FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BLOOMINGTON, ILL – July 21, 2022 – The Johnson family has been competing in tractor pulling competitions for over twenty years, and four years ago, made the decision to fuel their pulling tractor with 100 percent biodiesel.
“We saw the gains that we can produce in horsepower,” says Kevin “KJ” Johnson. “Before, we produced around 1,700 horsepower. With biodiesel, we’re seeing anywhere between 30 and 50 additional horsepower.”
Using B100 not only provides more reliable engine performance, it also results in fewer carbon emissions, contributing to a more sustainable environment. Illinois biodiesel production creates over 2,000 jobs around the state and reduces U.S. dependence on foreign oil.
KJ and brothers, Travis and John, have been participating in tractor pulls for most of their lives thanks to the influence of their father. The Johnson brothers compete with the biodiesel-powered pulling tractor in competitions held by the Illinois Tractor Pulling Association. While the brothers do the driving, KJ notes that the most important Built 4 Business team member is their father, “He doesn’t drive it anymore, but he’s the driving influence behind everything.”
The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) is proud to partner with the Johnson family to celebrate their wins and showcase the numerous benefits of biodiesel.
You can catch the Built 4 Business pulling tractor at these upcoming competitions this summer:
• July 22, Christian Co. Fair – Taylorville, IL
• July 23, Menard Co. Fair – Petersburg, IL
• July 26, Madison Co. Fair – Highland, IL
• July 30, Champaign Co. Fair – Urbana, IL
• July 31, Adams Co. Fair – Mendon, IL
• August 1, Effingham Co. Fair – Altamont, IL
• August 2, Coles Co. Fair – Charleston, IL
• August 4, Brown Co. Fair – Mt. Sterling, IL
• August 13, David Lashmett Memorial Truck & Tractor Pull – Winchester, IL
• August 20, American Thresherman’s Assoc. – Pinckneyville, IL
• August 25, Will Co. Fair – Peotone, IL
• September 4, Central States Threshermen’s Reunion – Pontiac, IL
• September 10, Calhoun Co. Jr. Fair – Hardin, IL
For more information on biodiesel and ISA’s efforts to create a sustainable future, visit www.ilsoy.org/biodiesel.
The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) checkoff and membership programs represent more than 43,000 soybean farmers in Illinois. The checkoff funds market development and utilization efforts while the membership program supports the government relations interests of Illinois soybean farmers at the local, state, and national level, through the Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG). ISA upholds the interests of Illinois soybean producers through promotion, advocacy, and education with the vision of becoming a market leader in sustainable soybean production and profitability. For more information, visit the website www.ilsoy.org and www.ilsoygrowers.com.
