A member of the Iowa Soybean Association’s board of directors says the Trump Administration’s proposed 2026 production mandate for biofuels should spur production this year. Dave Walton, a farmer from Wilton, runs all of his farm equipment on soybean-based biodiesel.
There are 10 biodiesel plants in Iowa and industry experts say up to five have been shut down.
Walton says production should ramp up due to growing demand from trucking companies for B-99 — the highest blend of biodiesel. The EPA is proposing that at least 5.6 billion gallons of biomass-based diesel be produced next year. That exceeds the amount the biodiesel industry was lobbying for. The Renewable Fuels Standard production levels for all biofuels will become final after a public comment period and the EPA has the authority to adjust its recommendation based on that feedback.
