By Andi Anderson
Ohio currently crushes about 56% of its annual soybean crop, roughly equating to 168 million bushels. With planned expansions, this capacity could grow by another 55 million bushels, bringing the state's total crush capacity to approximately 85-90% of its soybean production, according to Madison Corbi, Ohio Soybean Council Manager for Demand and Market Development.
This increase is driven largely by the growing demand for vegetable oils, particularly for biodiesel production.
Soybean oil is one of the most widely used feedstocks for biodiesel, accounting for about 35% of the feedstock used in bio-based diesel production.
Corbi emphasized that farmers play a key role in meeting market demands by maintaining sustainable practices that help produce low-carbon intensity feedstocks, a priority for the soybean check-off programs. These programs aim to promote and educate consumers on the benefits of soybean oil as a sustainable fuel option.
While biodiesel demand is increasing, Corbi noted that there is still room for growth, particularly within Ohio.
Farmers can make a significant impact by requesting biodiesel from their fuel providers, supporting both the environment and their farms. Biodiesel is an environmentally friendly option that performs well in farming equipment and is competitively priced with regular diesel.
As Ohio’s soybean crush capacity grows, farmers will also see benefits in livestock feed markets. Soybean meal, a byproduct of the crushing process, is essential for animal agriculture, Ohio’s top agricultural customer.
This dual benefit highlights the value of the soybean industry, with opportunities in both biofuels and livestock feed.
With the growing market for soybean oil and biodiesel, Ohio’s farmers are seeing an increase in the value of their soybean crops, with biodiesel alone adding about 13% to the value of each bushel.
The continued expansion of crush capacity and demand for sustainable fuels promises further benefits for Ohio’s agricultural community.
Photo Credit: istock-oticki
Categories: Ohio, Energy