Soybean Month in August Celebrates the Crop’s Local and Global Contributions

Soybean Month in August Celebrates the Crop's Local and Global Contributions

August 28, 2024 | Brock Johnston

Ankeny, Iowa - Bolstered demand and a growing portfolio of uses prove homegrown soybeans are an economic, social and environmental driver for Iowa. These benefits were reinforced through a proclamation signed this week by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds at the 2024 Farm Progress Show in Boone.

In August, Soybean Month in Iowa brings attention to the versatile crop responsible for feeding and fueling the world. From clean-burning biodiesel and feed for livestock, poultry and dairy to a variety of food and industrial products, uses derived from soybeans are nearly endless.

"The industry has experienced tremendous growth in soybean production and consumption in recent decades, both in Iowa and across the world," said Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) President Suzanne Shirbroun of Farmersburg. "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 37,000 soybean farmers harvested 573 million bushels of soybeans in 2023 - nearly 14% of the nation's total output.

The variety of soy-based products offered in grocery retailers has 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.

Around 733 million people faced hunger in 2023, according to a recent report published by the World Health Organization. Due to soybean's nutrient composition and adoption of sustainable 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 a growing need throughout the world," said Shirbroun. "It's because of continued checkoff investment by U.S. soybean farmers that we're able to keep producing high-quality, reliable protein to support our communities and the world."

Iowa is a national leader in soybean production due to the state's dedicated farmers. 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 defining decade of 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 learn more, visit iasoybeans.com.

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Funded by the soybean checkoff

The Iowa Soybean Association (www.iasoybeans.com) is "Driven To Deliver" increased soybean demand through market development and new uses, farmer-focused research and results, timely information and know-how and policy initiatives enabling farmers and the industry to flourish. Founded in 1964 by farmers to serve farmers, ISA is governed by a board of 22 farmers to advocate on behalf of the state's 40,000 soybean producers, including more than 15,000 ISA farmer members and industry stakeholders.

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