The Bean of Choice

Lee Maddox
The Bean of Choice: Welcome and hello again everyone for Tennessee Home and Farm Radio. I’m Lee Maddox

Stefan Maupin
You know last year in 2022. Soybeans crossed the threshold and was a billion dollar plus crop.

Lee Maddox
You see them growing basically from Mountain city to Memphis soybeans are planted all across Tennessee and this year while there are fewer beans planted than last year, farmers are still hopeful for a bountiful crop and thankfully the recent scattered showers have definitely helped. Stefan Maupin and Executive Director of the Tennessee Soybean Promotion Council says there’s a reason why farmers like growing the miracle bean.

Stefan Maupin
That shows that that there is a market for soybeans worldwide and Tennessee producers are responding to that market and are producing every year through investments. So the checkoff funds, we do more to increase yields to handle diseases and pests and threats that are out there through their investment with a checkoff funds. And we’ve seen that come to light with a billion dollar plus crop so we’re proud of what’s going on.

Lee Maddox
Stefan Maupin says there’s continued excitement surrounding research with soy beans and in particular, the oil from the bean. Biodiesel made from soybean oil has been around for many years, but more often says now a big focus goes to renewable diesel.

Stefan Maupin
Renewable diesel is a relatively new process where it is refined, and it is a 100% drop-in so it can be used in trailer trucks for transportation locomotives, heavy duty vehicles and is also probably the largest use that we’re seeing right now. Potential use in the future is sustainable aviation fuel. So one day you’re going to be flying around and in a jet that is using a plant based oil more than likely soybean oil in that sustainable aviation fuel.

Lee Maddox
Statewide an estimated 1.6 million acres of soybeans planted in Tennessee. For Tennessee Home and Farm Radio. I’m Lee Maddox.