Minnesota Soybean Processors Adding more value to beans by producing clean-burning biodiesel Having more marketing ave- nues helps a farmer maximize the profit of their crop. For over 15 years, the Minne- sota Soybean Processors (MnSP) plant in Brewster has helped farmers increase their marketing options for soybeans. The plant began crushing soy- beans for production of soybean meal and soybean oil in 2003. In 2005, the plant began refining biodiesel. Jeramie Weller, general man- ager of MnSP's Brewster pro- cessing plant, said the purpose of the member-owned plant is to give farmers more value when it comes to marketing their soy- beans. "Biodiesel is a value-added product for farmers and a lot of producers use it," Weller said. "We're an important part of the Minnesota Mandate, which calls for the production of ap- proximately 70 million gallons of biodiesel each year. We sup- ply a large percentage of the biodiesel to meet that mandate - about 40% of the mandate can be produced by our plant alone. Last year, we produced about 38 million gallons of biodiesel. Typi- cally, we're between 30 million and 40 million gallons produced every year. "Every year, blenders have to blend 20% biodiesel and 80% Number 2 diesel. That blend is sold from April 15th through the end of September. From the end of September through April 15th, the blend is 5-10% biodiesel and 80-95% Number 2 diesel. We really try to ramp up our B20 produc- tion in February and March." MNSP is a member owned coop- erative, with a base of 2,300 mem- bers covering a large swath of Southwest Minnesota, Northwest lowa, Southeast South Dakota and Northeast Nebraska. beans, adding value to the prod- uct. "Our plant also turns beans into soybean oil and soybean meal, which is used for livestock feed. Our members not only have benefits from a dividend stand- point, but they also have incen- tive to bring their beans to our plant." The plant typically processes about 800 to 900 thousand acres worth of soybeans in a year. And even the by-products of produc- ing biodiesel have market value. One of the main by-products is glycerine, which can be used to produce soap, shampoo or even toothpaste. Weller added that the develop ment of biodiesel refineries also want. Farmers bringing their beans here do get a premium for having their beans in the ideal range. When we process beans into soy- bean oil, and ultimately biodiesel, the more oil the better." But the MnSP plant is not lim- ited to members. "We have a 2,300-member base, but farmers do not need to be members to bring their beans to our plant." Weller said. "Prob- ably less than 5% of the beans we process come from our members. We offer competitive prices for soybeans to give farmers more op- tions to sell their beans. We also purchase from local elevators, so any farmer bringing beans to a local elevator reaps the benefits of our plant. "But if you compare what we pay a farmer to bring their beans here, versus what an elevator pays for the beans before selling them to us, it typically is more beneficial for the farmer to bring their beans directly here. We can take in 2 million bushels of beans at harvest time. Otherwise, we get them later in the process." "A crush plant our size adds to the value of the soybean," Weller said. "It's given farmers another outlet for their beans. In the past, a farmer would take their beans to an elevator, where it would be has changed how soybean seed is developed. "Our farmers strive to bring us the best product," Weller said, "What's happened in the last 5 to 10 years, soybean varieties have had protein and oil con- tents boosted. We're also seeing more yield per acre. It's a credit to the seed companies, knowing the product that plants like ours turned into treated beans or the majority would be put onto unit trains to be shipped out of our area. By producing biodiesel, you have another market for those we salule ... THE AREA FARMERS FOR ALL THEY DO! Congratulations to the families featured in this edition! MNSP 507-842-6677 or 888-842-6677 P.O. Box 100 121 Zeh Ave. Brewster Minnesota Soybean Processors www.mnsoy.com Minnesota Soybean Processors Adding more value to beans by producing clean-burning biodiesel Having more marketing ave- nues helps a farmer maximize the profit of their crop. For over 15 years, the Minne- sota Soybean Processors (MnSP) plant in Brewster has helped farmers increase their marketing options for soybeans. The plant began crushing soy- beans for production of soybean meal and soybean oil in 2003. In 2005, the plant began refining biodiesel. Jeramie Weller, general man- ager of MnSP's Brewster pro- cessing plant, said the purpose of the member-owned plant is to give farmers more value when it comes to marketing their soy- beans. "Biodiesel is a value-added product for farmers and a lot of producers use it," Weller said. "We're an important part of the Minnesota Mandate, which calls for the production of ap- proximately 70 million gallons of biodiesel each year. We sup- ply a large percentage of the biodiesel to meet that mandate - about 40% of the mandate can be produced by our plant alone. Last year, we produced about 38 million gallons of biodiesel. Typi- cally, we're between 30 million and 40 million gallons produced every year. "Every year, blenders have to blend 20% biodiesel and 80% Number 2 diesel. That blend is sold from April 15th through the end of September. From the end of September through April 15th, the blend is 5-10% biodiesel and 80-95% Number 2 diesel. We really try to ramp up our B20 produc- tion in February and March." MNSP is a member owned coop- erative, with a base of 2,300 mem- bers covering a large swath of Southwest Minnesota, Northwest lowa, Southeast South Dakota and Northeast Nebraska. beans, adding value to the prod- uct. "Our plant also turns beans into soybean oil and soybean meal, which is used for livestock feed. Our members not only have benefits from a dividend stand- point, but they also have incen- tive to bring their beans to our plant." The plant typically processes about 800 to 900 thousand acres worth of soybeans in a year. And even the by-products of produc- ing biodiesel have market value. One of the main by-products is glycerine, which can be used to produce soap, shampoo or even toothpaste. Weller added that the develop ment of biodiesel refineries also want. Farmers bringing their beans here do get a premium for having their beans in the ideal range. When we process beans into soy- bean oil, and ultimately biodiesel, the more oil the better." But the MnSP plant is not lim- ited to members. "We have a 2,300-member base, but farmers do not need to be members to bring their beans to our plant." Weller said. "Prob- ably less than 5% of the beans we process come from our members. We offer competitive prices for soybeans to give farmers more op- tions to sell their beans. We also purchase from local elevators, so any farmer bringing beans to a local elevator reaps the benefits of our plant. "But if you compare what we pay a farmer to bring their beans here, versus what an elevator pays for the beans before selling them to us, it typically is more beneficial for the farmer to bring their beans directly here. We can take in 2 million bushels of beans at harvest time. Otherwise, we get them later in the process." "A crush plant our size adds to the value of the soybean," Weller said. "It's given farmers another outlet for their beans. In the past, a farmer would take their beans to an elevator, where it would be has changed how soybean seed is developed. "Our farmers strive to bring us the best product," Weller said, "What's happened in the last 5 to 10 years, soybean varieties have had protein and oil con- tents boosted. We're also seeing more yield per acre. It's a credit to the seed companies, knowing the product that plants like ours turned into treated beans or the majority would be put onto unit trains to be shipped out of our area. By producing biodiesel, you have another market for those we salule ... THE AREA FARMERS FOR ALL THEY DO! Congratulations to the families featured in this edition! MNSP 507-842-6677 or 888-842-6677 P.O. Box 100 121 Zeh Ave. Brewster Minnesota Soybean Processors www.mnsoy.com