Reading Time: 4 minutes Ottawa’s new “clean fuel” rules aren’t in place yet — much less new biodiesel plants — but going green will be a big win for canola growers, say industry officials. “We are excited about the opportunity because what drives the demand for feedstock is the ability of that feedstock to lower the carbon emissions of […] Read more
Going green could be golden for canola growers
Ottawa’s new ‘clean fuel’ rules could quadruple the amount of canola processed into biodiesel
New greening programs planned for ag alongside carbon tax hike
Carbon price to hit $170 per tonne by 2030
A new federal climate plan which further cranks up taxes on carbon emissions also includes pledges of new programs to help sink more carbon into farmland. The government on Friday released the sequel to its 2016 Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change — a “strengthened” climate plan, titled A Healthy Environment and a […] Read more
U.S. fuel industry frazzled as EPA misses biofuel volumes deadline
COVID-19 fallout complicates process
New York | Reuters — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was set to miss a deadline Monday to announce how much renewable fuel the nation’s refiners must blend into their fuel mix next year, raising uncertainty in the fuel market and prompting one biofuel association to threaten to take the agency to court. Under federal […] Read more
U.S. oil refiners press on renewable diesel for Canadian market
Few such projects seen moving forward within Canada
Winnipeg/New York | Reuters — U.S. oil refineries are moving aggressively to produce renewable diesel, partly to cash in on Canada’s greener fuel standard before Canadian refiners modify their own plants. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government intends to present its Clean Fuel Standard this year, aiming to cut 30 million tonnes of emissions by […] Read more
Trump’s ag department sets 30 per cent biofuel goal for 2050
Washington | Reuters — The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday announced a goal for biofuels to make up 30 per cent of U.S. transportation fuels by 2050, a move that could bolster an industry that has been otherwise battered by the Trump administration. Refineries are currently required to blend 20.09 billion gallons of biofuel […] Read more
Palm oil 101: Sought-after crop holds sway over oilseed trade
MarketsFarm — Palm oil may be grown halfway around the world in conditions much different than on the Canadian Prairies, but the outsized influence of the crop on world oilseed markets makes it an important factor to watch when considering canola prices. Indonesia and Malaysia are the world’s largest producers of the crop, with futures […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soy, corn, wheat rise for fourth straight day
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures rose for the fourth session in a row on Tuesday, hitting their highest level since Nov. 8, following the soyoil market’s rally to its highest in nearly two years, traders said. Corn and wheat futures also extended their winning streaks as funds unwound bearish bets on hopes for […] Read more
U.S. biodiesel industry struggles without subsidy
New York | Reuters — When John Whittington shut his Indiana biodiesel plant this week, he knew the move would leave all 14 of his workers there looking for jobs heading into the U.S. holiday season. But he felt he had no choice. A $1-per-gallon subsidy that had been propping up the industry since 2005 […] Read more
Grains, oilseeds not included in Greens’ plans for biofuel
The federal Green Party’s plan to move Canada to zero emissions by 2050 supports the near-term use of plant-based biofuels — “but not from food that could otherwise feed Canadians.” Ahead of Monday’s federal election, the party released a climate action plan dubbed “Mission: Possible” that would ban the use of internal combustion engines in […] Read more
Trump backs plan boosting biofuel quotas 10 per cent in 2020
New York | Reuters — U.S. President Donald Trump has tentatively approved a plan to increase the amount of biofuels that oil refiners are required to blend each year to compensate for exemptions handed out to small refiners by the Environmental Protection Agency, two sources familiar with the matter said. The plan is intended to […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
