ST. LOUIS (May 13, 2014) - Last year's record-breaking biodiesel-production total means record-breaking industrial demand for U.S. soybean oil and bigger profits for U.S. soybean farmers.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the U.S. biodiesel industry produced 1.36 billion gallons of biodiesel in 2013, 37 percent more than in 2012. The EIA says that production required the use of at least 5.5 billion pounds of U.S. soybean oil.

That volume is the oil from more than 468 million bushels of U.S. soybeans.

Research has shown that the biodiesel industry's demand for U.S. soybean oil increased soybean value by 74 cents per bushel between 2006 and 2012.

Rob Hanks, United Soybean Board director and a soybean farmer from Le Roy, Minnesota, says he's thrilled to see biodiesel bring such a major return on investment back to the U.S. soybean farmers who helped start the industry and have continued to support it ever since.

"U.S. soybean farmers have been very supportive of biodiesel for more than 20 years," he says. "It's really gratifying to see those farmers reaping the benefits of that support."

According to research commissioned by soybean farmers in Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota through their state soy checkoff boards, biodiesel contributed to a $15 billion increase in soybean-oil revenues, or 74 cents per bushel, between 2006 and 2012.

Hanks also points out that using soybean oil for biodiesel supports the U.S. animal agriculture sector. As the biodiesel industry's demand for soybean oil rises, so does the supply of soybean meal. That larger supply reduces the prices poultry and livestock farmers pay for feed.

U.S. soybean oil remains the primary the feedstock for U.S. biodiesel production. The soy checkoff partners with the National Biodiesel Board to conduct research on biodiesel's benefits and promote its use.

The 70 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of U.S. soy's customers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
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Government officials in Iowa this week should encourage the EPA to maintain a strong RFS to strengthen America's economy, encourage environmental protection and increase consumer choice

(DES MOINES)  - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today renewed their call for the Obama Administration to support a robust Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). As government official travel to Iowa to discuss the environment today and tomorrow, Branstad and Reynolds believe they should focus on empowering consumers with additional and lower-cost choices at the pump, diversifying our nation's energy portfolio, reducing transportation emissions, supporting the growth of the Midwest economy, and reducing our dependence on overseas oil through a strengthened RFS.

Elected officials, including Branstad, Reynolds, Iowa Agriculture Secretary Northey, and the entire Iowa congressional delegation have repeatedly encouraged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reverse course on their short-sighted proposed 2014 RFS volume obligation levels.

"President Obama recently indicated that he would take every executive action possible and leverage every existing authority to move the economy forward and advance his agenda. The President and Administrator McCarthy have existing authority to grow production and use of renewable fuels," said Branstad. "If the President is serious about advancing renewables, like biofuels, as a solution to reducing emissions, then I encourage him to pick-up the phone to direct senior leaders in his Administration to support a robust RFS. President Obama's Administration can nurture, through the stroke of a pen, future economic growth in Rural America and common sense energy policy."

"We are proud of Iowa's leadership in the production and use of renewable energy - both wind energy and biofuels. The RFS provides consumers choices at the fuel pump, and when given that choice, they often choose renewable fuels like ethanol and biodiesel," said Reynolds. "I renew the bipartisan call from leaders across Iowa, and entire Midwest region, for the Obama Administration to support a robust RFS."

Iowa is a leader in diversifying our nation's energy portfolio through the production of renewable fuels, like wind energy and biofuels. Iowa leads the nation in wind power generation and places third behind only Texas and California for wind energy capacity. In 2013, Iowa was ranked among the top 12 states in the nation by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Iowa also leads the nation in biofuels production. By supporting a robust RFS, the Obama Administration can diversify our nation's transportation fuels, add value to commodities grown in rural America, reduce emissions, and provide consumers low-cost choices at the pump.

Highlights of Iowa leaders' engagement on the RFS include :

• State and Federal elected officials, including Gov. Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds, participated in a "Defend the RFS" event.
• Gov. Branstad traveled to Washington, DC, joining a small group of Iowa farmers and biofuels producers, to testify at the Federal government's only public hearing and met with EPA Administrator McCarthy.
• Gov. Branstad, Lt. Gov. Reynolds, Secretary Bill Northey and the entire Iowa congressional delegation sent a joint letter to Federal leaders advocating for the many benefits that flow from the RFS.
• Gov. Terry Branstad brought together a bipartisan group of six governors to sign on to a letter to President Barack Obama, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack expressing their support for a strong RFS.
• Leaders from across the Midwest joined Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds for their  "Hearing in Heartland," which was open to all interested citizens; 83 panelists from across the Midwest Region spoke from the heart about the importance of the RFS to their livelihoods and a healthy rural economy while only two individuals expressed opposition to a robust RFS.
• The Iowa Legislature unanimously passed bicameral, bipartisan resolutions calling for the EPA to reverse course and support a strong RFS. View the resolutions: House Resolution 101 | Senate Resolution 101
• State of Iowa leaders submitted formal comments to the EPA with current data and analysis that provides Federal leaders the opportunity and obligation to revise their initial volume obligations upward.

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GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (May 12, 2014) - First baseman Conrad Gregor had a season-high three RBIs Monday night, including the go-ahead sacrifice fly in the seventh inning for the Quad Cities River Bandits, who won their season-high sixth straight game, 4-3 over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

Quad Cities lost leads of 2-0 and 3-1, but eventually prevailed for the first time on the road in a one-run game to reach .500 (18-18) for the first time since April 17. The six-game winning streak is the team's longest since a seven-game streak July 28-Aug. 3, 2013.

The River Bandits took their first lead in the third inning against Timber Rattlers right-hander Preston Gainey. Center fielder Brett Phillips was hit by a pitch and stole second base. With two outs, shortstop Jack Mayfield lined an RBI double down the left-field line, and Gregor followed with an RBI double on a ground ball past first baseman Steve Halcomb to make it 2-0.

River Bandits right-hander Michael Feliz set down the first eight batters - including a season-high six on strikeouts - and did not allow a baserunner until Wisconsin shortstop Angel Ortega tripled on a play when Phillips slipped on wet turf in center field. Feliz retired 10 of the first 11 he faced before a fourth-inning, one-out single by catcher Clint Coulter ended his outing at 3 1/3 innings. He was charged with two hits and an earned run, after right-hander Patrick Christensen allowed an infield RBI single by Wisconsin third baseman Taylor Brennan.

Quad Cities added to the lead in the top of the fifth inning, as right fielder James Ramsay drew a leadoff walk, stole second base and scored following consecutive one-out singles by Mayfield and Gregor. But Wisconsin (16-20) answered by tying the game in the bottom of the fifth against Christensen. Halcomb reached on a throwing error by Mayfield, and center fielder Johnny Davis singled on a one-out ground ball to center field. After Davis stole second base, second baseman Chris McFarland lined a game-tying, two-run single to center field. Christensen retired Coulter on a flyout, and McFarland was thrown out trying to steal to end the inning. Christensen completed 1 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and two runs - one earned - with one strikeout.

Gainey worked 4 2/3 innings for Wisconsin, and left-hander Trevor Seidenberger pitched scoreless relief until the top of the seventh inning. In a 3-3 tie, second baseman Chan-Jong Moon reached on an error by Ortega and went to third base on Mayfield's third hit, which came as Moon was running toward second. With runners at first and second base and no outs, Gregor hit a fly to deep center field that scored the go-ahead unearned run. Seidenberger ended his 2 1/3-inning outing by getting a ground-ball double play.

River Bandits right-hander Jandel Gustave (2-2) began the sixth inning and gave up a one-out double to right fielder Michael Ratterree, who reached third base on a wild pitch but was stranded after a popup and strikeout to end the inning. Gustave retired 10 straight batters before left fielder Omar Garcia's two-out, ninth-inning single. Gustave struck out Halcomb to complete four shutout innings and the game.

Quad Cities continues the series in Wisconsin at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday. River Bandits right-hander Edison Frias (1-1) is scheduled to face Timber Rattlers left-hander Tyler Alexander (2-3).

UP NEXT: The official lighting of the Ferris Wheel will be a part of Markdown Monday when the River Bandits open their next homestand May 19 at Modern Woodmen Park. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and bleacher tickets, as well as hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, nachos, soda and beer are just $2 each for the 7 p.m. game. Tickets are available online at www.riverbandits.com. Don't miss the great light show that comes with the new Ferris Wheel! To order any of the ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: Having just been named Ballpark Digest's winner of Best Ballpark Improvement in America under $1 million, the River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 110 feet over the playing field, will open May 24, along with a new ride called a "Drop and Twist," an expanded 300-foot long zip line, and many other new games and attractions. In 2013, the team unveiled a new 220-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. The team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, just saw all six of its affiliates reach the playoffs - the first time in a decade any MLB team can claim such success. The River Bandits were one of three affiliates to reach the championship round and one of two to win their league championship.

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DAVENPORT, Iowa (May 12, 2014) - Featuring the logo of an iconic raccoon with bandana and cowboy hat, the Quad Cities River Bandits' cap has quickly become among the most recognizable in baseball, and now it among the leaders for the best cap in Minor League Baseball in the Clash of the Caps at MiLB.com.

One cap from each of the 160 Minor League Baseball teams is automatically entered in the contest, and the Bandits' cap is currently running third in the national contest - and is the only Single-A team in the nation currently in the top five. Fans can vote at MiLB.com/ClashoftheCaps or follow the link at riverbandits.com through Wednesday, May 21.

"Fans in the Quad Cities region and across the country have made the River Bandits cap one of the most popular in baseball, and this vote is further evidence of that," said team owner Dave Heller. "Our great fans can now show their Bandits pride to the entire baseball world by helping us win the Clash of the Caps competition."

As of Monday evening, the River Bandits home cap had received the most votes of any Single-A team and ranked No. 3 overall among all 160 minor league teams.

Fans can visit the MiLB.com/ClashoftheCaps) and vote for their favorite cap among randomly selected pairs. Upon voting, they will get another random pair. Fan choices will be recorded through Wednesday, May 21, and the winner will be announced on May 22.

River Bandits caps are available for purchase through the online team store using the link at riverbandits.com, as well at Modern Woodmen Park team store 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and during all home games. A 10 percent discount will be given on all Bandits caps purchased at the ballpark during the competition, and the team will offer a 20 percent discount if it wins the competition.

UP NEXT: The official lighting of the Ferris Wheel will be a part of Markdown Monday when the River Bandits open their next homestand May 19 at Modern Woodmen Park. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and bleacher tickets, as well as hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, nachos, soda and beer are just $2 each for the 7 p.m. game. Tickets are available online at www.riverbandits.com. Don't miss the great light show that comes with the new Ferris Wheel! To order any of the ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.