Biotechnology can hold the key
U.S. agriculture, as much as any other industry, stands at the forefront of the complex issue of sustainability. Soybean farmers, for instance, grow a crop that is useful in providing nutritious human food, protein-rich animal feed and renewable fuel for a demanding and growing global population. Sometimes, uninformed individuals misunderstand our production practices, but know this: For us, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword — it’s how we make a living. In order for us to plant, grow and harvest a crop every year, we ultimately benefit from protecting our water supply and conserving our soil.
As far as the many different crops go, the soybean industry has a solid sustainability track record. Planted on a record 77.5 million acres in the United States this year, this amazing legume puts nitrogen back into the soil. This results in the significant reduction of fertilizer applications for crops grown after soybeans as part of a rotation. For 30 years or more, U.S. soybean farmers have taken to reduced-till and no-till production practices very well. A relatively high percentage of U.S. soybean farmers use reduced-till or no-till methods, which retain moisture in soil and decrease erosion.
The progression of biotechnology, however, could prove to be the single biggest development in the quest to make agriculture more sustainable and will continue to raise the sustainability ceiling for my industry. The pipeline of new U.S. glyphosate-tolerant soybean varieties with improved traits not only offers benefits to farmers by improving, simplifying and streamlining production practices, but also benefits consumers in the form of better nutritional content. Soybeans improved through the use of biotechnology also have the potential to allow poultry, pork and fish greater digestibility of soy — an amazing source of protein — therefore reducing the environmental impact of animal waste.
According to a 2007 report from the National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy on the overall impact of biotechnology for U.S. agriculture, biotechnology continues to increase yields and decrease inputs needed, making the entire crop-producing process generally more efficient. Crop production increased by nearly 130 million bushels in 2006 from 2005, while production costs, including pesticide use, decreased by $1.9 billion.
We must continue to provide science-based information to inform the rest of the world on the potential benefits of biotechnology and convince them to approve these beneficial, new varieties.
Due in part to biotechnology, U.S. soybean farmers and the rest of the industry will continue to meet the needs of all who depend on them: The poultry, livestock and aquaculture industries that use soybean meal as feed; the human population, which counts soybean oil as a major food ingredient; and the manufacturing sector, which turns soybean oil into biodiesel and other green products, many of which are usable in everyday life.
Biotechnology and best practices for agriculture will continue to evolve. At every turn, U.S. soybean farmers will evolve with them, keeping agriculture sustainable for generations to come.
Sharon Covert is the director of the United Soybean Board and a soybean farmer from Tiskilwa.
