Eight Statistics That Prove U.S. Soybean Farmers Are Sustainable

U.S. Soy’s Sustainability by the Numbers

For soybean farmers, sustainability isn’t a buzzword; it’s a way of life. Farmers were green before it was even a movement. From crop rotation and reduced tillage to nutrient and water management, every day is an ongoing commitment to the land and resources.

U.S. soybean farmers are committed to continuous improvement – making sure the land that they farm now is prosperous for years to come. Here are just a few of the sustainable practices soybean farmers are already using day after day, year after year.

• Crop Rotation

1. Ninety-four percent of soybean acres are under planned rotation sequences and     continuous plantings, contributing to increased biodiversity.

• Water Management

1. Ninety-four percent of U.S. farmland is non-irrigated.
2. Seventy-five percent of sediment is removed by conservation buffers, improving water quality.

•  Reduced Tillage

1. Seventy percent of U.S. soybean acres use conservation tillage.

• Pest Management

1. Ninety-five percent of U.S. soybean farmers personally scout their fields each season to manage pests.
2. Farmers have reduced herbicide runoff by 70 percent, which helps to keep the water supply healthy.

• Nutrient Management

1. Ninety-two percent of U.S. soybean farmers have tested their soil to maintain proper nutrient levels.

• Conservation

1. Ten percent of U.S. farmland is taken out of production to protect sensitive areas.