New free calculator helps farmers determine their carbon intensity score

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🗞️ Driving the news: A new free calculator, developed by Dr. Alejandro Plastina of Iowa State University, helps farmers determine their carbon intensity score
• This tool measures the carbon emissions per unit of crop yield, aiding farmers in aligning with government-backed programs like the Carbon Intensity Score program

🔭 The context: Starting in 2025, ethanol plants participating in this program will be eligible for Federal Tax Credit 45Z if they source crops with lower carbon footprints
• Farmers with lower carbon intensity scores may receive incentives from these plants, making this tool crucial for maintaining competitiveness in the agricultural market

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: By encouraging reduced carbon emissions in farming practices, this calculator supports more sustainable agriculture
• Lowering the carbon intensity of crops contributes to the broader goal of mitigating climate change

⏭️ What's next: The final guidelines for the program will be completed by 2025, potentially impacting how farmers use the calculator and benefit from the tax credit
• Farmers are encouraged to start using the tool now to explore ways to reduce their carbon footprint

💬 One quote: "The farmer may receive an additional payment if the carbon intensity score falls below the buyer’s established threshold," said Dr. Alejandro Plastina

📈 One stat: The calculator requires input of five numbers: corn acres, nitrogen usage, corn yield under current methods, and projected changes with new techniques

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