Soybean Month Celebrates the Crop's Impact, Versatility

By Brock Johnston, bjohnston@iasoybeans.com

Bolstered demand and a growing portfolio of uses prove homegrown soybeans are an economic, social and environmental driver for Iowa. The benefits of the powerhouse protein were reinforced through a proclamation signed this month by Governor Kim Reynolds.

In August, Soybean Month in Iowa brings attention to the oilseed responsible for feeding and fueling the world. From clean-burning biodiesel and feed for livestock, poultry and dairy to candle wax, tofu and other industrial and food products, uses derived from soybeans are nearly endless.

“Soybean production and consumption, both in Iowa and across the country, are growing at a positive pace,” says Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) President Robb Ewoldt, who farms near Davenport. “Despite the ongoing challenges facing farmers, we’ve only scratched the surface of the crop’s potential as ISA and other organizations continue to research and expand usage opportunities for soybeans.”

Despite ongoing challenges, Iowa farmers continue to play a critical role in soybean production success. The state’s 40,000 soybean farmers harvested a record 622 million bushels of soybeans in 2021 – roughly 14% of the nation’s total output.

From tofu and soymilk, soy burgers and more, the variety of soy-based products offered in grocery retailers have also experienced massive growth. As consumer values trend toward health-minded, environmentally conscious foods, soy satisfies both needs and contains all essential amino acids required for a healthy diet.

A recent United Nations report on global food security found up to 828 million people faced food insecurity in 2021. Due to soybean’s nutrient composition and adoption of sustainable farm management practices by Iowa soybean farmers, the crop is well positioned to help address the protein needs of a growing population.

“Whether animal- or plant-based consumption, protein is an essential part of global nutrition,” says Ewoldt. “It’s rewarding to be part of an industry that provides a powerful source of nutrition to feed the world and boost economic growth.”

Iowa is a national leader in soybean production due to the state’s dedicated agriculture providers. To boost productivity and ensure the quality of Iowa’s natural resources for future generations, Iowa soybean farmers continue to scale conservation practices to improve water quality and soil health. ISA has played a critical role in the progress toward Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy, working directly with farmers, partner organizations, municipalities and government agencies to increase acres utilizing in- and edge-of-field practices. These include cover crop adoption, prescriptive planting, controlled drainage, saturated buffers, bioreactors and management of manure, tillage and pests.

To mark the occasion, ISA is celebrating Soybean Month in Iowa by:

• Promoting the many products and uses derived from soybeans through special programs and partnerships, including a soy-based asphalt project at the Central Iowa Expo Grounds in Boone;

• Meeting with soybean farmers at district meetings throughout Iowa;

• Celebrating significant events and sharing soybean research results across ISA social platforms;

• Renewing ISA’s sponsorships of the Iowa State Fair trams and biodiesel-powered team buses for the University of Iowa and Iowa State University; and

• Increasing awareness for on-farm practices yielding water quality and soil health improvements.

To learn more, visit iasoybeans.com.