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Missouri biodiesel funds will benefit farmers, agribusiness

The Missouri Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman says release of the $4 million biodiesel fund is good for Missouri agribusiness.  Republican Brian Munzlinger says Governor Greitens’ release of the funds, promised as seed money to Missouri biodiesel plants years ago, highlights the importance of value-added agriculture.

“This is just one great example of what we can do here in Missouri,” said Munzlinger, following the governor’s announcement in Jefferson City, “that’s add value to our agricultural crops, or agriculture industry, which is the largest we have in the state.”

Every year about 200-million gallons of biodiesel are produced in Missouri’s eight production facilities.  Munzlinger, who farms at Williamstown in the northeast corner of the state, says biodiesel production benefits many different facets of agriculture.

“Whether you actually deliver to a crush plant to get biodiesel out of the soybeans, you still benefit from the price of soybeans,” said Munzlinger, “and if you’re a livestock feeder you benefit from all of the meal that’s coming out of that plant.”

Missouri ranks second nationally in biodiesel production, which accounts for 2,500 jobs in the state.

Missourinet reporter Brian Hauswirth contributed to this article.