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SOYBEAN FACTS
Indiana ranks third in soybean production in the United States. According to the most recent agriculture census, Indiana has 40,000 soybean farmers producing over 5.4 million total state acres a year. Additionally, Indiana farmers produce nearly 10 percent of all soybeans in the United States.
Soybeans are used in a variety of ways including soybean oil found in margarine, vegetable oil, salad dressing, and mayonnaise. Whole soybeans and protein from soybean meal are found in feeds for poultry, hogs and other animals. They are also found in tofu, soy sauce and soy flour used in baked goods and high fiber breads like pizza crust. Soy oil is used in inks and paints. Soy protein is also found in many of the foods consumed by health-conscious consumers.
One very promising and new usage of soybeans has been found in soy-based bio-diesel fuel. On June 12, 2002 Countrymark Co-op began marketing top-quality fuels enhanced with soy. Soy diesel can be used as a pure fuel or can be blended with petroleum in any percentage. In June 2006, there will be a groundbreaking for a bio-diesel plant, Indiana Clean Energy, in Frankfort, Indiana which is in Clinton County.
Source: Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture, Indiana Department of Commerce, Indiana Soybean Development Council.
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