Soybeans offer new form of protection, U of G students find

Mar 19, 2018

Project SOY competitors design soy-based condom

Staff Reporter

Farms.com

Twelve teams of students at the University of Guelph presented their unique soy-based innovations on Friday during the 22^nd Project SOY competition.

Two students took first place in the undergraduate category with their invention, Soydoms, which are soy-based condoms.

The product, which contains soy lecithin, would cost $0.48 to create and $0.15 to package per item, the inventors determined.

This amount is only slightly higher than the average cost of condoms made from other materials, such as latex. (On average, companies pay $0.45 to manufacture a single condom, the students stated on their project display board.)

Diploma, undergraduate and graduate students highlighted other soy innovations at the annual event, including cheese, paper and propagation trays, according to a tweet from the Ontario Agricultural College.

By participating in Project SOY, these students help to “raise … awareness of the crop and find diversified uses and markets for soybeans,” the University of Guelph stated on its website.

Individuals who would like to participate in next year’s competition can find out more information on the Project SOY page.

Farms.com has reached out to Project SOY for comment.

Video: Residue Management

Residue Management conservation practice manages the amount, orientation, and distribution of crop and other plant residue on the soil surface year-round while limiting soil-disturbing activities used to grow and harvest crops in systems where the field surface is tilled prior to planting. This video explores how Ryan McKenzie implemented this conservation practice on his farm in Samson, Alabama.

Practice benefits:

• Increases organic matter

• Improves air quality

• Decreases energy costs

• Reduces erosion

• Improves soil health

The Conservation at Work video series was created to increase producer awareness of common conservation practices and was filmed at various locations throughout the country. Because conservation plans are specific to the unique resource needs on each farm and also soil type, weather conditions, etc., these videos were designed to serve as a general guide to the benefits of soil and water conservation and landowners should contact their local USDA office for individual consultation.