Every Day is Earth Day for Farmers
Earth Day will be celebrated this Friday, April 22.
Compiled by staff
Published: Apr 21, 2011
For over 40 years, Earth Day, April 22, has inspired and mobilized individuals and organizations worldwide to demonstrate their commitment to environmental protection and sustainability. American Soybean Association Chairman Rob Joslin says U.S. soybean farmers celebrate Earth Day every day by sustainably producing food, feed and fuel.
"The American Soybean Association salutes the U.S. farmers who have improved the environment while at the same time producing food, fuel and fiber," Joslin said. "The world needs increasing amounts of food and fuel from U.S. soybeans, which our farmers produce in an environmentally friendly and very importantly, a sustainable manner."
Joslin says U.S. soybean farmers have a very positive story to tell on Earth Day as they continue to produce more with less.
"U.S. soybean farmers are the true story that needs to be told on Earth Day," Joslin said. "For over two decades U.S. farmers have produced more with less. More yield per acre, less land loss of soil, less energy and less water usage. Improved management such as conservation tillage have resulted in improved soil loss indicators over time. Energy use per acre has declined by 48% and energy per bushel of production has decreased by 65%."
Joslin adds that soybean products help move the U.S. toward energy independence and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
"Sixty pound bushel of soybeans can be made into 48 pounds of a high protein livestock feed, soybean meal and 11 pounds of soybean oil," Joslin said. "The oil is used for human consumption such as salad oil and cooking. The oil is also often converted to industrial products such as ink, lubricants and biodiesel. Biodiesel is the only commercially available advanced biofuel available in the U.S. and the use of biodiesel significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions."
Joslin says U.S. soybean farmers are stewards of, and partners with, the land.
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Tagged: soybean, biodiesel, soybeans, Bushel, soybean association
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