University of Missouri--Columbia. Office of Undergraduate Research
Abstract
Abstract only availableFaculty Mentor: Dr. Joe Parcell, Agricultural EconomicsMissouri soybean farmers have recently taken an interest in producing biodiesel from their
commodity product. Two successful corn ethanol plants in Missouri have enticed soybean
producers to find a value added product to increase their profits. If soybean farmers could
successfully create a profitable producer-owned biodiesel plant, then not only could they
increase their own income per bushel of soybeans but also increase local soybean price
through the additional demand for the commodity in the area. This would provide
supplemental income to a historically small-margined industry. But, is biodiesel production
economically feasible in Missouri? The objective of this research is to investigate whether
biodiesel production is an economically feasible investment and to determine the amount of
government subsidies required to make producer investment in biodiesel production
profitable.CAFNR On-Campus Research Internship Progra