U.S. soybean farmers are now seeing their products come full circle as new soy-based products hit the market in 2016. For example, Bridgestone tires, RAPTOR tractor belts, and John Deere tractors now have components made with U.S. soybeans.
“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 United Soybean Board (USB) farmer-leader, in a recent release. “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.
