Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill intended to expand the use of ag equipment fueled by higher ethanol blends. It exempts fuel that contains more than 85 percent ethanol from the state excise tax. A John Deere prototype tractor that runs on E-98 was on display at the bill signing ceremony. Deanna Kovar, President of John Deere’s Ag and Turf Division, says the tractor was manufactured in Waterloo.
Eastern Iowa farmer Lance Lillibridge has tested the E-98 tractor on his farm.
Lillibridge says ending the state excise tax on the highest ethanol blends used in farm equipment will be an incentive for farmers buying equipment — and looking to save money on fuel costs. John Deere has not yet said when the tractor will be available for sale.
