Johnson explains that soybeans fit into various rotation lineups and work well with cover crops to lay a solid foundation for improved soil management practices. They also work with bacteria to fix nitrogen in the soil, reducing farmers’ dependency on commercial N fertilizer.
When talking to other farmers about soil health and its importance to sustainable production, she likens the earth to the human body. “You don't want to eat the same thing over and over again,” says Johnson. “And the same thing with your soil, you know, having that diverse rotation and different things growing in your soil makes it healthier.”
Sustainability Through Soy-based Innovation
The soybean sustainability narrative continues far beyond harvest. A rapidly growing portfolio of soy-based products — from biofuels like biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to road sealants to rubber tires and shoe soles — have taken center stage in the ongoing efforts to reduce our societal dependence on fossil fuels.
“Anything ‘green’ is being looked at as the future,” says Jason Frerichs, who farms in the northeast corner of the state near Wilmot, South Dakota. A former state legislator, Frerichs now serves as District 8 Director and Chairman for the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council. In his mind, the environmental benefits presented by soy-based products are and will continue to be a boon to South Dakota soybean farmers. “There’s so much untapped potential, especially as we see the shift away from petroleum,” he says.
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