Just like biodegradable plastics and water conservation, U.S. Soy is a major player in the sustainability movement. This starts with U.S. soybean farmers, who are committed to sustainable farming and constant innovation. As self-declared stewards of the land, these farmers are using regenerative farming practices to build and maintain healthy soil for generations to come.
Through methods like crop rotation, cover crops, and no-till farming, U.S. soybean farmers are working to increase the carbon in our soil and decrease the carbon in our atmosphere, a process called carbon sequestration. And their efforts are paying off. Since 1980, U.S. soybean farmers have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 43% and energy usage per bushel by 46%.
Climate-friendly agriculture is one aspect of U.S.-grown soy’s sustainability—technology is another. Through the use of biotechnology, U.S. soybean growers can reduce the use of herbicides and decrease weed and insect pressure, both of which contribute to increased yields of high-quality soybeans. Through precision farming, GPS, and satellite mapping, these farmers can improve their seed planting and spraying, while optimizing their land more sustainably. Sounds like an inspiring future in the works!