Hawkeyes, Cyclone Team Buses Powered by Homegrown Biodiesel Courtesy of Iowa Soybean Farmers

September 1, 2021

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 2021-22 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 generates market demand for soybeans and offers the universities a reliable supply of clean-burning fuel,” said ISA President Jeff Jorgenson. “With a focus on reducing carbon emissions, biodiesel is an ideal go-to 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 farmer from Sidney added.

The Hawkeyes and Cyclone team buses will travel more than 125,000 miles during the upcoming year, creating additional demand for soybeans.

Once a product in excess, soybean oil’s market share has increased dramatically with the rise of bio-based fuel usage. In addition to creating jobs and reducing carbon emissions, converting the oil component of soybeans into biodiesel also makes soybean meal competitively priced for livestock producers.

Iowa farmers are expected to harvest more than 525 million bushels of soybeans this fall. Every bushel will enhance Iowa’s standing as the nation’s top-producer of biodiesel.

“Iowa State Athletics is grateful for its continued partnership with the Iowa Soybean Association,” said Cyclone Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard. “Much like the Iowa Soybean Association’s mission of ‘Driven to Deliver,’ the Cyclone student-athletes, coaches and staff are driven daily in their quest to achieve academic and athletic excellence.

“This unique partnership helps drive market demand for the products farmers grow and elevates our brand in support of Iowa agriculture,” he added. “As we begin another exciting season of Cyclone athletics, fans should be on the lookout for our team bus which is powered with a bio-based fuel.”

Creating mutually beneficial outcomes is the best and most efficient way to build markets said Grant Kimberley, ISA senior director of market development and executive director of the IBB.

“Biodiesel promotions on the team buses and inside the venues on game days will enhance awareness of the role soybean farmers play in America becoming more energy independent while improving air quality and human health,” he said.

Prominent signage featuring biodiesel makes the ISU and U of I buses traveling billboards for the fuel, driving additional awareness of the product and its benefits to farmers, communities and environment.

“University of Iowa Athletics is proud to partner with ISA on the Hawkeye Team Bus using biodiesel and supporting Iowa agriculture,” added Matt Henderson, the school’s senior associate athletics director.

 

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The Iowa Soybean Association is Driven To Deliver market demand, production research, information and insights and regulatory action benefiting Iowa's 38,000 soybean farmers and the industry. For more information, visit iasoybeans.com.

 

Funded by the soybean checkoff 

 

 

Biodiesel facts and statistics

• In 2020 biodiesel contributed $587 million in GDP, $254 million in household income and about 4,500 jobs in our state, according to an ABF Economics study.
• Biodiesel production adds 13% of the net market value to soybeans, or around $1.70 when soybean prices are $13 per bushel.
• Biodiesel reduces feed costs for livestock producers by $25-$40 per ton resulting from the additional production of soybean meal.  
• Iowa is the largest biodiesel-producing state in the nation, with production capacity of nearly 400 million gallons annually.

Biodiesel offers better engine performance, with an energy content (BTUs) similar to No. 1 diesel and benefits such as:

• Significantly improved lubricity, which can reduce premature engine wear and tear
• Higher average cetane than diesel
• Similar fuel economy, horsepower, and torque

Biodiesel is the most sustainable liquid fuel available:

• Reduces lifecycle greenhouse gases by up to 86 percent
• Lowers particulate matter by 47 percent in older diesel engines, reduces smog and makes our air healthier to breathe

 

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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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