Dare2Compare_Sustainability_Fact_Sheet_(English)

Dare2Compare_Sustainability_Fact_Sheet_(English)

Transcript

1. U.S. Soy is constantly innovating to deliver a valuable, consistent and more economical product. Our farms grow and develop sustainable soy-based solutions to today’s biggest problems – producing feed, food and fuel for a growing world and preserving the planet we live on for future generations. This matters now more than ever as consumers expect companies to prioritize sustainability along the supply chain. When daring to compare the verified sustainable production practices and enterprise solutions, U.S. Soy is the Essential, Responsible, and Value-Driven Choice. U.S. Soybean Farmers: • Frequently test their soils, maintain nutrient- management plans, know recommended nutrient levels and only apply adequate nutrients as needed. This helps farmers build more productive soil and protect water quality. • Always looking to the future, they regularly employ strategies like conservation tillage, crop rotation and cover crops to maintain soil health and maximize the consistent quality of their harvests. • Use modern tools like moisture sensors, smart irrigation, autonomous and GPS-enabled tractors, drones and satellite imagery to help produce a valuable and reliable harvest while reducing their use of natural resources. • Plant approximately 94 percent of U.S. soybean acreage with seed enhanced by herbicide tolerant biotechnology, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These crops make weed control more effective and requires less chemicals. Because of biotechnology, U.S. soybean farmers can reduce reliance on tillage for weed control, increasing conservation tillage and reducing the number of trips through the field. Sustainability Ultimately U.S. Soy farmers are focused on delivering trusted quality, reliability and safety to support the industries and communities that depend on U.S. Soy, and they embrace the latest advances in sustainable farming to contribute to a healthier planet.
2. These measures have a clear and quantifiable impact on environmental sustainability. In fact, statistics show that since 1980, U.S. farmers reduced energy use by 42%, and reduced emissions by 41%. And the United States is number one in the world when it comes to forest area designated primarily for conservation of biodiversity. U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP) Sustainability is a focus from the beginning to the end of the soybean value chain. The U.S. Soy industry worked together with a multi-stakeholder group made up of consumers from around the world, non-governmental organizations (NGOS) and farmers to jointly develop the independently audited U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP). SSAP: • Is a certified aggregate approach audited by third parties that verifies sustainable soybean production at a national scale. The third-party audits are conducted annually by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). • Outlines and measures four directives related to sustainability: Biodiversity, sustainable production practices, public and labor health, and continuous improvement of practices. • Allows customers to refer to SSAP to help meet their own corporate social responsibility need and consumer expectations without increasing their costs. U.S. Soy’s Carbon Footprint USSEC engaged Blonk Consultants to help answer the question: What is the environmental footprint of U.S. Soy compared to other sourcing countries for the European (and other) markets? Blonk compared 1 kilogram (kg) of soybeans, 1 kg of soybean meal crushed at market, and 1 kg crushed in the country of origin, using a life cycle assessment (LCA). According to Blonk Consultants: • Cultivation and land use change both are major contributors to carbon footprint. In general, the U.S. has higher yields, minimal fertilizer use, and efficient machinery, all of which help to minimize U.S. Soy’s carbon footprint. • While deforestation in South American countries has had a negative impact on the carbon footprint soy produced in that region, in the U.S., 78 million hectares of land are protected national forests and grasslands • The impact of soy on animal production is another key factor when comparing carbon footprints of soy from different origins. Blonk Consultants compared a case study from 2013, which included a mix of Dutch soymeal market mix, made up of mostly Brazilian and Argentinian meals to a Dutch market mix of soybean meal with U.S. soybean meal. The analysis found that the total impact of the carbon footprint of poultry was lower with the U.S. soybean meal. Visit daretocompare.ussoy.org/sustainability/en/ to learn more about Dare to Compare. 42% ENERGY USE 41% EMISSIONS IN FOREST AREA DESIGNATED PRIMARILY FOR CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY #1IN THE WORLD