Guest blog post by Aaron Putze, Director of Communications & External Relations for the Iowa Soybean Association
August is the month when people say “the soybean crop is made,” make it fitting for August to be proclaimed Soybean Month in Iowa.
The declaration, signed July 29 by Gov. Terry Branstad, recognizes the importance of soybean production and the work of the Iowa Soybean Association.
Founded in 1964, the Iowa Soybean Association is recognized for excellence in enhancing the long term sustainability of Iowa’s soybean farmers. Our mission is to expand opportunities and deliver results for soybean farmers to improve their competiveness. And our launch of the Iowa Food & Family Project in 2011 is generating greater confident and trust among food-minded Iowans in today’s farm and food system.
Iowa soybean farmers are also among the nation’s most productive. Last year, they grew more than 505 million bushels of soybeans, the third largest crop on record. This productivity goes hand-in-hand with environmental performance.
Last year, the soybean checkoff invested $1.2 million to support water quality activities which leveraged $1.4 million in additional federal, state and local funding. This investment supports 26 active ISA-led water quality projects and 17 water monitoring projects involving 115 farmers and 436 sites, 220 tile lines and 169 streams.
A few more interesting facts about soybeans and 2014 Iowa Soybean Production:
- 9.9 million acres of soybeans were planted
- 505.7 million bushels harvested
- Average yield was 51.5 bushels per acre
- Average market price was $10.10
- Value of Iowa soybean crop was $5.1 billion
Soybeans are used in:
- Whole soybean products
- Candy and confection
- Cookies
- Soy coffee
- Soynuts and edamame
- Traditional soyfoods including Miso, Natto, Soymilk, Tofu and Soy Sauce
- Anti-corrosive agents
- Diesel fuel
- Dust control agent
- Inks, printing
- Linoleum backing
- Protective coatings
- Liquid shortening
- Margarine
- Mayonnaise
- Salad dressing
- Sandwich spreads
- Cosmetics
- Baby food
- Cereals
- Aquaculture
- Bee foods
- Poultry feeds
- Swine feeds
- Asphalt emulsions
- Leather substitutes
- Dairy feed
For more information about soybeans, soy-based products and the ISA, go to www.iasoybeans.com.