COLUMBUS — Soybeans can be used to develop sustainable aviation fuel and while Ohio farmers may be ready to supply the demand, there is concern from policy groups as the federal government is requiring certain practices in order to qualify.

What You Need To Know

  • According to the Ohio Soybean Council, the state is ranked 6th in the nation for soybean production
  • The federal government is incentivizing farmers with tax credits, but those require certain growing practices
  • Each week, Spectrum News 1 anchor Chuck Ringwalt and agriculture expert Andy Vance discuss an aspect of the state's agricultural landscape

"We use the soybean oil, so we crush the soybeans themselves and then we are able to use that oil to develop soy biodiesel,” Agriculture Expert Andy Vance said.

In April, the U.S. Treasury released guidance regarding a tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel.

"One of the concerns that the farmled associations like the Ohio Soybean Association have is that the restrictions are fairly critical," Vance said.

The Ohio Soybean Association released a statement regarding the U.S. Treasury's decision.

“Soybean oil is a feedstock that already reduces greenhouse gas emissions over traditional petroleum jet fuel by 50 percent today, even before factoring in on-farm practices like no-till and cover crops,” said OSA President Rusty Goebel said in the release. “Our nation’s transition to SAF has to start somewhere – let that start include all soybean oil regardless of farming practices.”

If you have an idea for the Ag Report, a question for Chuck and Andy or you’d like to send a photo of your farm and the work you do, send an email to charles.ringwalt@charter.com. You can also follow Chuck on Facebook.

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