In his final days as Ag Secretary, Tom Vilsack has released an interim rule for biofuel feedstocks. The industry has been waiting for the move, and Vilsack says it will put farmers back in the driver’s seat.
One of the most notable changes surrounds the 40-B credit for sustainable jet fuel. USDA has lifted the bundling requirement, something the industry has been asking for. In previous versions, only corn ethanol qualified for the tax credit if multiple scenarios were met. The new rule would also allow sorghum as a feedstock option. Vilsack says these changes should set the industry up on a proper path.
“Agriculture now is in a position to say that if we use corn in this county and we use it in a no-till circumstance, we use the properly timed fertilizer. This is the benefit to the ethanol production facility that we’ll be producing. They, in turn, can document to whoever’s purchasing saf that, in fact, it results in a CI score that is more than 50% efficient relative to current jet fuel.”
This interim rule is open for discussion, and USDA will take public comment for the next 60 days.
Smaller cow numbers and a declining calf crop point to prolonged tight cattle supplies, limiting near-term herd rebuilding potential.
January 30, 2026 03:42 PM
·
University of Nebraska President Dr. Jeffrey Gold joined us with important insights on drug safety and rural health during the winter months.
January 30, 2026 03:28 PM
·
Quinn Rutt of Upstream Ranch previews the Nebraska cattle operation’s 49th Annual Production Sale where buyers can expect standout sire groups and a blend of long-standing ranch practices with modern genetic selection.
January 30, 2026 03:23 PM
·
Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, provides new updates on winter storm impacts and the outlook for rural power reliability.
January 30, 2026 02:59 PM
·
Jessi Grote from the AgriSafe Network provides winter safety guidance for rural communities still recovering from the recent winter storm.
January 30, 2026 01:42 PM
·
CattleCon 2026 officially kicks off Tuesday and continues through Thursday, bringing producers together to shape the future of the U.S. cattle industry.
January 30, 2026 01:30 PM
·
