Clean Fuels Chair Confident Moving Forward

Cindy Zimmerman

Kent Engelbrecht serves as director of North American Biodiesel Trade Policy for ADM, one of the world’s leading biodiesel producers, oilseed crushers, and suppliers of soy and canola feedstocks for the renewable liquid fuels industry.

Engelbrecht is also Chairman of the Clean Fuels America Alliance, and he is Chairman of the California Advanced Biofuels Alliance (CABA), as well as Advanced Biofuels Canada (ABFC). He was chair of the National Biodiesel Board in 2017 before it became Clean Fuels at a time that was very similar to today.

“It was another difficult time in the industry,” he said in remarks at the Clean Fuels Conference in San Diego last week. “In many ways, it was similar to what we’re facing now. We’ve got headwinds generated by issues that aren’t entirely within our control. Back then we had issues with tax credits, RFS, and we weren’t really sure what to expect with the new president for the next 4 years. Sound familiar?”

Engelbrecht says it created a situation where the industry had to go beyond soybeans and build a coalition of complimentary feedstocks and technologies.

“And we’ve created our path forward. We’ve established renewable diesel as an important part of the country’s energy supply and laid the groundwork for sustainable aviation fuel. Dozens of states across the country have added new clean fuel incentives,” said Engelbrecht. “I look forward to working together as we write this next chapter together.”

Listen to Engelbrecht’s remarks and interview:
Clean Fuels remarks - Kent Engelbrecht, ADM (14:04)

Clean Fuels interview - Kent Engelbrecht, ADM (2:37)

2025 Clean Fuels Conference Photo Album

Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, Clean Fuels Alliance

Industry Ag News 1/24

Carrie Muehling

  • Corn production declined, while soybean production increased from last year, according to the 2024 Crop Production Annual Summary released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. U.S. corn growers produced 14.9 billion bushels in 2024, down 3 percent from 2023. Corn yield in the United States is estimated at 179.3 bushels per acre, 2.0 bushels above 2023 and a record high. Area harvested for grain, at 82.9 million acres in 2024, is down 4 percent from 2023. Soybean production for 2024 totaled 4.37 billion bushels, up 5 percent from 2023. The average soybean yield is estimated at 50.7 bushels per acre, 0.1 bushel above 2023, and 1.0 bushel below the Nov. 1 forecast.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development is excited to announce the launch of a new Clean Energy website, a proactive approach to promote clean energy projects in rural America. The website is a platform for identifying federal funding opportunities and transforming, developing, or procuring clean energy production in these areas.
  • President Donald J. Trump designated Jeffery S. Hall as board chairman and CEO of the Farm Credit Administration. Chairman Hall is the longest-serving member of the current FCA board, having been appointed by President Barack Obama on March 17, 2015. He succeeds Vincent Logan, who has served as FCA board chairman and CEO since Oct. 21, 2022.
  • Because not everyone is able to join us in San Antonio for the 2025 American Farm Bureau Convention, selected sessions from the Convention agenda will be available to stream live online. All three General Sessions and the activities on the Cultivation Center Stage will stream live on FB.org as well as on the Convention Website. President Duvall’s speech will also stream live during Opening General Session on Sunday, January 26 starting at 9:30 a.m. CST.
  • Glen R. Smith of Iowa was elected as chairman of the Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation board of directors. He succeeds Jeffery Hall, who served as chairman of the FCSIC board of directors from November 2016 until he was designated board chairman and CEO of the Farm Credit Administration (FCA) on Jan. 20, 2025.
  • Attention college students with a passion for agricultural communications and desire to network with hundreds of professionals. Apply by February 21 for the Forrest Bassford Student Award. The top winner will receive a $1,500 scholarship and a $500 travel award to attend Ag Media Summit. Up to three additional $750 travel scholarships may be awarded to finalists to attend the event. Get details and download the application here.
  • The U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) board of directors elected new officers for the organization’s 2025/26 fiscal year (July to June) at their meeting January 15, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Mike Carstensen of Almira, Wash., was newly elected as the organization’s next Secretary-Treasurer and will take office July in 2025. At the July board meeting in Boise, Idaho, current Secretary-Treasurer Gary Millershaski of Lakin, Kan., will succeed to Vice Chairman and current Vice Chairman Jim Pellman of McClusky, N.D., will take office as Chairman. Current Chairman Clark Hamilton of Ririe, Idaho, will become Past Chairperson.
  • Two exceptional college students pursuing careers in agriculture will be awarded $2,500 each this semester from the National Wheat Foundation (NWF), with sponsorship from BASF. NWF selected Teagan Macy, a junior at the University of Idaho pursuing a degree in crop science. Ryland Peters, a sophomore at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, was also selected. College students are encouraged to apply for this scholarship next year. The deadline is December 31, 2025. More details can be found on the National Wheat Foundation website, www.wheatfoundation.org.
  • The Western Farm Show and Missouri Farmers Care are joining forces for the second year to make a difference in the lives of families facing food insecurity in Missouri and Kansas. The Western Farm Show’s annual Unite Against Hunger “Battle Of The Border” event will collaborate with the Drive to Feed Kids for an opportunity for Western Farm Show attendees and FFA chapters to make a difference.
  • The Georgia Peanut Commission is seeking candidates for the position of executive director. The GPC Board of Directors seek candidates to oversee the management of Commission resources and serve as the staff team leader. During the recent Georgia Peanut Farm Show, Don Koehler, current GPC executive director, announced his plans to retire Aug. 1, 2026.
    • Zimfo Bytes

    USDA Nominee Faces Senate Ag Committee

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The Senate Agriculture Committee hosted the confirmation hearing for President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Agriculture on Thursday.

    Brooke Rollins is the president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute and worked in the previous Trump administration in the White House Office of American Innovation and United States Domestic Policy Council. Prior to that, she was the president and CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

    In her opening statement, Rollins outlined her key priorities for day one if she is confirmed. “First, we must ensure the disaster and economic assistance authorized by Congress is deployed
    as quickly and efficiently as possible,” said Rollins. “Second, we must work to immediately and comprehensively get a handle on the state of animal-disease outbreaks,including H5N1 and New World Screwworm.”

    Other priorities including working to “realign and rethink” the USDA, and providing the “timely and technical assistance” to ensure a farm bill that moves forward.

    Rollins hearing - priorities (2:21)

    Audio, USDA

    Precision Ag News 1/23

    Carrie Muehling

  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the appointment of 36 members to serve on the newly formed Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program Advisory Council, informally referred to as to the Growing Climate Solutions Act Advisory Council.
  • As a testament to the growing commitment of major players in agricultural machinery and agri-equipment, New Holland confirms its participation to World FIRA for the second time, announcing the signing of a multi-year agreement with the FIRA events, the leading field-based exhibitions for agricultural robotics and autonomous solutions in Europe and the United States. At the 9th edition of the World FIRA, taking place from February 4 to 6, 2025, in Toulouse, New Holland will showcase its brand-new T4 FNV specialty tractor, equipped with an advanced guidance system and the winner of the EIMA 2024 Technical Innovation award.
  • Greeneye Technology, the pioneer of precision spraying technology that is proven to reduce non-residual herbicide use in farming by an average of 87 percent, announced the expansion of its cutting-edge system to include cotton crops. This advancement follows extensive research and development field trials conducted last year to tailor the Greeneye system for cotton, building on its proven success with corn and soybean.
  • Pivot Bio announced a retail distribution partnership with Logan Agri-Service, Inc., an independently owned and operated supplier of agricultural crop inputs headquartered in Griggsville, IL. Through this partnership, PROVEN® 40, a microbial nitrogen solution powered by Pivot Bio’s patented gene-edited technology, will be available across all of Logan Ag’s locations, providing corn farmers throughout the network with an advanced nitrogen solution that complements Logan Ag’s trusted lineup of products and services.
  • According to new data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), U.S. sales of Ag tractors and combines fell in December 2024 compared to the year before. U.S. Sales of Ag tractors fell 11.3 percent while combine sales fell 26.4 percent in December 2024 compared to 2023.
  • At the World Economic Forum (WEF), Jeff Rowe, CEO of Syngenta Group, presented the five key trends in AI that will define agriculture in 2025. During a panel discussion at Bloomberg House on the topic “From Soil to Silicon: How Advanced Technologies are Cultivating the Future of Sustainable Ag”, he outlined how 2025 will mark the first year AI truly revolutionizes agriculture – from lab to field.
  • The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) is proud to announce that Illinois farmers have set a new soybean production record. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Illinois farmers produced 688 million bushels of soybeans in 2024, surpassing the state’s previous record of 666.75 million bushels, set in 2018.
  • Meister Media Worldwide, the leading agriculture media and events company, and Agritecture, a top-tier advisory and agriculture technology firm, announced the results of the 2024 Global CEA Census, available for download at CEAgWorld.com/CEAcensus. The controlled environment agriculture (CEA) survey was a collaborative effort between Meister Media’s CEAg World brand and Agritecture.
    • AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

    Dr. Jonathan Wendel Receives Cotton Genetics Research Award

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Dr. Jonathan Wendel, Distinguished Professor at Iowa State University was announced as the 2024 Cotton Genetics Research Award recipient last week during the 2025 Beltwide Cotton Conferences in New Orleans. Wendel, who was not present to accept the award, was selected by the Joint Cotton Breeding Committee and received a plaque with a monetary award.

    Dr. Wendel earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and his master’s and Ph.D. from University of North Carolina. His career began in 1983 working as a geneticist for USDA’s Agricultural Research Service in North Carolina. In 1986, Dr. Wendel transitioned to academia and has been heavily involved with research, teaching, and mentorship at Iowa State University since. During his time with Iowa State University, Dr. Wendel has collaborated with researchers internationally as well as held administrative roles.

    Over his career, Dr. Wendel has authored or co-authored 340 scientific journal articles and book chapters to date with over 54,000 citations and a Google Scholar h-index of 112. A majority of Dr. Wendel’s research and subsequent publications has been related to cotton genetics. His early work helped to explain the genomic underpinnings of cotton domestication and diversification and more recent research efforts have led to more practical tools for improving cotton as an agricultural crop.

    Beltwide Cotton, Cotton

    Clean Fuels Celebrates Conference in Important Market

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The 2025 Clean Fuels Conference is being held this week in a very important market for biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel – California.

    “Biodiesel and renewable diesel have displaced 75% of all diesel sold in the state,” said Clean Fuels CEO Donnell Rehagen in his opening remarks Tuesday. “It’s now harder to find diesel fuel in California than our fuels. Our industry is responsible for 45% of California’s progress under the Low Carbon Fuel Standard so far.”

    However, Rehagen says the accelerating growth in the industry has created a unique challenge, the need for more feedstock.

    “Our industry’s rapid growth, more than doubling production capacity in the last four years, has outpaced domestic feedstock availability – at least for now. By our calculations, current volumes of domestic feedstocks would support about 3.3 billion gallons of fuel production,” said Rehagen. “As we’ve seen growing amounts of imported feedstocks coming in to fill the demand, it has generated angst with domestic feedstock growers and processors.”

    Rehagen says it will be an active and challenging year for the clean fuels industry. “We must remain unified…We will need engagement from this industry as the impacts of 45z begin to take effect, and RVOs are set…all under a new administration. We’re going to need everybody to participate. If we win on these two things, 2025 and 2026 could be among our finest years yet.”

    Listen to Rehagen’s comments:
    Clean Fuels opening remarks Donnell Rehagen, CEO (27:21)

    2025 Clean Fuels Conference Photo Album

    Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, Clean Fuels Alliance

    CattleCon to Feature World Without Cows Screening

    Cindy Zimmerman

    World Without CowsWhat would a world without cows be like? It would certainly be a different world for the people who raise cattle, so Alltech is offering an exclusive screening of the World Without Cows documentary at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show, CattleCon. The screening will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m.– 9:00 p.m. CST in the General Session Room of the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, TX.

    “World Without Cows” is a feature-length 85-minute documentary that was filmed in 40 global locations over three years, exploring the impact of cattle on economies, ecosystems, cultures and human nutrition. It is written and directed by two award-winning journalists, Michelle Michael and Brandon Whitworth who have spent the past three years exploring a fascinating question: Are we better off in a world without cows? This thought-provoking documentary dives into the cultural, societal, and environmental significance of cattle, examining their vital role in nourishing the world and combating climate change.

    To find out more about this documentary, we talked with the filmmakers to learn their journey that took them to 22 different countries and five different continents. “It was over 300 conversations with experts in various fields, farmers, scientists, researchers, climatologists around the world kind of asking those really basic questions of what is a world without cows look like to you?” says Whitworth.

    “Tveryone will tell you that cows make methane. And guess what? They do. Not a single person we talked to denied that cows do have an impact on our climate,” said Michael. “What we found was that it was a much smaller impact when you look at the way methane is measured. But I think the most surprising thing is it’s not just that cows have an impact on the climate. They have this incredible potential to help us capture carbon and really save the planet for the future.”

    Listen to the interview here:
    World Without Cows filmmakers Michelle Michael and Brandon Whitworth (17:56)

    For more information, visit worldwithoutcows.com. Also, be sure to follow “World Without Cows” on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok, and follow filmmakers Michelle Michael (@farmfilmmaker) and Brandon Whitworth (@theagstoryteller) for their unique insights.

    You can also hear more from Michelle and Brandon about their experience in this video, “The Making of World Without Cows”

    Alltech, Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference, Environment, Livestock

    Conference Highlights Biodiesel, Renewable Diesel and SAF

    Cindy Zimmerman

    The 2025 Clean Fuels Conference is underway in San Diego bringing together industry leaders in the biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel markets with the theme “Accelerate.”

    Clean Fuels Alliance America CEO Donnell Rehagen says the meeting theme refers to the rapid growth and transformative progress of the biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel industries. “We’re now a 5 billion gallon year industry. We’ve doubled in size in the last four years,” said Rehagen. “So we’re we’re expecting to have probably about 1000 people gathering San Diego.”

    Clean Fuels Communications Director Heather Buechter says they are very excited about the conference agenda which will highlight the role that clean fuels plays in California. “It’s worth noting that biodiesel and renewable diesel now make up 75% of California’s diesel pool under the low carbon fuel standard.”

    Mainstage session topics include:

    California Dreamin’: Clean Fuels’ Time to Shine: The current and future role of biodiesel and renewable diesel in California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard
    Acceleration of Change: Clean Fuels Policy, Plus Renewable Diesel Deep-Dive: What to expect from the new administration on fuel policies and what that could mean for businesses
    All Aboard: Rail Contemplates Life After Diesel: How biodiesel and renewable diesel are helping the rail industry reach clean-fuel goals
    Detour Ahead?: New Emissions Regulations Driving OEM Product: Clean fuel regulation and challenges for Original Equipment Manufacturers and fleets
    Feedstock Revolution: Unleashing the Power for Clean Fuels: How conventional and new feedstock supplies are developing to meet new demands for clean fuel

    The Clean Fuels Vehicle Showcase Wednesday evening will feature a range of heavy-duty equipment and technologies with representatives on hand to answer questions.

    Follow coverage of the conference on the Clean Fuels Conference Blog.

    Interview with Heather Buechter, Clean Fuels (9:09)

    NAFB24 Donnell Rehagen, Clean Fuels (2:54)

    2025 Clean Fuels Conference Photo Album

    Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, Clean Fuels Alliance, SAF

    Animal Ag News 1/20

    Carrie Muehling

  • The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program is seeking applicants for its Animal Care, Environmental Stewardship and Workforce Development Task Forces for the July 2025 to June 2028 term. FARM will accept nominations until March 31; new task force members will be announced by June 15.
  • The Dairy Business Association, Wisconsin’s leading advocacy group, elected a new president during the group’s annual business meeting at DBA’s Dairy Strong conference. Greg Siegenthaler, vice president milk marketing, sustainability and sourcing for Grande Cheese in Fond Du Lac, Wis., was elected president. Siegenthaler is a long-standing DBA member and previously served as the organization’s vice president.
  • Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, one of the largest dairy cooperatives in the country based on milk volume, elected a new president during the group’s annual business meeting at the 2025 Dairy Strong conference.
  • The National Milk Producers Federation congratulates President Donald Trump and the leaders of the new Congress and administration and is ready and eager to work on a wide range of challenging issues as the new government takes shape.
  • Conrad Schelkopf of Geneva, Nebraska, and Tyler Thomas of Baker City, Oregon, have each been awarded a $15,000 W.D. Farr Scholarship by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF). The annual W.D. Farr Scholarship program recognizes outstanding graduate students for their academic achievements, leadership and commitment to the advancement of the beef industry. The scholarship recipients will be recognized during CattleCon 2025, Feb. 4-6, in San Antonio, Texas.
  • The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) welcomed the withdrawal of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) proposed rule entitled “Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets,” announced by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. This harmful regulation would have dismantled current cattle marketing agreements, reversed decades of innovation in the cattle industry, and threatened producer profitability.
  • The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and the National Pork Board (NPB) are excited to announce the Class of 2025 for the Pork Leadership Institute (PLI), a premier program dedicated to equipping pork producers with the knowledge and skills to lead the industry into the future. This year, 17 exceptional individuals from across the country have been selected to join the program, representing a diverse group of leaders poised to drive innovation and advocacy within the pork sector.
  • Intelligent nutrition company Novus International, Inc. has entered a strategic co-development partnership with innovative biotechnology company Resilient Biotics to create a novel feed solution that supports immune health and helps reduce the risk of respiratory challenges in pigs.
  • The African Swine Fever (ASF) “I Protect Pigs” photo contest is back and now accepting entries. Brought to you by USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS), this contest promotes the importance of good biosecurity behaviors by encouraging the public to submit a photo of owner/pig safety practices in action. Prevention is the only cure for ASF, and we want to see pig owners show off their best biosecurity behavior for a chance to win!
  • The International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) announced that it will proceed as planned, Jan. 28-30, 2025 in Atlanta, following recent detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Georgia. On Friday, the Georgia Department of Agriculture suspended all poultry exhibitions that display live birds, shows, swaps, meets and sales (e.g., flea market or auction market). However, Commissioner Tyler Harper confirmed that this does not apply to IPPE, given that no live birds will be present.
    • AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

    ZimmCast 740 – Outlook for U.S. Cotton

    Chuck Zimmerman

    ZimmCastHello and welcome to the ZimmCast.

    ZimmComm is now entering its 21st year. Who would have thought?

    We officially announced our company at the 2004 National Agri-Marketing Conference. We had our first booth at the conference in 2005 which means we’ve exhibited for twenty of them! I thought you might like to hear the first audio podcast I recorded in January of 2005. We were just starting to figure out what we could do with our AgWired blog. It’s a short episode. I share more audio after it. So, that was the start and it has sure changed over the years.

    So, let’s look at this year. I was working at the Beltwide Cotton Conferences in New Orleans and thought I’d focus on the outlook for cotton. I would not be surprised if there are some changes after the presidential inauguration. But I’m going to start with Gary Adams, CEO of the National Cotton Council. He talks about the cotton industry outlook and then moves onto the farm bill.

    Following Gary is Daren Abney, Executive Director, U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. He talks about the last year of the sustainability program and an outlook of what’s next.

    You can find a lot of photos as well as interviews and session audio on the AgNewsWire virtual ag newsroom here.

    I’m heading out next to San Diego for the Clean Fuels Conference and hoping the weather doesn’t cause too many travel problems. It’s looking like I’ll miss the mess though.

    Listen to the episode here:
    ZimmCast 740 - Outlook for U.S. Cotton (13:38)

    That’s the ZimmCast for now. Please let us know if you have ideas for a future podcast. Just email Chuck at chuck@zimmcomm.biz.

    We hope you enjoyed it and thank you for listening.

    Subscribe to the ZimmCast in:

    Ag Groups, Audio, Beltwide Cotton, Cotton, Farm Bill, ZimmCast