Marshall Highlights Biofuel Growth, Farmer Benefits, and Push for Year-Round E15
- Addison Stoddard
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Kansas agriculture continues to see opportunities in the growing biofuels industry, and U.S. Senator Roger Marshall says recent policy moves are helping drive demand for both corn and soybeans.
Speaking during a visit to Western Plains Energy in Oakley, Kansas, Marshall pointed to strong export numbers as a sign of momentum in the industry.
“We’ve made such great strides,” Marshall said. “If you look at the big picture, ethanol and corn exports increased about 15 percent last year. This year we’re looking at probably another 25 percent increase in exports.”
Renewable Fuel Standard Boost Favors Soybeans
One of the biggest recent developments came from the White House, which announced a major increase in renewable diesel volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard.
“Renewable diesel went up about 60 percent,” Marshall said. “That was the big winner—soybeans turning soybeans into diesel… certainly it’s going to help our soybean farmers.”
While the increase is focused on biomass-based diesel, Marshall noted it still provides indirect benefits across the broader biofuels sector.
E15 Remains Top Legislative Priority
Marshall emphasized that expanding access to higher ethanol blends remains a key goal—specifically year-round sales of E15.
“My number one legislative priority is year-round E15,” he said. “If I could have one wish to get done this year, that would be my wish.”
Currently, E15 cannot be sold nationwide during summer months without emergency waivers. Marshall acknowledged ongoing challenges in Congress.
“Confident would be a stretch,” he said about passing a permanent fix. “There are some small refineries that have told their senators they would go out of business if we did this… I don’t think that’s true, but that’s the hold up right now.”
Finding Demand for a Growing Crop
With larger harvests in recent years, Marshall stressed the importance of expanding both domestic use and exports.
“When you take corn bushels plus sorghum bushels, it’s something like 28 percent larger than the previous year,” he said. “That 28 percent has to go somewhere.”
That demand, he says, comes from value-added products like ethanol and livestock feed.
“The American farmer makes money when we have a value-added product,” Marshall said. “When we turn corn into beef or sorghum into ethanol, those are the products that we make real money on.”
Competing Globally Through Value
Marshall also highlighted the importance of staying competitive in global markets, especially as countries like Brazil expand production.
“The idea that we’re going to outcompete Brazil forever—those days are behind us,” he said. “But what we can do that Brazil cannot do is have a product like American beef… no one in the world can match our quality.”
At the same time, ethanol exports continue to grow, offering new opportunities.
“I think that’s where the great opportunity for the American farmer and rancher is—exporting those value-added crops,” he said.
Expanding Trade Opportunities
Marshall pointed to several potential international markets for ethanol, including Mexico and India.
“Mexico is a great opportunity,” he said, noting current barriers to ethanol use in that country. “India—the sky is the limit… they’re becoming more financially solid, and what do countries do when they have better income? They start eating more protein.”
He added that Canada remains a strong and reliable export partner.
45Z Tax Credit and Farmer Benefits
Another key topic was the 45Z tax credit, designed to support low-carbon fuel production. Marshall said a major focus is ensuring farmers benefit directly.
“The whole idea is that [plants] can pay local farmers a premium because they’re going to get a tax credit for that,” he said.
He also sees the program as a bridge to broader sustainability efforts in agriculture.
“The bridge between American agriculture and the consumer is healthy soil,” Marshall said. “As farmers transition to regenerative agriculture, they’ll have a lower carbon footprint but also healthier soil… that’s the win-win opportunity.”
Precision Agriculture and Resource Management
Marshall touched on conservation and efficiency, especially in drought-prone areas like western Kansas.
“Our issues are drought—there’s no water,” he said. “If you do the right regenerative agriculture practices, you can decrease runoff by 80 or 90 percent… and it means the farmer can use less fertilizer and less water as well.”
He also emphasized the importance of targeted conservation practices.
“We’ve got to be more precise with where we’re spending the money,” Marshall said. “Where’s the win-win-win opportunity with that investment?”
A Connected Ag Economy
Ultimately, Marshall said agriculture sectors—from ethanol plants to feedlots—are deeply interconnected.
“You can’t look at these things in silos,” he said. “You can’t look at sorghum over here and corn over here and an ethanol plant somewhere else… to me, this is all one issue.”
With increased renewable fuel demand, expanding exports, and new policy tools like 45Z, Marshall believes Kansas agriculture is positioned for continued growth.
“We need more consumption in America, and we need more exports as well,” he said.
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