U.S. soybean farmers are seeing tangible returns on their investments. Transferring from the soybean field to the equipment used to plant and harvest, soy-based products are returning to the farm.
New products such as Bridgestone® tires, RAPTOR® tractor belts and John Deere® tractors all have components made with U.S. soybeans. The United Soybean Board’s (USB) commitment to maximizing farmer profitability shows by bringing these and several other soy-based products to market.
“The inclusion of U.S. soy in more products is a success all farmers can be proud of,” says Craig Gigstad, Kansas soybean farmer and USB farmer-leader. “I take pride in growing a sustainable crop that increases my profitability and adds value for commercial goods.”
In 2016, a number of products were commercialized based on USB-funded research. These soy-based products span from on-farm usage to household items, like adhesives for kitchen cabinetry, soaps and shampoos. USB’s 2017 Soy Products Guide features hundreds of soy-based products currently available.
“New products for U.S. soy open up markets for soybean farmers and create sustainable solutions for end users,” Gigstad says. “For many companies, soy is a renewable and American-grown alternative for current technology. This sustainability factor is what customers demand.”
Soy-based products expand the already diversified soybean market. Creating more end uses for soybeans will continue to build demand for U.S. soy and maximize profit opportunities for farmers.
USB’s 73 farmer-directors work on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers to achieve maximum value for their soy checkoff investments. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds in programs and partnerships to drive soybean innovation beyond the bushel and increase preference for U.S. soy. That preference is based on U.S. soybean meal and oil quality and the sustainability of U.S. soybean farmers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.
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