AFBF Economist: Year-Round E15 Could Give Bumper Corn Crop a Big Boost

AFBF economist Faith Parum breaks down the potential impact of the proposed policy change to allow year-round sales of E15 biofuel.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV) — With a bumper corn crop this season, U.S. farmers are searching for ways to expand market opportunities — and one potential boost could come from year-round sales of E15, a higher ethanol blend that experts say could lift corn demand, lower fuel prices, and strengthen overall farm income.

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economist Faith Parum joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to break down the potential impact of the policy change.

Parum explained that allowing E15 sales year-round would likely increase corn demand, since ethanol production relies heavily on the crop. The move could also help consumers by offering a lower-cost, cleaner-burning fuel option at the pump — benefits that could ripple throughout the rural economy.

Currently, E15 cannot be sold nationwide during summer months due to environmental regulations tied to air quality standards, a restriction farm groups and ethanol advocates have long pushed to remove.

Looking ahead, Parum noted that even as electric vehicle adoption grows and gasoline demand levels off, biofuel policy remains key to sustaining markets for American farmers. She said maintaining and expanding ethanol access is an important way to ensure a strong, reliable outlet for corn in the years ahead.

Related Stories
Rep. Michelle Fischbach shares her appreciation for rural communities and outlines how the Working Families Tax Cut is aimed to support farm families on RFD-TV’s Champions of Rural America.
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer has developed a detailed calculator to help producers navigate the program’s requirements. He joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to explain how it works.
Henning Strauss, CEO of STRAUSS, joins us to share his company’s commitment to crafting tools that farmers wear.
Dr. Sally DeNotta with the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) provides horse owners with guidance on the recent outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV).
Strong plant output and rising exports contrast with softer domestic blending demand, suggesting margins are poised for volatility.
Kip Eideberg with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers details its campaign spotlighting the people who build equipment vital to farming and food manufacturing.
Buzzard discusses her upcoming appearance on the Dirt Diaries podcast with host Kirbe Schnoor and the importance of sharing authentic stories about agriculture.
Dr. Jeffrey Gold, President of the University of Nebraska, joined us to break down what telehealth entails and which conditions can be managed through remote appointments.

Agriculture Shows
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.
Champions of Rural America is a half-hour dive into the legislative priorities for Rural America. Join us as we interview members of the Congressional Western Caucus to learn about efforts in Washington to preserve agriculture and tackles the most important topics in the ag industry on Champions of Rural America!
Featuring members of Congress, federal and state officials, ag and food leaders, farmers, and roundtable panelists for debates and discussions.
The goal of “Where the Food Comes From” is as simple as its name implies — host Chip Carter takes you along on the journey of where our food comes from — and we don’t just mean to the supermarket (though that’s part of the big picture!). But beyond where it comes from, how it gets there, and all the links in the chain that make that happen.
Join markets specialist Scott Shellady, better known as the Cow Guy, as he covers the market-close, breaking down headlines that drive the commodities and equities markets with commentary from respected industry heavyweights.