Did You Know Soy Was in This?
When you think of soybeans, what's the first thing that comes to mind?
Soybeans growing in the field? Tofu, soy milk, or edamame? While soybeans are an important source of food, that's only part of the story. In fact, soybeans are one of the most versatile crops grown in the United States, and chances are you've used soy-based products today without even realizing it.
From the fuel that powers vehicles to the crayons in a child's backpack, soybeans have found their way into thousands of everyday products. Here's a closer look at how this incredible crop goes far beyond the dinner plate.
More Than Just a Food Crop
Soybeans are made up of two valuable components: protein and oil. Once harvested, these components are separated and used in different ways.
The high-protein meal is commonly used to feed livestock like chickens, pigs, cattle, and fish. This helps provide the nutritious feed needed to produce foods such as meat, eggs, and dairy products.
Meanwhile, soybean oil has an impressive list of uses. It can be used in cooking, but it's also an important ingredient in hundreds of products we use every day.
You Might Be Using Soy Every Day
Many everyday products contain ingredients made from soybeans, including:
Crayons
Newspaper ink
Candles
Cosmetics and lotions
Soaps and shampoos
Paints and coatings
Adhesives
Cleaning products
Plastics
Carpet backing
Tires
Lubricants
These soy-based ingredients often replace petroleum-based materials, making them a renewable option for manufacturers.
Fueling More Than Your Body
Soybeans don't just help feed people and animals—they can also help fuel transportation.
Soybean oil is used to produce biodiesel, a renewable fuel that can power many diesel engines. Biodiesel helps reduce dependence on nonrenewable resources while giving farmers another valuable use for the crops they grow.
Today, biodiesel is used in school buses, farm equipment, commercial trucks, and many other diesel-powered vehicles across the country.
Why So Many Products Use Soy
There are several reasons manufacturers continue to find new uses for soybeans:
Renewable: Soybeans are grown and harvested every year.
Versatile: The protein and oil can be transformed into thousands of different products.
Made in the USA: Soybeans are grown by farmers across the country, including right here in South Dakota.
Innovative: Researchers continue discovering new ways to use soy, creating products that are both practical and sustainable.
As technology advances, the list of soy-based products continues to grow.
South Dakota Farmers Play an Important Role
South Dakota farmers grow millions of bushels of soybeans every year. While some soybeans become foods we recognize, many are processed into ingredients that support industries ranging from manufacturing to transportation.
That means the soybeans grown in local fields may eventually become anything from livestock feed to renewable fuel or even the ink used to print your morning newspaper.
Soy Is All Around Us
Soybeans are much more than a food crop. They're a versatile, renewable resource that helps create thousands of products we use every day—often without us even noticing.
The next time you grab a crayon, fill up a diesel vehicle, read the newspaper, or lace up your shoes, there's a good chance soy played a part.
It's just one more example of how agriculture quietly supports our daily lives in ways we might never expect.
