Farmers put biodiesel to the test: FS co-ops now offer on-farm delivery of this soybean-based fuel to Illinois farmers

摘要

Move over ethanol. Soybased biodiesel has arrived on the scene. And Illinois farmers are among the first in line to use this new homegrown fuel. Growmark/FS is the first major retail outlet for this alternative fuel in Illinois, with its co-ops now offering on-farm delivery of 2 to 20 percent blends of soy-based biodiesel. Biodiesel could be offered at gas stations within the next year, says Mike Lockart, marketing manager of propane and alternate fuels at Growmark Inc. "I think we'll see a rapid development in this market," he says. JeffTodd, a petroleum salesman with Evergreen FS, encouraged 180 central Illinois farmers to try a blend of 2 percent soybean oil and 98 percent petroleum last year.