2025 Fall Farm Outlook Lincoln Daily News Oct 2025 Page 11 and people with lactose intolerance who rely on soy as a nutritious alternative to dairy and meat. Soy’s nutritional versatility and availability have made it a go-to option in the growing market for plant-based foods, which continues to expand across grocery shelves and restaurant menus alike. But while the meal supports food systems, the oil extracted from soybeans powers far more than kitchens. Oil derived from soybeans makes up about 61% of all edible oils used in the United States. It’s a common ingredient in frying and baking, a staple in vegetable oil, and a base for products like margarine, salad dressings, and other processed foods. Beyond food, soybean oil also finds its way into industrial goods such as paints, plastics, and cleaners, making up about 8% of total soybean oil use in the U.S. According to an article from the United Soybean Board, around 31% of U.S. soybean oil is turned into biodiesel, a renewable substitute for petroleum diesel. This biofuel not only supports farmers through alternative markets but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions and boosts energy efficiency. The report notes that biodiesel “provides a 13% price support for soybeans” while offering a cleaner-burning alternative to traditional fuels. For farmers like Hoerbert, who’ve seen the industry evolve over four decades, those innovations represent part of the changing face of agriculture. “Well, our yields are higher than when we first started — almost double, I guess, for both corn and beans,” Hoerbert said. “But our inputs are a lot higher. When I first started, our costs were actually lower, but we have a lot more expensive inputs to put in now, so we need more to break even.” His perspective reflects a familiar reality among small and mid-sized farmers: technology and demand may improve yields, but costs often rise in tandem. Higher seed prices, fertilizer costs, and equipment expenses can eat into profits even as production grows. Hoerbert sells his soybeans to the local elevator, a common practice among area farmers. “The market’s kind of different,” he said. “ADM Decatur takes quite a bit. Then the river terminals — I can ship some overseas. There’s both domestic use and then exports. China’s kind of a big buyer in soybeans, and they have been, but right now they’re kind of out of the market.”
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