SAN ANTONIO, TX (February 7, 2007) -  New Holland was in the limelight during the recent National Biodiesel Board (NBB) Conference in San Antonio, TX, when the 2007 “Eye on Biodiesel” award for “Innovation” was presented to Gene Hemphill, New Holland Manager of Industry Affairs.

2007 marks the fourth year the annual “Eye on Biodiesel” awards were presented by the NBB during its annual conference. The award is designed to recognize individuals who have advanced the National Biodiesel Board’s mission of public education and industry growth.

In announcing the award, the National Biodiesel Board said: “New Holland in 2006 approved the use of 20% biodiesel (B20) in all of its equipment using New Holland engines. It is the first original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to announce full support of B20 in all of the diesel engines that it produces.

“Hemphill is a big reason for New Holland’s support. He was advocating its use in their equipment almost a decade ago. Also, in 2003, New Holland was the first large farm equipment company to join the Biodiesel Alliance that connects the wide-spread support base of biodiesel. New Holland also awarded use of its tractors to the nation’s two top recruiters of the Biodiesel Alliance.”

In congratulating the “Eye on Biodiesel” winners, Joe Jobe, chief executive officer of the NBB said, “I’m struck by the diverse groups of biodiesel supports that our winners represent. Biodiesel truly has a unifying effect on Americans, and our reward recipients have done a great service by helping to foster its growth.”

In accepting the award, Hemphill said, “It’s a great honor to be able to receive an award for something that you have a great passion for, being backed by a company like New Holland that shares the same passion, and for having a great relationship with Joe Jobe and the National Biodiesel Board that makes such a passion contagious.”

Gene Hemphill of New Holland represented the only farm equipment company to receive an “Eye on Biodiesel” award. Following his award presentation, he also introduced country music artist Michael Peterson, who spoke about the value of biodiesel and the farmers who help produce it.

New Holland is a brand of CNH, a global leader in agricultural and construction equipment and financial services. New Holland sells and services an innovative and diverse line of agricultural equipment, including a full line of tractors as well as hay and forage equipment, harvesting, crop production and material handling equipment.

Sales, parts and service are provided to customers by New Holland dealers throughout the United States and Canada. There are more than 1,200 New Holland dealerships located throughout North America.

For more information on New Holland products, contact your local New Holland dealer or visit the New Holland Web site at www.newholland.com/na.