b'Corns New Flight PlanFrom Field to FlightEthanols next chapter could powerEthanol already makes up about one-third of Kansas corns the planes of tomorrowbut onlymarket, but the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) pathway could push demand to new heights. Even a small percent-if carbon-smart farming and flexibleage of global jet fuel made from ethanol would have ripple policy take off together. effects across the grain economy.Williamson breaks it down simply. If SAF could become By Aimee Nielson, Seed World U.S. Editor 1% of the worlds aviation fuel, and 1%of that came from eth-anol-based SAF, that would use about 5.6 million bushels of cornroughly 10% of Kansas annual production. Push SAF CORN MAY SOONfuel more than cars. With airlinesto 10% of global aviation fuel, and even if only 1% of that is under pressure to decarbonize, ethanol is emerging asethanol-based SAF, the number jumps to 56 million bushels.a promising source for sustainable aviation fuel. The tech- If an airport like DallasFort Worth International Airport nology is ready, the chemistry is proven, and the marketconverted half its jet fuel to SAF made from ethanol, thats potential is massivebut policy and timing could determine389 million bushels, he says. Thats why were paying atten-whether American farmers lead or get left behind. tion. Similarly, if 10% of global aviation fuel were SAF, and The Inflation Reduction Act created the 45Z clean fuel1% of that came from ethanol-to-SAF, youd get to 56 million production tax credit to reward fuels with low carbon inten- bushels. But when we talk about a scenario like DFW, were sity (CI) scores. The lower the score, the greater the credit.assuming a full 50% SAF made purely from ethanol.That simple equation could spark a new carbon race acrossHe says the potential for ethanol-to-jet-fuel production agriculture, with every decisionfrom seed selection tonot only strengthens corn markets but creates a symbiotic nitrogen efficiencyinfluencing a farmers bottom line. relationship with the livestock industry. Ethanols byprod-For Kansas Corns director of policy and economics Tayloruct remains feed grain, keeping value cycling through rural Williamson, that race is already underway, but the rules areeconomies.still unclear. He says the governments delay in finalizing theTheres not enough used cooking oil in the world to fuel 45Z regulations is putting growers at a disadvantage. every plane, Williamson says. If we want real sustainable If Treasury doesnt get these rules out soon, itll be tooaviation fuel, ethanol has to be part of the solution.late for the 2026 crop, Williamson says. Once the seed is in the ground, its too late to change your CI score. Flexibility Over MandatesHe believes the program could be a powerful tool to injectTo qualify for the highest 45Z credits, farmers may need to dollars into the ag economy if its rolled out in time for farm- meet specific carbon-reduction standards based on produc-ers to respond. tion practices. That could include adopting no-till, planting This is one way to put cash into the ag economy duringcover crops, or switching to enhanced nitrogen fertilizers. a time of really bad prices, he says. The program alreadyWilliamson says the intent is good, but the approach risks exists. It just needs rules and regulations. being too rigid.68/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2025'