Good stewardship, new technology, and innovative best practices allow U.S. soybean farmers to grow more food on less land using fewer resources, delivering the sustainable outcomes our customers desire. Study after study, including a recent AEM study supported by ASA on the environmental benefits of precision agriculture, confirms U.S. farmers – and soy farmers, specifically – are truly doing more with less.
Industry commitment: The soy industry is working in lockstep to elevate our sustainability efforts. ASA advocates in D.C. to inform policy and regulatory decisions that help soy farmers and agriculture be an integral part of a viable sustainability framework. USB funds research projects and participates in grower outreach supporting sustainability practices on farm. An example is USB’s funding of the 2021 USFRA study on sustainable ag tech investment, which analyzes emerging soil health technology and the need for commercialization of climate-smart technologies through private sector funding. USSEC informs global markets of U.S. soy’s sustainability commitment, including the U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP). At the state level, soybean affiliates advocate for best state policy decisions, and state checkoffs promote best farming practices to foster sustainability.
Individual farmer commitment: The ultimate goal of our farmers is that their farms and their land be better than the year before in all aspects – soil health, nutrient management, water use, productivity, and more. This will ensure soybean farming remains a sustainable endeavor now and in the future. On many farms, technology plays an integral role in every aspect of the operation. These technology advancements now allow farmers to grow more food on less land and use pinpoint accuracy when applying fertilizer, water, and pesticides. Hands-on sustainability practices like crop rotation, reduced tillage, cover crops, and water and soil management help establish a sustainable production system.
Policy priorities: ASA supports mandatory farm bill funding for voluntary conservation programs, including the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).
Resources: Allied soy organization USB has compiled tips and infographics for the soy industry encouraging Year-Round Sustainability Practices, along with this helpful Soy Sustainability Video produced by the soy checkoff and ASA in 2020. And, access the Soy Connection website, a consumer-facing educational tool that asks consumers to commit to supporting U.S. farmers and shares how those farmers are committed to responsible agriculture practices.
