Soybean farmers and processors have significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions from soybeans and soy products since 2015, according to an analysis commissioned by the United Soybean Board and the National Oilseed Processors Association.
From 2015 to 2021, the global warming potential of soybeans declined by 19%, while the GWP of crude soybean oil dropped 22%, the analysis found. GWP reductions for soybean meal and refined soybean oil were 6% and 8% lower, respectively. GWP measurements allow comparisons between various greenhouse gases.
In a release, the organizations cited several reasons for the emissions reduction, including a 24% increase in crop yields and improvements in land management. Conservation tillage and cover crops also have played a role, as have technological improvements and efficiencies in oilseed processing, including a shift from coal to natural gas for energy.
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The assessment conducted by Sustainable Solutions Corp. used cultivation data gleaned from surveying 454 farms in 16 states; 75% of the producers are located in Iowa, South Dakota, Illinois, Minnesota and Ohio. Information also was analyzed from 52 soybean processors and 27 soy oil refiners.
“This body of research helps farmers better assess and understand soy’s contribution to the environmental impacts throughout the life cycle of the entire soybean value chain. Ultimately this data can competitively position our downstream products such as human foods, animal feeds, biofuels and other industrial applications,” said United Soybean Board CEO Lucas Lentsch.
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