A new executive order from Governor Kim Reynolds is hearing praise from several ag industry leaders. 

The executive order requires newly purchased state diesel vehicles to have engines that use B20 fuel, which is a blend of 20-percent biodiesel and 80-percent diesel. Iowa Soybean Association President Tim Bardole says there are several benefits to using biodiesel.

“Biodiesel is very good for diesel engines (and) it’s clean burning. So even with a 20-percent blend, if you’re following a state snowplow, you will be able to tell instead of having that kind of pungent diesel exhaust smell, it smells more like french fries.”  

Bardole points out the order will help the soybean and biodiesel industries, with biodiesel previously paying $0.55 per bushel of soybeans and now it is at $0.90.

“It’s crowding $1 per bushel. It is a very important thing for Iowa, soybean producers, and the ag economy and the rural economy in Iowa. As a soybean producer I am thrilled that Governor Reynolds has done that. It’s a proven product, it’s made right here in the state and I’m very grateful that she did this and our state vehicles are going to be running on B20.”

Bardole adds, his family’s farm has been using up to 60-percent blended biodiesel since the early 2000s and that other states like Illinois and Minnesota use B20 in their state-owned vehicles.