American agriculture is at a crossroads today, but biofuels could point the way to a brighter future, according to a recent study from S&P Global and commissioned by U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action (USFRA). “Fueling Agriculture: Biofuels as the Catalyst,” finds that biofuels have the potential to restore long-term profitability to American farms and drive investment in rural communities; …
Senators Say Study Shows Need for Biofuels Growth
Midwest lawmakers hope a new report out this week from S&P Global and commissioned by U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action (USFRA) will help grow momentum to get a bill allowing nationwide, year-round sales of 15% ethanol fuel through the Senate. At a press conference announcing the report, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) said time is running out to get legislation …
New Study Shows Benefits of Biofuels Expansion
A new S&P Global Energy study released today shows how expanded biofuel markets are a catalyst for agriculture, revitalizing farm communities, stabilizing farm incomes, and providing both food and energy security. Commissioned by U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action (USFRA), the research, titled “Fueling Agriculture: Biofuels as the Catalyst,” offers a detailed, evidence‑based assessment of agriculture’s future and presents a …
ZimmCast 757 – 2026 National Ethanol Conference
Hello and welcome to the ZimmCast. I’m Chuck Zimmerman. In this episode of the podcast I’m going to share some audio from the National Ethanol Conference. While Laura McNamara worked with Syngenta Seeds at Commodity Classic, which overlapped with the NEC, yours truly drove to Orlando and took photos, interviews and session audio in a custom virtual ag newsroom on …
Secretary Rollins Launches ‘One Farmer, One File’ at Classic
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins unveiled USDA’s new “One Farmer, One File” initiative Thursday at the 2026 Commodity Classic, promising a single streamlined digital record that follows producers across all agency systems and slashes paperwork burdens. Rollins described the multi-year modernization as a direct response to decades of fractured IT infrastructure — 500 custom systems managed by 1,000+ contractors at …
RFA CEO Calls for Unleashing U.S. Ethanol
In a rousing address at the 2026 National Ethanol Conference this morning, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Geoff Cooper drew parallels between the ethanol industry’s untapped potential and the inspiring underdog story of college football quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Cooper likened the sector to the overlooked athlete who, given the chance, achieved extraordinary success – a metaphor for ethanol’s …
John Deere Announces B30 Biodiesel Compatibility
At the 2025 Farm Progress Show last week, John Deere announced the approval of B30 biodiesel use across its entire portfolio of Tier 4 John Deere engines, including tractors, combines, and application equipment. During the show, all John Deere equipment operated in the company’s Ride and Drive area was running on B30 biodiesel. Previously, all Tier 4 John Deere engines …
USDA Deputy Secretary at Farm Progress Show
USDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Vaden filled in for his boss at the 2025 Farm Progress Show Tuesday, chatting on the mainstage with Mike Pearson of This Week in AgriBusiness and answering question from farm reporters on site. The first topic addressed was New World Screwworm in light of the latest headlines about human case in Maryland. “So the …
ZimmComm Recognized for Ethanol Reporting
ZimmComm was honored to receive the media award from the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) last week for our “decades of dedicated reporting on the people, policies, and progress shaping the U.S. ethanol industry.” This means a lot to us because the ethanol industry was instrumental in our company’s success and we have been able to cover the most consequential …
Ethanol Report on the RFS at Twenty
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 was signed by President George W. Bush on August 8 of that year at Sandia National Laboratory in Albuquerque, New Mexico – symbolizing a new approach to energy economics and security, diversifying our transportation fuel supply by incentivizing ethanol and biodiesel by initiating the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). This month marks the 20th anniversary …