If you’ve ever wondered what kind of impact you have on the country as a soybean grower, the United Soybean Board has the answer.
“Some really eye-opening contributions that the soy sector adds to the national economy. $124 billion per year. That’s a big, big number,” says Ed Lammers, USB Secretary and a Nebraska farmer.
Lammers is referring to a recent economic impact study to engage farmers and the agricultural community about the importance of the soybean industry to the U.S. and state economies.
“We have a lot of jobs that also fall in that economy, with 223,000 paid full-time jobs. So, those are some really big, big numbers and goes to emphasize the importance of the soybean sector.”
USB partnered with the National Oilseed Processors Association to commission the study. Lammers explains why this study is so important for farmers.
“We get in our daily routines, and we don’t think about that big picture. This kind of brings attention to the importance of what we do every day and how it affects other people and the national economy. The value chain is wide and big. You know, you’ve got fertilizers, you’ve got transportation, you’ve got the crush, you’ve got oil, we’ve got meal, and we’ve got animal foods. It’s a miracle bean is what it is.”
Lammers says the economic impact stretches well beyond the farm, with new innovations for soybeans that are used in over 1,000 products.
“New innovations that are coming out and most people probably are not aware of is this year’s soy foam that fire departments are using for retardants on special chemicals. You know, any food processors where chemicals would not be friendly to the processor, soy is degradable. So that soy foam really has a unique priority to it. Other things are seed lubricants. As soybean producers, we always put some kind of a treatment on our seed to make it flow better so it doesn’t plug up on our rows or whatever.”
And soybeans help keep you grounded- literally. They’re also used in the soles of Skecher’s shoes and on Goodyear tires. Learn more at unitedsoybean.org.
