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Mid-America Biofuels Breaks Ground
For Immediate Release, October 24, 2005 MEXICO, MO - Today Missouri soybean farmers and friends dug golden shovels into soil unearthing the site where Missouri’s first major biodiesel production facility is being built. The facility positions Missouri as the leader in America’s biodiesel industry. The majority farmer-owned joint venture will carry a nameplate capacity of 30 million gallons per year and use soybean oil as its primary feedstock. An estimated annual production of 100 million gallons of biodiesel will increase the value of soybeans by 10 cents per bushel. “On behalf of all soybean farmers in Missouri, I want to thank and commend U.S. Senator Kit Bond, Governor Matt Blunt, U.S. Senator Jim Talent and U.S. Congressman Kenny Hulshof for their hard work and dedication in bringing up the biodiesel industry. They compose what I call our ‘A Team’ in U.S. government,” said Dale R. Ludwig, executive director/CEO of MSA. During an equity drive this summer, nearly 400 agricultural producers purchased shares in the facility, owned by Mid-America Biofuels, LLC, which creates jobs in Missouri and increases direct income for farmers. It plans to begin operating at full capacity within a year. Mid-America Biofuels is a dynamic joint venture consisting of Biofuels, LLC, a Missouri farmer-owned biodiesel business; Archer Daniels Midland Company; Ray-Carroll County Grain Growers, Inc.; MFA Oil Company; and Growmark, Inc. “Missouri farmers were the first to make serious investments in the biodiesel industry, contributing their checkoff dollars to basic research in the fuel more than a decade ago,” said Ludwig. “We’ve spent endless hours of time and effort building markets and interest in the fuel, because we envision biodiesel as being the most promising soy product to date. Mid-America Biofuels’ decision to build this plant will have a tremendous impact on the Missouri economy, and it shows we are extremely serious about our dedication to expanding the biodiesel industry.” Biodiesel is a non-toxic, biodegradable, renewable fuel made from fats and oils, such as soybean oil. It helps reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil and works in any diesel engine with few or no modifications. It offers enhanced lubricity and cetane, plus similar horsepower and torque when compared to petroleum diesel fuel. More than 50 percent of Missouri soybean farmers use biodiesel in their operations and many major fleets use it commercially. “Biodiesel demand is growing fast, and we believe Missouri is the right place to produce biodiesel and fill that demand,” said Warren Stemme, St. Louis-county farmer and president of Mid-America Biofuels, LLC. “Additionally, we have an unbeatable team in place with each member providing resources and experience which is sure to make Mid-America Biofuels a huge success.” # # #
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© Missouri Soybean Programs |
