You’ve been hearing a lot lately about the efforts by corn producers to expand the use of ethanol in 2026. But, there’s also a huge push by soybean growers to expand biodiesel as well.
“We are certainly working everyday on both fuels demand and opportunities,” says Caleb Ragland, President of the American Soybean Association (ASA). He is also a farmer based in Magnolia, Kentucky.
“Whether it be biodiesel, renewable diesel—there are opportunities with SAF (sustainable aviation fuel), and there’s different feed stocks that can be used in SAF,” says Ragland. “As the saying goes, ‘The rising tide lifts all boats,’ and biofuels are such an exciting opportunity for the soybean industry that we must be pursuing.”
He tells Hoosier Ag Today that he and other soybean producers will continue to press your lawmakers on Capitol Hill to pass legislation in 2026 to further expand the biofuels industry.
“We have opportunities right now that need to be completed by Congress,” says Ragland. “We have the 45Z tax credit that’s hanging out there that needs to be done. We have the Renewable Volume Obligations, RVO’s, that need to be completed. That number has been debated and beaten to death. It’s time to get the deal done.”
“We need Congress to step up and make it happen. That’s good for demand, and it brings stability and some certainty to our industry, as well, that we desperately need,” he says.
Ragland adds that the expansion of biodiesel would truly be a win for everyone.
“The American farmer is growing a product that is getting used here domestically. It’s creating fuel that is good for the environment. It’s good for the economy. It brings jobs. It brings economic opportunity to our farms, which ties back to economic opportunity for all of our rural communities. That local farmer dollar gets turned over 6-to-8 times, at least, locally. It’s also good for all of the small businesses and it’s just good for everybody involved,” says Ragland.
Michigan is home to two biodiesel plants: W2 Fuel in Adrian and Thumb BioEnergy in Sandusky. Together, they produce around 16 million gallons of biodiesel each year.
CLICK BELOW for Michigan Ag Today’s radio news report:
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CLICK BELOW to watch Michigan Ag Today’s full interview with Caleb Ragland, President of the American Soybean Association, during the recent NAFB Convention in Kansas City:
