Soybeans For Renewable Energy

This is Tim Hammerich of the Ag Information Network with your Farm of the Future Report.

Finding unconventional energy sources is a big priority on the minds of many global leaders today, including those involved in agriculture. The soybean industry has invested checkoff dollars to capitalize on this movement and meet the growing needs of society, says Meagan Kaiser, chair of the United Soybean Board.

Kaiser… “We’re thinking a lot about green alternatives to fuel feedstocks and we’re set up today because of those investments in the past and we kind of have our moment to shine, really. We’re not at biodiesel but now renewable diesel which is a complete drop-in replacement for diesel fuel. We’re looking at sustainable aviation fuel as the world looks at what’s a more fuel-efficient way that we can continue to travel and meet, but also we want to lessen our impact on the earth. Again, soybean farmers have this huge role to play, and so the soy checkoff, what our role has been is a lot of the science and development of actually making these deals happen. We also look at the infrastructure. We look at ways to make sure the world knows that our carbon intensity and how sustainably we farm in the U.S., lends itself that you can use U.S. soy as a feedstock in your fuel source, and that has an impact on your overall sustainability as well.”

Kaiser added that the board continues to explore opportunities in new and emerging markets.