GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

Reducing emissions through best practices

Greenhouse Gasses (GHGs) are gasses that trap heat in the atmosphere. Burning fossil fuels is a common source of GHGs. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in the United States, agriculture emits approximately 11% of total U.S. GHGs. Through common farming practices such as no-till and cover crops, farmers are reducing emissions. Because of farmers, agriculture has the potential to help offset carbon emissions through supply chains.

Conservation tillage

No-till, reduced-till and vertical tillage systems reduce GHG emissions by cutting back on trips through the field and creating healthier soil that needs fewer nutrients and stores more carbon.

Crop rotation

A corn-soybean rotation (switching off which crop is planted each year) reduces nitrous oxide emissions, a byproduct of the process when the bacteria in the soil break nitrates down.

Carbon sequestration

Carbon dioxide is one of the most common GHGs. Soybeans take carbon dioxide out of the air and provide it to the soil.

45%
45%

Soybean farming practices have improved to reduce GHG emissions by 45%.

86%
86%

Using biodiesel in the U.S. transportation fuel supply reduces GHG emissions by up to 86%.

Reducing emissions, improving air quality

There are many benefits to cutting GHG emissions that extend beyond agriculture. Farmers have long understood the importance of working for the greater good. Caring for the environment is one more way to do that.

Health

Cleaner air leads to easier breathing for everyone. Reducing GHGs can also reduce heart and respiratory diseases.

Climate

GHGs trap heat in the earth’s atmosphere leading to the potential for increased temperatures globally.

Economic

Energy is expensive. Trimming energy use not only reduces GHG emissions but also increases cost savings.

Explore other regenerative soybean production practices

Carbon capture and sequestration

With the right systems and practices in place, farmers can enhance soil quality and retention of carbon making it stable there for years.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CARBON

Water quality management

Water is critical regardless of the crop. Implementing environmental practices to keep water safe for using in the community, watering animals and irrigating fields is important to soybean farmers.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WATER QUALITY

Nitrogen fixing

While all plants need nitrogen to grow, soybeans can fix nitrogen with the aid of nitrogen fixing soil bacteria. Through a symbiotic relationship with soil microbes, soybeans convert nitrogen to a usable form.

LEARN MORE ABOUT NITROGEN AND SOYBEANS

Tillage

Soybeans are well suited for conservation tillage systems including no-till, reduced-till and vertical tillage that help to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and improve soil health.

LEARN MORE ABOUT TILLAGE SYSTEMS

Crop residue

Leaving crop residue in the field after harvest contributes to soil health and protects fields from erosion. Over several months, the stubble breaks down and turns into organic matter. With microorganisms nutrients are returned back to the soil.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CROP RESIDUE AND SOIL HEALTH