses Powered by Homegrown Biodiesel and Iowa Soybean Farmers
August 31, 2023 | Brock Johnston
Ankeny, Iowa — Biodiesel produced with Iowa and Midwest-grown soybeans will fuel the University of Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State University Cyclone team buses throughout the 2023-24 school year.
The sponsorship kicks off this weekend with the start of the college football season. It’s courtesy of the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA), powered by the soybean checkoff, with support from the Iowa Biodiesel Board (IBB).
“Biodiesel continues to generate market demand for soybeans and offers the universities a reliable supply of clean-burning fuel,” said ISA President Randy Miller. “Reducing carbon emissions is a huge priority for universities, making biodiesel an ideal fuel product for our state’s two largest universities.”
“It’s another example of how ISA is truly driven to deliver for soybean farmers, the environment and the teams we enjoy rooting for,” the Lacona farmer added.
The Hawkeyes and Cyclone team buses will travel more than 100,000 miles during the upcoming year, creating additional demand for soybeans.
The soybean oil market share has sharply increased with the expansion of bio-based fuel usage. In addition to job creation and emissions reductions, converting the oil component of soybeans into biodiesel also supports Iowa’s thriving agriculture industry and helps farmers weather difficult economic times. By increasing soybean oil value, biodiesel supports 13% of the price per bushel of soybeans. This equated to $1.78 per bushel in 2022. It also lowers the price of soybean meal, a key ingredient for livestock producers and the food supply.
Iowa farmers harvested an estimated 587 million bushels of soybeans in 2022. Every bushel harvested again this fall will enhance Iowa’s standing as the nation’s top-producer of biodiesel.
Using biodiesel to create mutually beneficial outcomes is the best and most efficient way to build markets said Grant Kimberley, ISA senior director of market development and IBB executive director.
“Biodiesel promotions on the team buses and inside the venues on game days will grow awareness of the role soybean farmers play in improving our air quality and strengthening America’s energy security.”
To learn more, visit iasoybeans.com.
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Funded by the soybean checkoff
The Iowa Soybean Association (www.iasoybeans.com) is “Driven To Deliver” increased soybean demand through market development and new uses, farmer-focused research and results, timely information and know-how and policy initiatives enabling farmers and the industry to flourish. Founded in 1964 by farmers to serve farmers, ISA is governed by a board of 22 farmers to advocate on behalf of the state’s 37,000 soybean producers, including more than 15,000 ISA farmer members and industry stakeholders.
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