Nebraska soybean farmers could see new demand for their crop following an announcement from John Deere. The company recently approved the use of B30 biodiesel, a 30% biodiesel blend, across its entire portfolio of Tier 4 engines. Previously, only blends up to B20 were approved.
The announcement was made in late August and highlighted at the 2025 Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois, where all John Deere equipment in the Ride and Drive area operated on B30 biodiesel.
"At John Deere, we're committed to supporting and growing the use of renewable fuels in our equipment," said Pierre Guyot, senior vice president of John Deere Power Systems. "We believe strongly in the role that renewable fuels play in supporting the agriculture economy and are excited to offer our customers-including those who grow the very crops used to make renewable fuels–the opportunity to leverage higher blends of fuels like biodiesel in their own equipment."
Industry leaders welcomed the move as a win for farmers.
"This is a win-win situation for U.S. soybean farmers and rural communities," said Caleb Ragland, president of the American Soybean Association and a Kentucky soybean farmer. "Higher blends of biodiesel mean greater demand for the soybeans we grow and cleaner-burning fuel for equipment in the field. John Deere's leadership in approving the utilization of B30 in their machinery helps move renewable fuels forward, while directly supporting the farmers who help produce them."
Scott Fenwick, technical director for Clean Fuels Alliance America, said, "John Deere's approval of B30 demonstrates true leadership in supporting America's farmers and advancing sustainable fuels. Biodiesel is engineered to deliver the performance fleets and equipment owners expect, while exceeding ASTM quality specifications. By embracing higher blends, John Deere is assuring customers they can rely on a clean, homegrown fuel that reduces carbon emissions and strengthens rural economies."
For Nebraska soybean producers, higher biodiesel blend approvals could help strengthen demand for soy oil, one of the key drivers of the soybean crush market, while continuing to provide a reliable, cleaner-burning option for powering equipment in the field.
Learn more about John Deere's renewable fuel efforts
