A Bright Future in Bioproducts

By David Struck

Soybeans haven’t been grown in South Dakota or even the United States for all that long. But in just a few generations, they’ve become one of our most important crops. Most of the soybeans we raise are still used the way they always have been: as a high-protein feed source for livestock here and around the world. But the soybean story continues to evolve, and the future is full of promise.

Thanks to research and innovation, we’ve uncovered dozens of new uses for soybeans, especially soybean oil. Once considered a byproduct of meal production, oil is now a major driver of value. It is being used in renewable diesel, biodiesel, tires, asphalt sealants, engine lubricants, crayons, cosmetics and more. These soy-based bioproducts offer clear environmental benefits and give consumers more sustainable choices. For farmers, that’s a win.

Now, the momentum we’ve seen with oil is expanding into soybean meal as well. While animal feed remains its primary use, soybean meal is being used in innovative new products like soy-based firefighting foam. Soybeans are also playing a growing role in human diets as a valuable source of protein that is composed of essential amino acids.

At the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, we’re investing checkoff dollars into research that supports these kinds of innovations. Every new use helps build long-term opportunities for farmers and brings value to people who use soy-based products every day.

Whether it is fueling a truck, coloring with crayons, or improving everyday products, soybeans are showing up in more places than ever. And we’re just getting started.