Page 29 2024 Logan County Spring Farm Magazine LINCOLN DAILY NEWS March 2024 other parameters. And while yield is definitely still important, the global marketplace continues to place increasing importance on soybean meal and oil quality. In fact, soybean oil quality will be an important production grade to stay competitive in the marketplace. As consumer demand grows, research will continue to develop studies examining soybean production return on investment, with a focus on quality alongside yield. Regional opportunities could be available for farmers to take advantage of this space. Growth of Biofuels Biodiesel has been around for a while and will continue to drive demand in the renewable fuels market. But the latest entrant to this space – sustainable aviation fuel – will likely add to soy demand for biofuels’ strong upward trend. Consumers Want More Protein The world’s growing population needs additional protein, and I’m not just talking about animal protein. While animal protein will likely remain a mainstay, of which soybeans are an important feed source (here in Illinois, livestock are the no. 1 consumer of soybeans), alternative proteins for human consumption are on the rise. Soybeans are uniquely poised to answer the call for both. The U.S. Needs Global Buyers Illinois’ soybean growers have long delivered a high-quality product to our global buyers. To continue to build these important relationships, Continued --
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