Michigan soybeans are an important crop in our state’s agriculture sector, contributing millions to Michigan’s economy each year. Most Michigan soybeans are grown for use in animal feed, but some soybeans are used in Michigan soyfoods and everyday household products like cleaners, lotions, candles, crayons and makeup.
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Michigan Soybean Facts
- Michigan is about the 12th largest soybean producing state
- Michigan livestock and poultry producers purchase 425,000 tons of locally grown soybean meal to feed their dairy cows, beef cattle, chickens, turkeys and hogs each year
- Nearly 2 million acres of soybeans are planted each year in Michigan on more than 10,000 soybean-producing farms
- Soybean harvest results in over a $1 billion return to the state’s economy.
- And, if one adds in the processing and further uses, such as for livestock feed, about $1.5 billion dollars are returned to the state’s economy
- Michigan’s own Henry Ford did a lot of research on soybeans. His soybean lab is still standing inside the entrance at Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan. Mr. Ford once took an ax to the trunk lid of a car to show how strong the soy plastic was that he made out of soybeans
- The largest consumers of soybeans are livestock, from pigs to cows, chickens, and beef cattle, more than 98% of all soybean meal is consumed by these animals
- Some aquaculture (shrimp, trout, etc.) are fed soybean meal
- Common industrial uses of soybeans include: soy foam in car seats, biodiesel fuel, carpet backing, paint-balls, lotion, crayons, paint, lubricants, adhesive, soy ink, hand cleaners, medicine, plastics, turf, tires and more
Nutrition
- Some common soyfoods include: soy milk, soy nuts, soy cheese, soy yogurt, tempeh, miso, imitation bacon bits, soy oil, soy crisps, tofu, soy margarine and more
- Soy is a complete protein, equal in quality to animal protein
- Soyfoods are a good source of iron
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agreed that 25 grams of soy protein each day may reduce the risk of heart disease, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol
To learn more visit Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee.