More than four out of every five U.S. soybean farmers reported using at least five different types of sustainable farming practices as part of a recent informal survey conducted by the soy checkoff. This demonstrates farmers’ willingness to meet end users’ demands for sustainably grown products an increasingly popular opportunity to increase U.S. soy sales.
Crop rotation was the most popular answer, with 93 percent of farmers reporting using it. Nutrient management and reduced tillage came next with 87 and 85 percent, respectively. Conservation and pest management also came in from more than 81 percent of the respondents.
“Farmers are beginning to think more about what sustainable practices they are using on their farm and proud to share how they are contributing to a more sustainable soy product,” said Nancy Kavazanjian, a Wisconsin soybean farmer who oversees sustainability strategy for the United Soybean Board. “Our engagement with farmers from around the country encourages them to see how recognizing and improving sustainable practices can add value to their operations.”
Not only do sustainable practices help preserve and protect the soil, air and water for the next generation, but using sustainable practices, such as reduced tillage or water management, also helps improve overall profitability because healthy land is productive land.
The great sustainability record of U.S. soy also provides U.S. soybean farmers a competitive advantage as end users are increasingly developing a preference for purchasing U.S. soy. Globally, food companies and other soy end users, such as Wal-Mart and Unilever, have committed to sustainability. Their ingredients must be produced in a sustainable manner, and U.S. soybean farmers must be able to prove that their products qualify in order to maintain soy demand.
The survey, conducted among attendees at Commodity Classic, asked farmers which categories of sustainable practices they use on their farms. The possible choices included crop rotation, water management, reduced tillage, pest management, nutrient management, detailed recordkeeping, precision farming and conservation. Nearly two out of every three (64 percent) of the respondents said they practice either seven or all eight of the categories.
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