U.S. soybean farmers, through their checkoff, support the National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA) to promote biodiesel among pulling fans. The NTPA plans to return the favor by allowing the use of 100 percent biodiesel fuel, or B100, in all diesel pulling classes beginning next season.

This could increase biodiesel demand by putting its performance benefits on display for the farmers, truck drivers and other diesel users who make up a large portion of the NTPA’s fan base.

“The NTPA has been a good partner with the soy checkoff,” says United Soybean Board (USB) Director Jim Willers, a soybean farmer from Beaver Creek, Minn. “We are pleased that tractor pullers will be able to use B100 and show off what biodiesel can do for their engines.”

A recent study by the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) and the United Pullers of Minnesota (UPM) found that using B100 in a pulling tractor can add up to 4 percent more horsepower and torque compared with traditional diesel.

Previously, NTPA fuel regulations limited the use of biodiesel to lower concentrations. This season, the NTPA and UPM allowed the use of B100 on a trial basis. The overwhelming success of the trial led the NTPA to adopt the policy permanently.

“We now have a reliable test to make sure it’s B100, so pullers can use it right out of the pump,” says Gregg Randall, NTPA office general manager. “The biggest thing is that this will be the ultimate proof that biodiesel performs well, which is what our partnership with the soy checkoff is all about.”

The United Soybean Board has partnered with the NTPA for the past six years to help increase biodiesel availability and use among pulling fans. And for the third year in a row, the checkoff sponsored the NTPA’s “Powered by Biodiesel” Light Pro Stock class, in which all competitors use biodiesel blends.