Oct 29
Green Plains sells its 2026 45Z credits
$250 million to $325 million, sold to two unaffiliated buyers; $140 million in cash expected this quarter.
Read at Green Plains →45Z feedstock benchmark · Updated November 9, 2026
What plants are paying farmers for low-CI corn
45Z Farmer Pricing Comparables
A weekly comparison of the premiums ethanol plants and grain buyers are offering farmers for low-carbon corn under the Section 45Z credit.
12
Published programs tracked
$0.00 – $0.75
Full range of published premiums, per bushel
Nov 9, 2026
Last updated · refreshed weekly
Want these comparisons in your inbox each week? Get the weekly 45Z pricing update →
Offers over time
45Z corn offers since USDA’s final rule
Dark red shows the premium for corn with a carbon intensity of 3,000–4,000 g CO₂e/bu; light red shows each program’s full published premium range. Offers are plotted by release date.
- 3,000–4,000 g CO₂e/bu premium
- Full published premium range
- 1Marquis Energy
- 2ADM re:generations
- 3CHS Ag Carbon
- 4Absolute Energy
- 5LifeLine Group
- 6White Energy
- 7Big River Resources
- 8LDC Grand Junction
- 9Elite Octane
- 10Siouxland
- 11Little Sioux
- 12Green Plains
Reading the chart. Grams-per-bushel offers are read directly from each plant’s schedule. Fuel-CI and percentage offers (1, 3, 4, 5) are aligned on 6,040 g CO₂e/bu = feedstock CI 26.5 = 0% improvement, scaling linearly; this is an RLP assumption, as no published source converts between units. Lump sums add about 1–3¢/bu at 200 bu/ac.
The offers
Every published program, side by side
| # | Program | Price range ($/bu) | Released | Structure | Notable terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marquis EnergyHennepin, IL | $0.00 – $0.55 | Jul 2026 | Fuel-CI ladder23 rungs, one CI point apart |
|
| 2 | ADM re:generations36 delivery points, IL · NE · IA · MN | $0.05 – $0.25 | Aug 2026 | Banded ladderFour bands, g CO₂e/bu |
|
| 3 | CHS Ag Carbon12 Illinois locations + Davenport, IA | $0.03 – $0.50 | Sep 2026 | Fuel-CI ladder11 estimated tiers |
|
| 4 | Absolute EnergySt. Ansgar, IA | $0.05 – $0.50 | Sep 2026 | Fuel-CI ladder10 tiers, plus a lump sum |
|
| 5 | LifeLine GroupMissouri | $0.18 – $0.46 | Sep 2026 | Percentage formulaLinear on FD-CIC improvement |
|
| 6 | White EnergyPlainview, TX | $0.12 – $0.48 | Oct 2026 | Linear formula$0.12 per 1,000 g below 6,000 g |
|
| 7 | Big River ResourcesWest Burlington, IA | $0.03 – $0.75 | Oct 2026 | Stepped ladder25 tiers, g CO₂e/bu |
|
| 8 | LDC Grand JunctionGrand Junction, IA · 2027 program | $0.04 – $0.59 | Oct 2026 | Stepped ladder25 entries, g CO₂e/bu |
|
| 9 | Elite OctaneAtlantic, IA | $0.05 – $0.60 | Oct 2026 | Stepped ladder113 rows, 50 g steps |
|
| 10 | SiouxlandJackson, NE | $0.05 – $0.60 | Oct 2026 | Stepped ladder113 rows, 50 g steps |
|
| 11 | Little SiouxMarcus, IA | $0.05 – $0.60 | Oct 2026 | Stepped ladder113 rows, 50 g steps |
|
| 12 | Green PlainsFarm Forward · Green Plains Grain locations | $0.05 – $0.25 | Oct 2026 | Banded ladderFive bands, 750 g wide |
|
Ranges run from the lowest to the highest published rate. Terms are as published by each buyer and may change. For full program terms or help with a 45Z feedstock program, contact us.
In case you missed it
Oct 28
What farmers need to know about 45Z before applying fall fertilizer
RLP’s Chris Malone on what growers should weigh before applying fall fertilizer.
Read at DTN/Progressive Farmer →Oct 27
Canada proposes bonus credits for Canadian-made fuel
Draft Clean Fuel Regulations amendments would give Canadian-made ethanol 1.3x credits. A 75-day comment period follows.
Read at Government of Canada →Seen a 45Z offer we haven’t listed?
Forward it to us. We review every submission, agree on attribution with you first, and add it to next week’s comparison.
Independent advisors on 45Z, carbon intensity and the agricultural supply chain
Building or pricing a 45Z feedstock program? Let’s talk
Richards Lake Partners helps plants, grain buyers and the companies around them design, price and run 45Z programs. We don’t model carbon intensity or collect farm data; we help you decide what to build and who to bring in.
