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A new standard for climate-smart farming with U.S. Soy

U.S. farmers are leading the charge for creating new sustainability practices, protecting our land while increasing yields to feed our growing population. Read More

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Young soybean plants start to sprout through the soil. Source: USB owned photos

This article is sponsored by U.S. Soy.

Strengthening our current food system remains top of mind as the agriculture industry in the United States experiences the increasing effects of climate change. In fact, 70 percent of Americans believe it’s important to eat foods produced using methods and practices that contribute to the long-term health of the environment.

The agriculture industry accounts for an estimated 10.6 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). I, along with my fellow U.S. farmers, are doing our part to reduce the carbon footprint of food production while protecting surrounding ecosystems. As we continue to battle challenging growing conditions, such as extreme temperatures and droughts, we are actively looking for innovative solutions to meet consumer needs while trying to maximize yields.

Taking a holistic view of our operation, we not only look at crops for food production, but also cover crops to improve soil health and buffer crops to reduce our impact on surrounding water systems. For instance, on my farm in Ohio, we plant rye, barley and red clover as cover crops — our soybeans are almost 100 percent no-till, which helps preserve soil health.

U.S. farmers are leaders in sustainable farming. We use a variety of techniques to ensure this, such as GPS monitors in our equipment as well as regenerative practices spanning cover crop integration and no-till techniques, and most important, we champion Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA). This new approach ensures our soil remains nutrient-dense in the face of warming climate conditions.

Additionally, U.S. Soy collectively commits to meeting rising consumer demand for sustainably grown ingredients, and as an organization, we are responding to renewed consumer concerns on the impact of carbon emissions from agricultural practices.

Growing more with less

Every farmer is a conservationist working to preserve soil health and protect natural resources. However, the recent increase in focus on sustainable farming is being driven by companies and consumers who want to know more about where their food comes from.

Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) is the result of those increased demands. CSA is a philosophy that aims to increase agricultural productivity, adapt and build resilience to climate change, and reduce GHG emissions, where possible. This means growing more with less, safeguarding crops against unpredictable weather and developing farming methods that have a much smaller environmental footprint—and we have already seen the benefits. CSA practices, such as cover cropping, help increase the amount of carbon dioxide captured by the soil, which decreases GHG emissions in our atmosphere.

A recent life cycle assessment for U.S. Soy found that the industry’s carbon footprint decreased considerably in 2021 for all U.S. Soy commodities compared to 2015, including a 19 percent decrease for U.S. soybeans, a 6 percent decrease for U.S. soybean meal, a 22 percent decrease for U.S. crude soy oil and an 8 percent decrease for U.S. refined soy oil (from co-located processing and refineries).

As U.S. farmers, we also invest in stress-resistant crop varieties, which produce better yields and higher-quality food. These hardier crops are more likely to survive severe weather such as drought or flood, ensuring food security and consistency in supply. The advances in seed technology have contributed to a 24 percent increase in yields since 2015.

Expanding sustainability beyond the farm

CSA is nurturing the biodiversity of agricultural land. Every time consumers or food companies opt for sustainable U.S. Soy, they support a comprehensive system of biodiversity efforts with a low carbon footprint compared to soybeans of other origins, alternative plant proteins and vegetable oils.

In recent years, the U.S. has sought to revitalize its commitment to biodiversity, with new laws and programs shifting towards a greener, more sustainable future. As farmers, we understand the importance of preserving the soil and resources on and off the farm. Concurrently, we are often left out of conversations regarding land use changes and their collective impact on agriculture.

American grasslands play a key role in both reducing emissions and sequestering more carbon dioxide. However, there’s currently inconsistency in how these grasslands are accounted for in land use conversation. On my farm, looking at ways to improve conservation and land management is important. For example, the grids monitoring our fields started at 5 acres, then we dropped them to 2.5 acres. Today, the grids are set at an acre and even half-acre, which helps improve input adjustments for soil health and crop productivity.

Because farmers historically haven’t been invited to provide input on land use change, U.S. Soy created a multistakeholder effort to align on a methodology for land use change measurement. The focus is to develop a framework that provides improved farmland preservation, greater certainty for native and natural ecosystem protection, access to global markets and carbon accounting.

Sustaining a better future

As we continue prioritizing sustainability, consumers can feel good about purchasing products made with U.S. Soy.

Businesses also recognize the importance of sustainable supply chains. Companies that invest in CSA-sourced soy ingredients can bolster their corporate responsibility credentials and appeal to a growing eco-conscious market segment.

By investing in U.S. Soy, companies and consumers are investing in America’s future. With company and consumer support, farmers can continue to expand CSA efforts, helping ensure that agricultural landscapes and the surrounding areas can continue to thrive for generations to come.

Learn more about the sustainability benefits of U.S. Soy at ussoy.org/sustainability.

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