Iowa Soybean Review | May 2022 by Iowa Soybean Association

May 2022

Expanding Demand Through New Uses

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 1

Executive Committee President Robb Ewoldt, Davenport | D6 President Elect Randy Miller, Lacona | D8 Treasurer Dave Walton, Wilton | D6

May 2022 | Vol. 34, No. 7

Secretary Suzanne Shirbroun, Farmersburg | D3 At-Large Director Jeff Frank, Auburn | D4

Iowa Soybean Review is published monthly by: Iowa Soybean Association 1255 SW Prairie Trail Parkway, Ankeny, Iowa 50023 (515) 251-8640 | iasoybeans.com E-mail: bbaratta@iasoybeans.com For advertising information in the Iowa Soybean Review, please contact Bethany Baratta at (515) 334-1020 or bbaratta@iasoybeans.com. Comments and statewide news articles should be sent to the above address. Advertising space reservations must be made by the first day of the month preceding publication. In consideration of the acceptance of the advertisement, the agency and the advertiser must, in respect of the contents of the advertisement, indemnify and save the publisher harmless against any expense arising from claims or actions against the publisher because of the publication of the content of the advertisement.

12 Soy’s Third Word

Soy: It’s food and fuel. What’s next?

18 Hitting the Road

Collaboration between Skechers and Goodyear boosts demand for soy.

22 New Era Ames-

based company developing an autonomous planter.

26 Soy Glow

Soy illuminates Iowa candle company.

On the Cover: Soy is a critical component for Eric and Janet Sparrow’s businesses in northern Iowa. Soy is used in blends for their Milkhouse Candle Co. candles, and in creating soy beads for their American Soy Organics line of products.

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 3

Executive Insights Kirk Leeds, ISA Chief Executive Off icer kleeds@iasoybeans.com

Pedal to the Metal

he commute from my home in Boone to the office in Ankeny is one I’ve made countless times during my 30-plus years with the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA). Using the most direct route (literally drawing a straight line from Boone to Ankeny) would seem to be the most logical path. But taking it would require navigating some pretty rough terrain and even going off-road at times. Instead, I utilize fourlane highways, knowing that although this route adds miles to the trip, the journey is much more desirable. In many ways, the work we do in developing new uses for soy is like my travel to and from the office. There are no shortcuts to building market access. Developing products or innovating existing ones that can incorporate soy take time and effort. Rarely is there a straight line between what you produce and what people want. Instead, you must go the extra mile and make the extra effort.

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That’s certainly true for soy, with China as a prime example. It took U.S. soybean farmers 25 years of building relationships and promoting their product before China purchased one bushel. It was a long and winding road to create demand in the country of 1.4 billion, but the destination was indeed worth the journey. And look how far we’ve come. From inclusion in biofuels and tires; to feed for fish, poultry, and livestock; to oil for sneakers, asphalt and roofing rejuvenators; we’ve put the pedal to the metal by advancing the quality of what we produce and how soy is used. The road from the field to production to use is filled with twists and turns. You’re often charting new territory and will undoubtedly encounter dead ends along the way. After all, what established product wants more competition or less market share? Therefore, there’s also risk in making the journey. But ISA

farmer leaders have always been willing to go where others won’t by funding research to create new uses. This is a unique value proposition of the checkoff and one that’s served the industry well. As we look to the future of new uses for soy, the ultimate destination should always be where higher value intersects with greater volume. New products that move large quantities of soybeans and provide significant value back to the farmer should take priority. That’s why the continued growth of livestock and renewable energy production is vital and the focus of ISA’s demand initiatives. My daily commute, building markets and new uses for soy have a lot in common. But I can tell you the latter is incredibly more fulfilling. It’s a privilege to be on this journey with you as we continue creating markets and value for soybean farmers. Enjoy the ride in this edition of the Iowa Soybean Review.

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Legislation Fuels Growth in Biodiesel Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Biodiesel Board applaud legislature’s passage of landmark biofuel bill BY BROCK JOHNSTON

he Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) and Iowa Biodiesel Board (IBB) heralded the Iowa Legislature’s passage of some of the most comprehensive biofuels legislation in the United States The legislation, signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds May 17 on a farm near Prairie City, (HF2128/SSB3084) will encourage the sale of higher blends of biodiesel through an incentivebased approach. It will also make E15 ethanol more available statewide, with enhanced infrastructure cost-share opportunities for retailers.

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“This legislation will bring Iowa to the forefront of homegrown energy,” says ISA President Robb Ewoldt, a soybean farmer from Davenport. “As land stewards and community leaders across our 99 counties, the state’s 40,000 soybean growers understand the important role of biofuels in growing communities and investing in cleaner-burning fuels to meet carbon reduction goals.” By increasing soybean oil value, biodiesel supports 13% of the price per bushel of soybeans. This equated

to $1.78 per bushel in 2021, while lowering the price of meal for livestock producers and the food supply. “We're grateful for Gov. Reynolds’ leadership and positioning our state as a leader on sustainable energy,” Ewoldt says. Grant Kimberley, ISA’s senior director of market development and IBB executive director, applauded the passage. “We anticipate that this landmark Iowa legislation will increase consumer access to higher blends of biodiesel,”

ISA President Robb Ewoldt says the passage of the bill strengthens demand for homegrown energy.

Kimberley says. “Consumers, the economy and the environment all stand to gain.” The legislation is the most comprehensive of any state and offers something for everyone. This includes the continuation of a fuel tax differential for consumers, infrastructure dollars and tax credits for fuel retailers, and an increased biodiesel production tax credit for producers. Previous legislation successfully encouraged blends of 11% biodiesel (B11).

“In a sense, we have reached a plateau,” Kimberley adds. “We are eager to move Iowa’s energy transformation onward and upward toward more B20.” The legislation comes at a critical time. Supply chain challenges and federal policy limbo create a precarious time for the industry. The expansion of Iowa’s producer credit offers a new cushion for biodiesel producers. Worldwide uncertainty and fuel price instability also impacts consumers, Kimberley says. “A diverse fuel supply with more low-carbon fuel made in America benefits everyone,” he says. “The

passage of the Governor’s Biofuel Access Bill makes us optimistic for Iowa’s future as the leading biodieselproducing state.” The biodiesel portion of the bill increases the Biodiesel Production Tax Credit from 2 to 4 cents per gallon. It also maintains the current Biodiesel Fuel Tax Differential, but applies this to blends of 20% biodiesel (B20) rather than B11. The fuel retailer tax credits for B11 and higher is extended while introducing new credits for higher blends like B20 and (7 cents per gallon for B20 and 10 cents per gallon for B30). Finally, the bill expands statewide funding for the state’s Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Program. Contact Brock Johnston at bjohnston@iasoybeans.com.

“ W e’ r e grateful for G o v. Reynolds’ leadership and positioning our state as a leader on sustainable energy.” — Robb Ewoldt, farmer f rom Davenport

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Cultivating Relationships Ambassador’s visit stresses opportunity in expanding trade BY BETHANY BARATTA

en years after hosting then-Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping, the Kimberley family hosted Qin Gang, Chinese Ambassador to the U.S., on their farm near Maxwell. It was part of the ambassador’s visit to the U.S. with his wife and others, exploring cooperation opportunities and learning about the advanced technology used on the farm. “We want to tell you how pleased and happy we are to have you here today in our home,” says Rick Kimberley, greeting his guests. The visit to the Kimberley farm followed the U.S.-China High-Level Agricultural Dialogue, which took place the night before at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates in Des Moines. A focus of the event was the relationship between Iowa farmers and Chinese consumers. The visit to the Kimberley farm was an

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extension of that discussion between the largest global purchaser of soy (China) and a top supplier of U.S.-grown soy (Iowa farmers).

Finding efficencies The Kimberleys roots in America date back to the 1860s when they emigrated from England. Rick and Martha farm with their son, Grant, senior director of market development for the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) and executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board. Efficiencies have improved since the 1800s. Several generations later, the Kimberley family has traded in the horses typically seen on an Iowa farm for 600-horsepower tractors. All the while, they’ve managed the risks: weather, financial, environmental and technology. “It’s not easy,” says Rick Kimberley,

an ISA farmer member. “You have to be able to adjust and adapt.” They’ve grown soybean production from 25 bushels per acre in the 1970s to 75 bushels per acre in 2021. During the same period, corn yields have improved from 125 bushels to 250 bushels per acre. “China is an important partner with us in agriculture – a very large buyer of soybeans and corn, and it’s really important for us that we can continue to grow significant crops,” Kimberley says. “But we have to do it in a safe, secure and sustainable manner.” The Kimberleys are frequent travelers to China, traveling more than 20 times to visit the country’s farmers. They also work in the Hebei province on a demonstration farm to showcase modern farming techniques modeled after their family farm. Iowa and Hebei, China, have had a sister-state relationship since 1983.

Rick Ki mb e rley, right, shows Chinese Ambassador to the United States Qin Gang how technology and tractors have added eff iciency to the farm.

The 45-minute conversation in the living room of the Kimberley’s ranch-style home bounced between a discussion about grain storage, the Ukraine-Russia war and its impact on global agriculture, how farmers determine what they’ll plant from year to year, and how the Chinese buyers and U.S. farmers could benefit from increased trade. It culminated with a gift exchange, a sampling of Iowa foods in the Kimberley kitchen, and when the rain lifted, a tour of the farm and a ride in the tractor Xi drove during his 2012 visit.

Growth in demand To become less reliant on global soybean suppliers, China’s leadership in 2019 set a goal to produce about 23 million metric tons of soybeans by the end of 2025, up 40% from recent production of 16.4 million metric tons. However, soybean production in 2021 fell 16% from 2020 as markets favored corn production, and farmers responded by planting more corn over soybeans. Thus, imports of soybeans increased. Due to limited land availability and a growing population, China grows 15 to 20% of its total need annually for food and feed. The rest,

more than 80%, is imported from the U.S. and other global sources. U.S. soybeans accounted for about 37% of China’s soybean imports between September 2020 and March 2021 (marketing year 2020/21). China’s purchases of soybeans grew in marketing year 2021/22 (September 2021 to March 2022), according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Year-to-date information shows China imported 49.7 million metric tons from all sources, 48% of which were sourced from the U.S. China is expected to import 99 million metric tons in marketing year 2022/23, according to the USDA’s May World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report. “China is the largest buyer of soy in the world, so they need to have multiple sources,” says Jim Sutter, CEO of the U.S. Soybean Export Council. “But they count on the U.S. because of our reliability, quality, and, in an increasing way, the sustainability because that’s becoming more important.” The potential for further cooperation and trade between China and the U.S. is immense, Gang and Kimberley agree. “The U.S. and China are the

world leaders, and we need to take that to heart – not just to say it,” Kimberley says. “If our two countries can come together, the rest of the world can come together.” Increased cooperation and trade between the countries will ultimately improve profits for American farmers, aid in meeting the needs of Chinese consumers and support global food supply stability, Gang and Kimberley assert. “We are facing many uncertainties globally … but China will continue to buy more U.S. agriculture products,” Gang says. “This is the foundation.” Contact Bethany Baratta at bbaratta@iasoybeans.com.

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Dive Into Water Monitoring with ISA Researchers BY BROCK JOHNSTON

owa farmers value data and science to solve problems. As land stewards, the state’s soybean growers continue to incorporate cutting edge tactics backed by research yielding tangible results to improve, enhance and restore natural resources benefiting all Iowans. The Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) Research Center for Farming Innovation (RCFI) has published a Water Monitoring Report for farmers, landowners and prospective partners interested in implementing or learning more about RCFI water management

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efforts. The resource provides valuable insights into water quality improvement practices, results and ISA engagement opportunities. “Knowledge gained from years of concerted research efforts with farmers, local government agencies, counties, municipalities, universities and ag retailers has allowed RCFI to position water monitoring, evaluation, programs and reliable information to interested growers and partners,” says Roger Wolf, RCFI director. Key areas of the inaugural

report include work on existing water monitoring efforts, watershed partnerships, and in-field and edge-offield practices, including cover crops, bioreactors, saturated buffers and drainage water recycling. Participating in ISA water monitoring and accessing management resources provide: •

Glimpses into ISA research projects, data sets and dynamics impacting water quality like weather, geography and land use. In 2021, data

paired from Agriculture’s Clean

A water monitoring report publ ished by ISA RCFI, provides insights into water quality improvement practices, results and proje ct engagement opportunities.

Water Alliance stream sites at U.S. Geological Service gage stations throughout Iowa ranked lowest on average for nitrate concentrations and export loads since 2007, except for the upper reach of the Boone River, ranking second lowest. The decrease in average nitrate concentration can be attributed in part to prolonged drought conditions across much of the state in 2021, as movement of water and subsequent nutrient exports from larger watersheds were impacted. Ongoing research is underway, studying the lingering effects of drought on nitrogen loss in the following year. •

2016 to 2021, annual average nitrate concentration at over half of 1,800 tile nitrate monitoring sites (54%) fell under a “medium” category. ISA researchers and others in the Midwest typically observe nitrate concentrations in this range for corn/soybean or continuous corn rotations using standard farm management practices. It indicates, however, the need for additional nutrient strategies, including cover crops or edge-of-field practices, to meet state nutrient reduction goals. Only 12% of sites showed a strong need for changing current nutrient management practices.

Insights into current conditions in nearby tile lines, streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands and more. Although

•

Opportunities to validate changes in water quality following the use of management techniques, products and practices. To

many sources contribute to nitrogen in surface water, subsurface drainage is a primary mode of nitrogen delivery. From

continue monitoring statewide water quality trends, ISA’s on-site water lab analyzed more than 4,100 individual samples as part

of 20 projects in 2021. Accredited by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the facility studies samples for common nutrients like nitrates, nitrites and phosphorus, as well as tests for turbidity, alkalinity and hardness, total phosphorus and ammonia nitrogen. Some factors, including nitrogen and crop and soil management, are manageable for farmers. Other factors, including geologic setting, environmental factors and nitrogen mineralization from soil organic matter, remain outside farmers’ control. “If you are a farmer or prospective partner wanting to learn more about water monitoring, research products, involvement opportunities or management practices, RCFI stands ready to engage with you,” says Wolf. Contact Brock Johnston at bjohnston@iasoybeans.com.

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Soy’s Third Word Soy is a food, fuel and much more thanks to emerging uses BY JOSEPH HOPPER

Checkoff investments drive innovation, says Ron Heck.

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oybeans are everywhere. They are in the food we eat, the vehicles we drive, the roads we drive on, the homes we live in, the periodicals we read and the shoes we wear. It’s even the turf for our favorite sports teams. Many farmers today call soybeans “food and fuel,” knowing the crops they grow will likely become food for both livestock and people as well as fuel for vehicles across the globe. Thanks to the development of new uses, soybeans serve more than a single purpose. Each new use developed and released commercially increases demand and has the potential to join “food” and “fuel” to become soy’s third word. “The reason we invest in new uses as soybean farmers is because we want to create markets to sell our products,” says Ron Heck, past president of the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) and the American Soybean Association. “If we didn’t make those investments, these products wouldn’t happen because no commercial company has the incentive to try these different new uses.” Heck, a lifelong farmer from Perry, says farmers must make the long-term investment in new uses to attract commercial funding, which then fully develops a market for soybeans. The investment, however, can take years or even decades to bear fruit. It’s something he knows firsthand, recalling the development of what was initially known as “soy diesel.” “There is no guarantee of success on any of these ideas,” Heck says.

“We didn’t think biodiesel was going to be this big. We were trying to find a market for our surplus oil because the world needed the protein from the meal and didn’t need the oil as much because no one had developed new uses for it.” Heck adds, “Somewhat reluctantly, the soybean industry tried soy diesel, and figured out how they could make it work. We weren’t looking for a huge market; we were just looking for a place to get rid of our excess oil.” Concerns about crude oil supply, cleaner air and carbon reductions have made renewable fuels more interesting, and we eventually had a hit on our hands.” Even with the initial success, it wasn’t until the movement behind soy diesel brought in additional partners. This added vegetable oils, used cooking oils and renderers into the mix for the birth and success of modern biodiesel as we know it today. “When we decided to bring in everybody it greatly increased our lobbying ability and the number of skilled people to help us all promote biodiesel rather than just soy diesel,” says Heck. Thirty years later, biodiesel is celebrated as a success. “We got the expertise and feedstocks supply and stuck with it,” Heck says. “It’s become a success.” Biodiesel is not the only new use the ISA has helped bring to fruition. Binders full of various new use research projects supported by ISA over multiple decades line the office of ISA Senior Director of Market

Development Grant Kimberley. Some were destined only to be research papers. Others became a real product, driving demand for the soybeans Iowa’s farmers grow. “It’s like having a balanced portfolio for your retirement investments,” Kimberley says. “We try to invest in opportunities that are diversified. Some will be bigger opportunities than others, and you don’t always know what will have the best long-term potential.” Individually, projects and new uses don’t demand a huge amount of soy. “But when they’re combined, it can add up,” Kimberley says. A key project ISA has recently been involved in is the research of bio-based asphalt. “Iowa State University started the work, and the United Soybean Board has been involved. They’re trying to see how it performs, and once the performance is verified, get some commercial end-users to start using it,” Kimberley says. Whether it’s a product using a little bit of soy or a lot, developing new uses for soybeans is essential. “You don’t really know how far it can go,” Heck says. “I remember when soy candles were new, which is important to me because I’m allergic to candles but not soy candles. These small markets are important; it introduces consumers to soy oil, then to soybeans and then to soybean farmers. It all helps when we get the next new idea.” Contact Joseph Hopper at jhopper@iasoybeans.com.

“The reason we invest in new uses as soyb e an farmers is b e cause we want to create markets to sell our products. ” — Ron Heck, past president of ISA

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 13

Dust Busters Soy-based dust suppressant highlights important soy checkoff research investment BY BRO C K J O H NSTO N

wne y-basedo dust esantupr for ,oadsr ,farms construi

site and emor esntpr a sutainble solutin to evoimpr air quality in alru and urban .easr BioBlend Reablewn Reces’our EPIC EL dust esantupr is one of yman industral use oductspr hitng the etmark after ecivngr chesar fundig omfr natiol and stae ybeanso ofchek ,ganiztosr includg the United Soybean Bodar (USB). Using ofchek suport, North otaDk State sityerUnv schera elopdv the intal chemistry wno licensd for cialomer use yb BioBlend Reablewn Re,cesour LC, based in Elk evoGr Vi, lage Ill. The esultr – a , safe adbleiogr dust esantupr design to compet with aditonlr chloride-bas oadr .aplictons

Elevating soy “I, eativ no sutainble solutin

contiue to edriv deman for U.S. ,” yso sya Brian , cePir oductsbipr elopmntvd ectordi at Smithbuckln, a primay actorn for USB. “A , abledur y-basedo dust esantupr is a alntur choie for ,sfarme municpaltes and busine in alru and urban ,easr to evoimpr air , quality ansporti safety and .sutainbly ” The aledr F yaHighw Adationmsr estima 35% of the snatio’ oadsr or 1.3 milon miles ear ed.vunpa Dust eatdcr yb ehiclsv and machinery using thes syaodwr has long ben an oidablevun cesour of airbone polutans impactng alru and urban .easr , erv wHo dust and other particules can impar air quality in loca comunites and for ,opscr estockliv and .pets The Enonmetalvir otecinPr Agyenc (EPA) has emphasizd the importance of dust olcntr due to the seradv efcts on the human atoryespi stem.y Ovexposur to air ,polutans

A biodegradable dust controller is applied on gravel at the Bradford Research Center near Co lumbia, Missouri. (P hoto: Missouri Soybean Association)

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includg dust, is asocited with ousnmer seradv healt impacts and can eatcr compunde chalengs for indvuals with xistngepr ,condits includg asthm. Identifyg easr ewhr yso can be antgeousdv asw instrumeal in USB’s emntolvi to suport aditonl trials and dat coletin of this wne .technolgy

Sustainable alternative Despit their perfomanc and wlo cost, chloride-bas dust olcntr oductspr yma be faling short in esingadr the wingor consumer deman for oductspr tha also emphasiz .sutainbly Equipment osincr and soil leaching evha ben asocited with salt-bed .esantupr omr“F a USB , espctivr wne technolgy atesdmonr the abilty to videopr a U.S.-cedsour materil tha is eficnt while also vidngopr an onmetalyvir consiu ,” ealtrniv sya .cePir

Decreasing dust on farm-to-market roadways could improve driver visibility and lower annual costs of gravel preservation.

EPIC EL is comprised of soybean oil (25%) and glycerin, a coproduct of biodiesel production. Water (75%) is mixed to create the final emulsion applied to roadways. By utilizing the natural structure of soy oil molecules, the technology bonds road materials for stability and limits air particulates from escaping. Approximately 190 bushels of soybeans are used to create a single 275-gallon tote of EPIC EL concentrate, according to Todd Allison, regional business manager at BioBlend. Because the dust control technology is 100% biobased, it also offers environmental benefits. “In this instance, incorporating soy oil checks the box and more,” Pierce says. As an odorless, water soluble product, BioBlend’s technology can be used in environmentallysensitive areas near crops, livestock, waterways and more. Although the product is more expensive than traditional chlorides, Allison says sustainability and ease of use will continue to be major considerations for potential customers. “This product is a great dust control alternative for individuals, businesses and municipalities looking for safe, easy-touse, environmentally conscious solutions despite the increased cost,” Allison says.

Safety is key More than 66,200 miles of Iowa roadways are gravel or Earth surfaced. Routine maintenance is necessary to keep vehicles and machinery of Iowa soybean farmers moving safely. Without surface treatment, unpaved roads have an increased susceptibility to washboards and gravel loss. Approximately 1 ton of gravel is lost per vehicle across the United States annually. The dust created by gravel loss presents a safety hazard to those using the farm-to-market transportation network. There are concerns that saltbased dust controllers commonly used to slow gravel loss are corrosive to equipment and vehicles, resulting in costly repairs for growers over time. These same dust control products rely on moisture to activate and control dust. Soy-based suppressants hold road materials together without the presence of water or moisture.

“Since this product does not require moisture to remain effective, key performance enhancements are especially evident during periods of drought and in regions without much precipitation,” says Allison.

Looking ahead With new uses for soy continuing to be uncovered, Iowa farmers are driven to meet the demand these uses create. “USB has been instrumental in assisting BioBlend to commercialize and bring this product to market,” says Allison. “We look forward to working with the United Soybean Board, state soy organizations and other stakeholders for many years to come.” As farmers traverse farm-to-market routes, they should know their crops are being turned into an ingredient placed on the roads they travel daily. Contact Brock Johnston at bjohnston@iasoybeans.com.

190 BUSHELS OF SOYBEANS: Soy oil used to produce one 275-gallon tote of EPIC EL concentrate. IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 15

Driving Demand A Goodyear and USB collaboration accelerates BY JOSEPH HOPPER

o W odbury Co unty farmer L a ura Myrtue says expanding demand for soy is vital to her business.

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oy isn’t just being made into new products; it’s being made into better products. One of the most recent and exciting new uses for soy in consumer goods came from a collaboration between The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and the United Soybean Board (USB), which began in 2011. Goodyear Chief Engineer Bob Woloszynek and the Goodyear team were trying to learn if soybean oil could meet the same needs as other processing oils in Goodyear products. “We found out that soy oil was more compatible with polymers than petroleum-based oils,” Woloszynek says. “It was easier to process, but then at the same time, it was also more compatible and gave us more flexibility in our compound formulations.” Another unique property of soy oil and vegetable oils is generally a very low glass transition temperature — where something goes from being glassy to a rubber-like state. That’s important for addressing some of the main trade-offs in tire performance, especially in the rain and snow, he says. The company developed a proprietary synthetic polymer through this checkoff-supported research. By 2014, the company’s leaders were looking for the right product to serve as a home for the technology. Because the soybean oil-based technology was novel, it couldn’t immediately be retrofitted into original equipment fitments due to contractual obligations.

In 2017, the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady passenger tires were the first commercially available tires made with a soybean oil-based rubber compound. “It was a breakthrough in the industry,” Woloszynek says. The all-season tire has a threepeak mountain snowflake winter rating with a 60,000-tread life warranty. “We replaced 100% of the petroleum-based oil in the tread compounds in that tire,” he says. “Most of our work is in the tread compounds, which have a shorter development timeline and are most frequently changed from product to product. The tread is also responsible for a good chunk of the tire’s performance.”

The future is soy Since 2017, Goodyear has rolled out four lines of tires — Assurance WeatherReady, Eagle Enforcer All Weather, Eagle Exhilarate and Assurance ComfortDrive — made using U.S. soy. Each tire equates to around 11 to 12 ounces of soy oil, which roughly amounts to the size of a can of soda. The chief engineer explains there’s room for soy oil to grow in the industry. “We’re looking to get soybean oil into other tire components, not just the tread,” Woloszynek says. “We are also planning on expanding the synthetic polymer technology portfolio.” The company is incorporating soy oil into heavy-duty tires like city

buses and garbage trucks. “We have a long-term goal to replace petroleum-based oil in all products by 2040. This trend is just going to continue and accelerate, and with each new product, it’s further increasing the use of soybean oil here in the U.S.” Iowa Soybean Association Farmer Member Laura Myrtue, who farms in Woodbury County, says market development efforts play a key role in the future for farmers. “I hate to grow soybeans and not see them going to use,” Myrtue says. “Everyone tells us we need to have new uses, or we’re not going to have a buyer anymore.” The Goodyear chief engineer says the momentum started by this research is accelerating, extending to demand for sustainable materials. Earlier this year, Goodyear announced a demonstration tire that’s 70% sustainable material by weight and contains multiple soybean oil technologies. “We have a bold goal: by 2030, to have the first tire containing 100% sustainable material. That’s a long journey and another aggressive goal,” Woloszynek says. “Still, when you think about replacing petroleum-based processing oils with sustainable oils by 2040, you can see the trajectory for increased soybean oil will continue. It’s something our customers are demanding, especially the Original Equipment Manufacturers. It has really accelerated.” Contact Joseph Hopper at jhopper@iasoybeans.com.

Since 2017, Goodyear has rolled out four lines of tires — Assurance WeatherReady, Eagle Enforcer All Weather, Eagle Exhilarate and Assurance ComfortDrive — made using U.S. soy. Each tire equates to around 11 to 12 ounces of soy oil.

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 17

Hitting the Road Skechers and Goodyear collaboration boosts demand for soy oil BY J O S E P H HO P PE R

oodyear’s soy oil innovation is changing another way rubber hits the road – whether we run or walk – through a partnership with footwear company Skechers. A collaboration was announced between Skechers and Goodyear in 2020, featuring Skechers footwear with Goodyear Performance Outsoles, which are made with soybean oil. The Iowa Soybean Review checked in with Kurt Stockbridge, vice president of product development and innovation for Skechers to learn about this collaboration – and new use for soy.

Goodyear released its Assurance e W atherReady consumer tire line in 2017, which utilize soybean oil as a replacement for petroleumderived oil. In 2020, Goodyear’s use of soybean oil increased 73% f rom its 2018 usage.

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How did this collaboration come together, and what makes these outsoles special? As Skechers is The Comfort Technology Company™, we’re always looking for ways to offer our consumers new and innovative products. We’ve been working with The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company for years, integrating their recently developed soy rubber technology, which they utilize in their Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady tire line and in products for men, women and kids. Styles featuring Goodyear Performance Outsoles offer enhanced grip, stability and durability. As we were

developing the product, we were both confident this same technology created for tires could help Skechers make a better outsole. After several iterative test trials, we soon had a rubber outsole compound that featured dramatically improved traction across a wide range of temperatures and conditions. The outsole durability improved as well.

How is soybean oil used to create these outsoles? The soybean oil replaces conventional petroleum-based oil in this polymer. Its use in the rubber reduces the use of petroleum-based raw material, making it a more sustainable product – a goal we have throughout Skechers.

At the 2022 Commodity Classic in New Orleans, Skechers with Goodyear Performance Outsoles – which are made with soybean oil – were not only on display b u t also on the feet of many attendees exploring the majo r agriculture event.

Soybean oil is sustainable – how is this important in footwear? Sustainability is only one of the many great attributes of soy-based rubber. Skechers collaborated with Goodyear to build a better, more durable, longer-lasting outsole. Goodyear’s soy rubber technology allows the rubber to be more flexible at low temperatures, which is why it is used in Goodyear’s Assurance WeatherReady tire line. The rubber results in a tire, or in this case a shoe sole, with superior traction in both wet and cold conditions.

What Skechers shoe lines feature this collaboration/ these outsoles? Early in our relationship with Goodyear, we recognized that nearly all consumers could benefit from improved traction and durability. Now, Goodyear Performance Outsoles are featured in almost every Skechers footwear product line.

Where should farmers and consumers look to purchase these shoes? Our Goodyear Performance Outsoles can be found nearly anywhere Skechers footwear is sold, including skechers.com and Skechers retail stores nationwide.

Each tire equates to around 11-12 ounces of soy oil, which roughly amounts to the size of a can of soda.

Contact Joseph Hopper at jhopper@iasoybeans.com. IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 19

Austin Hohmann, product manager for Co lorbiotics, was involved early on in developing biopolymer, which is used to make asphalt and roof ing products.

Roofs to Roads New uses for soybeans go way beyond the fields

Invigorate Rejuvenator

BY K R ISS NE L S O N

echnology developed at Iowa State University is hitting the streets – literally – through an Ames-based company. Midwest-grown soybeans are important pieces in the production and application of this technology and the products created. Colorbiotics recently announced the availability of paving and roof protectant products utilizing soy. The products, made using a biopolymer created from soy oil, include asphalt hot mix applications, topical spray applied applications and a roof shingle maintenance product.

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HOT MIX APPLICATIONS

In addition to the biopolymer asphalt products, Colorbiotics manufactures landscape colorant, recreation surfaces and the equipment used to make those products. The Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) SoySquad recently toured Colorbiotics to see how soy is used in these off-farm applications. “The asphalt products produced by Colorbiotics benefit much of the population by making sustainable and economic-friendly products,” says Nathan Behrends, an ISA Soy Squad participant from Wiota.

Invigorate Rejuvenator increases the use of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) or Reclaimed Asphalt Shingle (RAS) by extending the asphalt’s service life.

Biomag Poly/RAP Biomag Poly/RAP is for hot/ warm mix contractors who want to increase RAP/RAS usage while also reducing the amount of polymer needed in the mix design to achieve a Polymer Modified Asphalt Cement for highperformance, high-volume pavements, such as roads.

Why soy oil?

TOPICAL SPRAY APPLIED APPLICATIONS Invigorate Revive SA Used on pavements, roads and parking lots to revive aging asphalt without having a “sealing” effect present with polymer sealants. Projects with a budgetconscious focus could benefit f rom using Invigorate Revive SA.

Biomag Fog + Fix Biomag Fog + Fix is for situations where asphalt pavement requires the penetrating properties of Invigorate Revive SA with the sealing capability of polymers. This sealant helps to reduce water permeability through roads or pavement by 40% to 80%.

ROOF SHINGLE MAINTENANCE

One bushel of soybeans equals 11 pounds of soy oil. Approximately 11.3 pounds of soy oil are used for Invigorate Rejuvenator. BioMag utilizes 11.6 pounds of soy oil. “We can use raw material grown right here in the Midwest,” says Kent Chandler, business development manager for asphalt products for Colorbiotics. “We don’t have to make it and it’s not toxic or creating toxic waste.” The process of recycling asphalt involves grinding the old pavement and putting it back together using binders. Binders made using biopolymer, made with a renewable product like soy, far exceed the performance of a petroleum-based binder, says Austin Hohmann, product manager for Colorbiotics. Eric Cochran, the Mary Jane Skogen Hagenson & Randy L. Hagenson Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Iowa State University (ISU), has been working on the formulation and processes associated with creating these alternatives to petroleumbased asphalt products for more than 10 years. Though many products have been created using soy oil, work continues on technology development with the new polymers. “I think it is exciting we can grow something locally in Iowa that has nationwide reach to improve infrastructure and reduce environmental impact,” says Cochran.

Standing the test of time The asphalt products are currently undergoing testing at the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) test track at Auburn University. So far, the biopolymer asphalt has undergone 40 years of simulated use and is not showing signs of distress or rutting. Rolland Schnell, a past ISA president, saw firsthand how soy was performing when he visited the NCAT test track in 2020. “It is performing beautifully,” he says. “They were raving about its durability; it’s quieter and has a smoother ride.”

Future ready Schnell hopes the use of this biopolymer technology is just the start of advanced soy usage. “I believe new uses for our soybeans will be created that we cannot begin to imagine,” he says. “The soybean is so versatile beyond food and fuel that our imagination may be the only thing holding it back.” Behrends finds the future is promising thanks to companies and ISU working to create soybased products. “Soy-based products continue to be at the forefront of making the world more sustainable,” he says. “Thanks to research and development done by companies like Colorbiotics, soybeans have a bright future.” Contact Kriss Nelson at knelson@iasoybeans.com.

Peak 301 Peak 301 is a spray-applied product that drives deep into the asphalt shingle, reversing the aging process caused by constant sun exposure and weather cycling, which extends the life of a homeowner’s asphalt shingle roof.

The asphalt made f rom a biopolymer utilizing soybean oil has be en through extensive testing and is now prevalent in roads and parking lots throughout the Midwest.

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 21

New Era of Farming Ames-based company is developing an autonomous planter BY K R ISS NE L S O N

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From left, Saeed Arabi, software lead, David Krog, CEO and Ben Krog, mechanical engineering lead at Salin 247 have been working with industry partners to develop an autonomous planter.

Saeed Arabi (right), software lead at Salin 247 and Ben Krog, mechanical engineering lead, work to get Salin 247, an autonomous planter, running in the f ield earlier this spring.

multigenerational farm in Boone County will be a part of change during this year’s planting season. David Krog is using 40 acres of his wife’s family farm to test his autonomous planter. “This field used to be planted with a team of horses, then tractors arrived, and it has been planted using tractors ever since,” Krog says. “But this year, we will plant the field, once again, without a tractor. It’s a start of a new era.”

Dream to reality After a decade of considerations and imagination, Krog, CEO of Salin 247 in Ames, is bringing what could have remained a vision to existence.

He recruited the assistance of Saeed Arabi, software lead; his son Ben Krog, mechanical engineering lead; and other contractors and advisors to develop a platform for small, lightweight, electric-powered autonomous crop production machines. In 2021, Salin 247 tested the prototype of an autonomous planter. Through trial and error and farmer and industry feedback, the company made changes. Now, Salin 247, co-founded by David Krog and Arabi, is ready to hit the ground “planting” again this year. “Salin 247 is centered around a platform that features a drive unit, or a chassis, which includes tracks, a toolbar, batteries, computers and

GPS,” says Krog. Though fairly new to the planting scene in Iowa, Krog says Salin 247 uses products familiar to the farmer. “It features products by wellknown companies like Precision Planting and Ag Leader,” Krog says. “We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel. We are utilizing what is already available.” The platform will be able to be transformed for other jobs in the field, including spraying and liquid fertilizer applications. “The idea is to take off the planter and attach a boom with a tank,” says Krog. “In doing so, you have an autonomous liquid system.”

“I love tractors, b u t the b e st way we can address soil compaction is to get the heavy equipment off the field. That is what we are trying to do. Our approach is to use technology and focus on lightweight equipment. ” — David Krog, Salin 247 CEO IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 23

Salin 247 is powered by an electric motor. Batteries for the implement will b e charged using a generator fueled with biodiesel.

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Plans are in the works to develop a docking station where the autonomous machines will return to refill with seed, chemicals and fertilizer. Because the unit is electric-powered, this could also be the opportunity to swap out the batteries in the future. “The docking station would be autonomous and mobile across the field,” says Krog.

Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) board of directors and farmer from Wilton. “Where it has been conceptual in the past, it’s now in practical application mode,” Walton says. “If we could couple it with sensors to apply pesticides only when and where needed, it would be a winwin for ag.”

Reducing compaction

Related to reducing soil compaction is the benefit of efficiency. “There is the ability to get into the field before some heavier equipment,” says Krog. “Feedback from farmers indicates they like the idea of getting into the field sooner after a rain.” Getting in fields sooner could be especially advantageous in post-emergence spraying and sidedressing nitrogen applications. Autonomous planters could allow for burning the midnight oil. “It’s in our name, ‘Salin 247,’” says Krog. “You could run 24 hours a day. Farmers can drive all night too, but it is easier with an autonomous approach.”

The concept behind Salin 247 is to help address issues with soil compaction by replacing larger farm equipment. As tractors have evolved over the years, they have gotten bigger and heavier, notes Krog. “I love tractors, but the best way we can address soil compaction is to get the heavy equipment off the field,” Krog says. “That is what we are trying to do. Our approach is to use technology and focus on lightweight equipment.” Although autonomous technology isn’t new technology, Salin 247 is helping to bring it to the forefront for crop production, says Dave Walton, treasurer for the

Additional benefits

Krog estimates a 25% to 35% savings with the autonomous approach in fixed costs vs. current machinery needed to perform those tasks. “The technology has lower operational costs and uses significantly less energy with electric power,” Krog says. “Maintenance and repairs on electric motors also typically cost less.” Although labor wasn’t the initial focus for creating Salin 247, Krog says he is learning autonomous equipment could be the answer to labor-shortage issues in agriculture through farmer and industry feedback. “I don’t think there has been a farmer we talked to where labor has not come up,” Krog says. This is especially true on farms planting large acres and in custom application scenarios, he says.

Investing in the future Continuing a long tradition of keeping Iowa soybean farmers at the forefront of technology, ISA has invested in the on-farm research aspects of Salin 247. “We like to help farmers evaluate new tools and technologies that are potentially

the way of the future to see if they will bring value,” says Ed Anderson, senior director of research at ISA. Anderson is encouraging Krog and his team to work with ISA’s network of farmers and the Research Center for Farming Innovation field services team to evaluate Salin 247. “Funding projects like this is just one more example of how ISA’s staff and directors are driven to deliver positive results and bring value to soybean producers in the future,” says Walton. Anderson is eager to play a role in connecting farmers and Salin 247 to test this technology. “We are excited to be getting into this area of continuous change and improvement in agri-technologies and supporting companies working on fieldevaluation of new automated equipment,” says Anderson. Krog is convinced autonomy will be an essential part of the future of crop production. As he continues to develop Salin 247, he will rely on farmer feedback. “It’s not for us to decide,” he says. “Farmers will decide if autonomy is the future.” Contact Kriss Nelson at knelson@iasoybeans.com

Technology Timeline 2022: 10 soybean and corn farms in Iowa and Tennessee are participating in a planting and proof of concept with the spraying system in select f ields. Proof of concept on sidedressing N on corn with Y-drops slated for summer 2022.

2023: After a successful 2022 season, moving on to 100-plus farms through paid pilot projects.

2024 and beyond: Scaling up for broad commercialization rollout to farmers and custom operators. Arabi and Krog make some last-minute adj u stments to the autonomous planter. There are plans to use Salin 247 for side-dressing nitrogen later this spring. IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 25

E ric Sparrow ships soy wax products f rom the New Hampton based American Soy O rganics.

Soy Glow Soy illuminates Iowa candle company BY BE T HANY BARATTA

eep, rich notes of freshly roasted and brewed coffee and warm, floral breezes of cotton mingling with soft apple, powdery musk and violet fully immerse the senses when stepping into the distribution center at Milkhouse Candle Co. in St. Ansgar. On this Wednesday, candles made with soy oil from Midwestgrown soybeans are labeled and sent down the line for further quality assurance before being boxed and shipped to the company’s network of 1,400 distributors. Some Milkhouse

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Candle Co. candles will be waiting for customers in shops at the Des Moines International Airport or the Paula Deen Store in Savannah, Georgia; some will journey farther to South Korea, Slovakia, Poland and South America. The higher oil content in Midwest soybeans makes it perfect for blending with beeswax for the Coffee Break, Cotton Blossom, Welcome Home and other scents available in the company’s product line.

Soy joy It all began when Eric and Janet

Sparrow were planning their wedding on Eric’s acreage. They wanted to add a personal touch to the wedding by making their own candles to adorn tablescapes and also to give as gifts for guests. Those candles were made with paraffin. But the Sparrows found joy in the process of candle making and wanted to explore using soy wax as a cleaner-burning alternative to paraffin, which is derived from petroleum. “At that time, soy wax was new to the market, and it was difficult to work with,” Eric says.

American Soy Organics used 10 million pounds of soybean oil in 2021.

But living in a topproducing soybean state, they were determined to use soy oil in their wax blends. As hobbyists, the Sparrows used several kitchen utensils to mix, measure and make their own candles. It took years to identify the specific formulation using soy wax and fragrances and perfecting the process. In July 2002, the Sparrows started Milkhouse Candle Co. Initially, the Sparrows relied on a distributor in New Hampton to source the soy wax for candle production. When that business closed, Milkhouse

and the other 300 companies that relied on the company were limited for local options. The Sparrows purchased the assets and created American Soy Organics. It rekindled the opportunity to source soy wax locally and reliably for Milkhouse Candle Co. and others. “Soy wax is 100% renewable and part of American agriculture,” Eric says of the couple’s business venture. “We’re surrounded by soybeans. What better story to be in Iowa and have a soy candle manufacturing facility?”

Employees at Milkhouse Candle Co. in St. Ansgar check wicks as candles move through the production line.

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 27

American Soy Organics sources the soy, bringing in the liquid product warm via bulk trucks. The wax is stored on-site, then used in various blends to create the cooler-burning, fragrant candles Milkhouse Candle Co.’s customers know and love. At the company’s location in New Hampton, Eric and his team of employees produce more than 12,000 candles per day for Milkhouse Candle Co. and five other candle companies for which they custom pour.

Expanding lines Candles are labeled b e fore heading down the line for further quality assurance at Milkhouse Candle Co. in St. Ansgar.

As a candle business owner himself and a consultant to other candle companies, Sparrow identified a common concern: a lack of wax options focused on

the needs of the candlemaker. “While most other wax producers are making wax as a small piece of something else (food or petroleum production), American Soy Organics is focused on only one thing: creating a candle wax that works perfectly and easily every time,” Eric says. The Sparrows created soy beads as an easier way for candlemakers, including hobbyists, to incorporate soy into their products. The soy beads are a drop-in option, eliminating the need for double boilers and complicated measuring. “The user experience is so much better than when we started in our home kitchen,” Eric says.

Eric checks the quality and consistency of soy beads as they tumble off the production line.

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Months after launching its soy wax products for sale on Amazon, American Soy Organics’ soy beads became a highly rated, top-selling soy wax product. “Customers love the soy bead format,” Eric says. “They love how it melts and the consistency of the product.” Eric left his teaching job to start Milkhouse Candle Co. But once a teacher, always a teacher. He helps coach other aspiring candlemakers, even competitors, through wax and process options. “There’s plenty of business for everybody,” Eric says. “We’ve been there; we can help others build their business.”

Set for growth The growth in sales for Milkhouse Candle Co. and American Soy Organics proves the paraffin industry was wrong in its initial assessment of the soy wax industry. Candles made with soy wax are here to stay and growing in popularity. American Soy Organics used 10 million pounds of soybean oil in 2021. Sparrow expects a 50% increase this year as new products are developed, and the sales of candles and soy beads grow. “We’re selling thousands of pounds of soy wax every day on Amazon,” Eric says. “There’s so much opportunity it’s unbelievable.”

The company’s name, “Milkhouse Candle Co.” was inspired by Janet’s roots on a dairy farm.

Contact Bethany Baratta at bbaratta@iasoybeans.com.

ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN a 22-ounce Milkhouse Candle Co. Oatmeal Milk and Honey candle, made with soy grown in the Midwest! Scan the QR code or visit https://www.iasoybeans.com/milkhouse to enter the contest. Winner will be contacted by June 15.

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 29

Mental Health Matters Resources highlighted during Mental Health Month

he American Soybean Association (ASA), United Soybean Board (USB) and soy states want to help farmers who may need a hand managing the stress of life on the farm. This May during Mental Health Month, the soy community will continue its proactive communications campaign to combat farm stress by offering #SoyHelp. Help comes in many forms and from many sources, and the groups have researched and updated a range of options that will be shared both nationally and by state soybean affiliates throughout the month – and that live on the soygrowers.com website year-round: 1. National mental health resources, including crisis centers and suicide hotlines 2. Agriculture-specific resources for farmers and farm families, both national and by soy state

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While the pandemic certainly exacerbated farm stress, farmers are routinely faced with varying levels of anxiety resulting from a host of ongoing and unexpected concerns, from weather occurrences to supply issues, trade troubles to creeping inflation. “We want these resources to resonate regardless of age, location, race, gender, or the circumstances that have led to needing a hand,” says Brad Doyle, ASA president and soybean farmer from Arkansas. “Whether a long-time farmer feeling overwhelmed by a current situation, a young person just starting out in agriculture facing financial hardships or family members trying to navigate how to assist their loved ones, we want them to have a starting point for seeking help.” Included in the resources are links to self-assessments, professional services, and local health care

facilities; hotlines for urgent needs; warmlines for helpful advice; chat and text lines for instant access; and articles on symptoms, solutions and how to start uncomfortable but healthy discussions. “The #SoyHelp campaign has two objectives,” says USB Chair Ralph Lott, a soybean farmer from New York. “Certainly, we want to get resources in the hands of those who need help and make sure they are aware that options exist for managing and mending their mental wellness. But, we also hope this ongoing campaign will continue to chip away at the old stigmas that sometimes exist in talking openly about the tolls of stress and seeking help – especially in rural communities.” Learn more at https://soygrowers. com/soyhelp-national-resources-info. Article courtesy of the American Soybean Association.

Rural Route 2 Editor’s Note by Bethany Baratta bbaratta@iasoybeans.com

My First Classroom

recent visit to my son’s preschool reminded me of my first classroom. We didn’t have Dr. Seussthemed posters. But we did have framed aerial images of the farm hung on the walls. We didn’t have assigned seats at the dinner table – though implied due to my lefthandedness but not labeled with table tents. We didn’t have a set schedule; our work was done when the animals were fed, pens were cleaned and chores were completed. My first classroom wasn’t really a room at all. Rather, it was a farm with our house, some buildings and barns situated along Rural Route 2. My siblings were my classmates. Sometimes, a monumental rock in a field east of the house served as the lunch “room” where we would eat

our lunch between picking up rocks during the summer. One chicken coop, which housed upward of 150 birds when my four siblings and I were in 4-H concurrently, taught us responsibility. We set up the coop for the broiler chicks, ensuring that wood shavings and heating lamps made a cozy spot for them to grow and rest. Our gymnasium was the outdoor lots and barns we bounced in, between choring pigs, cattle, sheep and rabbits. Five-gallon buckets filled with feed and water were the weights we lifted over gates, through doors and to troughs. We reinforced our math skills by blending feed rations and learned from past mistakes to conquer new challenges. We learned about love and loss as animal babies were born on the farm, perished or left for the market.

My first teachers were my parents. They instilled the values I hold dear today. Values of family and faith. Values of growing the sense of community wherever you are. Values of not being afraid to try something new, for even in failure, you learn something. In this edition of the Review, I hope you learn something, too. Thirty years after the soy industry discovered soy diesel (now called biodiesel), new uses for soy oil have expanded into tires, asphalt, shoes and candles. The soybeans your family and my family grow on our farms go into these products and millions of others. That’s pretty awesome. The work you do on your farm is difficult to teach through a textbook; it’s a learn-by-doing experience. There is no better classroom.

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 31

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32 | MAY 2022 | IASOYBEANS.COM

Iowa Soybean Review | May 2022

Articles inside

Rural Route 2

Mental Health Matters

Soy Glow

New Era of Farming

Roofs to Roads

Hitting the Road

Driving Demand

Dust Busters

Soy's Third Word

Dive Into Water Monitoring with ISA Researchers

Cultivating Relationships

Legislation Fuels Growth in Biodiesel

Executive Insights