WSMB
News
Soy
Diesel Lights Up Farm Tech Days
MADISON, Wis. – Soybeans are powering this summer’s
Wisconsin Farm
Technology Days in the form of soybean-based biodiesel,
funded by Wisconsin soybean
producer checkoff funds.
Checkoff funds, administered by the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing
Board (WSMB),
are providing B5 biodiesel, a fuel blend containing five
percent soybean-based biodiesel for the state’s annual
agricultural showcase, which takes place July 11, 12 and
13, on the Hesselink Farm, near Oostburg, in Sheboygan County.
Six, 180 kilowatt Kohler generators fueled with the soy-diesel
blend will deliver
electrical needs for Farm Technology Days tent city and
six multi-directional light towers
powered by soy diesel will provide security lighting for
the area. Soy diesel also will power
farm equipment used for the show’s always-popular
field demonstrations.
“Showcasing soy diesel at Wisconsin’s premier
outdoor farm show is a great way to
highlight this renewable fuel, which is finding widespread
acceptance in many ways,” says
Keith Ripp, Lodi, soybean producer and WSMB President. “Soy
diesel is a sulfur-free,
biodegradable fuel that can replace imported petroleum and
help reduce harmful air emissions.
What’s even better is that soy diesel is safe in all
diesel engines without special filters or
retrofitting and because it has better lubricity, it helps
reduce wear and extend engine life.
Increasing consumer acceptance of soy diesel will improve
soybean utilization and the
producers’ profit opportunity.”
Research paid for by soybean grower checkoff funds have
helped develop hundreds of
new uses for soy products in recent years; from hand cleaners
and lubricants, to countertops
and flooring, printer inks and crayons, sunscreen, lip balm
and biodiesel fuels. In many
instances these products are replacing imported petroleum-based
products with a renewable
product that is not only more environmentally suitable,
but also has a higher quality and lower
overall costs.
The Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board (WSMB) administers
the soybean grower
checkoff statewide. Established in 1983, the WSMB is dedicated
to maximizing profitability of Wisconsin soybean producers
via research, education and outreach initiatives. Working
together with the national United Soybean Board, WSMB directs
state soybean funds to
statewide, national and international projects as part of
the Soybean Promotion and Research
Checkoff program.
Additional information on Wisconsin’s Soybean Checkoff
is available online at
http://www.wisoybean.org or by calling the Soybean Program
office in Madison at 608-274-
7522..
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