USDA understands the need for a standardized Biofuel Feedstock Report and has provided a list of all elements required in the Biofuel Feedstock Report included in 2100.031(e). In order to maintain flexibility in how farm producers create, maintain, and transmit this report, USDA does not specify a specific form or format to allow for a range of ways to meet this requirement including using paper records, farm management software, and digital files. The official FD-CIC tool includes a print option that enables farmers to provide field-level CI scores to buyers in a standard format. While the CI score is only a single part of the Biofuel Feedstock Report, it comes with the farmer's attestation that the farmer is meeting the record-keeping and reporting requirements. This flexibility has been intentionally designed to support farmers down to the use of paper records so that undue burden is not placed on farmers. The intent is to have the market makers who stand to profit from the tax credits create a market that incentivizes farms or offers solutions to help farmers participate if those companies want to achieve the maximum benefit.
What the final rule says
The final USDA rule under 7 CFR Part 2100 establishes technical guidelines for qualifying feedstock production. It does not require specific commercial products, software platforms, or enrollment programs as conditions of compliance. Program-specific requirements should be distinguished from USDA requirements.
What the official FD-CIC allows
The official calculator accepts defined inputs for crop, location, yield, moisture, nutrient sources, and eligible practices. A claim that a product or service affects the result must identify the exact input, record, or pathway involved.
What evidence would change the verdict
The claim needs to identify the exact rule section or contract term. A platform requirement should be labeled program-specific when it comes from a commercial program.
Provider or source of the claim
Commercial enrollment and software claims