Ohio currently processes around 56 per cent of its annual soybean crop, which amounts to about 168 million bushels. Planned expansions could increase this capacity by an additional 55 million bushels, bringing the state’s total crush capacity to around 85-90% of its soybean production, according to Madison Corbi, Ohio Soybean Council Manager for Demand and Market Development, reported Ohio Agconnection.
This expansion is primarily driven by the rising demand for vegetable oils, especially for biodiesel production. Soybean oil is a major feedstock for biodiesel, making up about 35% of the feedstock used in bio-based diesel production.
Corbi highlighted that farmers are crucial in meeting market demands by adopting sustainable practices that produce low-carbon intensity feedstocks. This is a key focus of the soybean check-off programs, which aim to promote and educate consumers on the benefits of soybean oil as a sustainable fuel option.
Although biodiesel demand is on the rise, Corbi noted that there remains significant potential for growth within Ohio. Farmers can contribute by requesting biodiesel from their fuel providers, which supports both environmental goals and their own farms. Biodiesel is an eco-friendly option that performs well in farming equipment and is competitively priced compared to regular diesel.
As Ohio’s soybean crush capacity expands, farmers will also benefit from improved markets for livestock feed. Soybean meal, a byproduct of the crushing process, is a vital component for animal agriculture, which is Ohio’s top agricultural sector.
This dual benefit underscores the soybean industry’s value, offering opportunities in both biofuels and livestock feed. With the increasing market for soybean oil and biodiesel, Ohio’s farmers are seeing an enhanced value for their soybean crops, with biodiesel alone adding about 13% to the value of each bushel.
The ongoing expansion of crush capacity and the growing demand for sustainable fuels are expected to bring further advantages to Ohio’s agricultural community.
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