The 100 percent biodiesel fuel being tested in Case New Holland tractors at Penn State University is showing promise.

The fuel made from soybean oil has had no negative effects through two years of use, according to Glen Cauffman, the university's manager of farm operations and services.

"The tractors' power, fuel consumption and performance appear equal to that of machines running on petroleum diesel fuel," he said.

Cauffman will report on the "Tractors without Tankers" project at Lancaster County Crop Day Monday.

Vehicles typically use fuel that may include 5 or 10 percent biofuel in the blend.

Penn State's biofuel has no petroleum-based component at all.

The ultimate goal is to help the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and to lessen reliance on imported oil.

Case New Holland agreed to continue testing the tractors another year to accumulate more hours on the engines.

Cauffman's presentation is one of eight Penn State Extension is sponsoring between 9:15 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday.

Crop and soil management, manure, no-tilling and pest control are among the topics, and three of the eight sessions deal with biofuels.

Greg Roth of the PSU Biofuels Initiative at 1:30 p.m. will address "Bio-fuels: Pennsylvania and the Nation."

Cauffman will speak at 2 p.m., and Seth Obetz of Worley & Obetz in Manheim will present "Bio-Fuels: Local Projects and Opportunities" at 2:30 p.m.

Cost for the event is $5, which includes lunch and printed materials.

CONTACT US: rrobinson@LNPnews.com or 481-6032