Conservation Practices Offer Soybean Farmers A Win-Win Scenario

Conservation practices have been in place on countless South Dakota farms for generations, in many cases. However, recent pressure — both from environmentally conscious consumers and increased regulatory measures — has brought topics like soil management, carbon sequestration and other concerns to the forefront for many local producers.

Through their checkoff, South Dakota soybean farmers have invested in research both to quantify the impact of common farming methods and identify ways to further optimize the management of soil, water, inputs and more. They have also supported the development of new uses for soybeans that offer a renewable, environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum and other fossil fuels.

Conservation practices benefit farmers

Bruce Haines farms near Mitchell, South Dakota, and serves as District 1 Director for the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council. He is proud of the practices he and other farmers have adopted that lay the groundwork for the sustainable, responsible production of food and fuel for the world.

"We as farmers cherish our land," says Haines. "We all want to keep our land, water and farming practices as safe and efficient as we possibly can. And with conservation, we can raise more bushels using less fertilizer, using less pesticides, using less inputs."

Haines is quick to point out that, for many farmers, these regenerative practices are nothing new. "I've been farming for 40-plus years, and I have ground that I haven't tilled in over 30 years," says Haines. "[Conservation practices] have been around for hundreds of years.

To be sure, many of these practices build upon conservation principles that have advanced agriculture in South Dakota for generations. They help promote soil health and increased yields, securing good returns in the here and now while promoting productive fields over the long haul.

Haines credits his no-till approach with improving water infiltration in his soil, which in turn helped mitigate some of the effects of severe flooding experienced throughout the region last June.

Farmers allocate checkoff dollars toward research on tillage practices, in addition to many other conservation activities such as limiting the use of synthetic fertilizers, growing cover crops and optimizing production practices.

There is increased demand for sustainable U.S. Soy

Haines and his fellow South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council directors also point to the reality that international buyers increasingly factor sustainability into purchasing decisions.

In recent years, the U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP) has emerged to evaluate the environmentally responsible practices exhibited by American producers. SSAP evaluates multiple considerations, including deforestation, soil management, water conservation, pesticide use and more. This stamp of approval is widely recognized on the global market, leading some buyers to show a preference for soybeans grown in the U.S.

"That's important to the [international] consumer," says Haines, noting that as much as 70 percent of all soybeans harvested in the U.S. are exported to foreign markets each year. "We want to be able to produce the safest, most responsible food in the world," he says.

New uses for soybeans expand the sustainability narrative

Checkoff-funded efforts to develop new industrial uses for soy — from biofuels and road sealants to rubber tires and shoe soles to artificial turf and fire suppressants — have ushered in a paradigm shift as the world races to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels like petroleum.

USDA has yet to release 2024 data on domestic biodiesel and renewable diesel production, but Clean Fuels Alliance America projects that the total will surpass 5 billion gallons. With new processing plants coming online throughout the Midwest — including the Mitchell-area site slated to open later this fall — the future looks increasingly bright for soybeans.

"I feel more excited about soybeans every day," he continues, "because the more you learn about them, the more that one little soybean can do for you. It used to be that soybeans were in a hundred different products; now, we're talking thousands."

Recent efforts by South Dakota farmers to accelerate the development of new uses have focused on opening the POET Bioproducts Center in Brookings — a tangible reminder of checkoff investment in the future of soybeans and sustainability.

"We've just got to unlock that potential of that soybean," says Haines. "And here we go — we're off to the races."

Learn more about sustainability efforts

Supporting farmers in their conservation efforts and promoting the sustainability narrative of soybean production remains a top priority for the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council. To learn more about these checkoff-funded activities, talk to your local district director or visit sdsoybean.org.