Soybean Groups Pull Funding for Biofuel Research Over Climate Findings

Two soybean industry groups temporarily suspended about $1.5 million in grants to the University of Minnesota for biofuel research after it found using food crops for fuel could worsen global warming and cause other environmental harm.

The Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council withheld payment pending a meeting with university officials, charging the study ignored benefits from biofuels. The groups met with university officials, and are expected to announce further funding decisions soon.

• "U Biofuels Study Has Farmers Upset," Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Feb. 25, 2008, by Tom Meersman.