News

Investments with soybean checkoff dollars showcase added values for farmers

A soybean farmer says investing soybean checkoff dollars in new uses continues to add value for soybean farmers.

Richard Bartek is a Nebraska Soybean Board member and tells Brownfield “Soybean oil in years past has been great for the cooking industry and now it’s being incorporated in a lot of byproducts and in regular products: paints, solvents and cleaners.”

During an Earth Day demonstration, employees at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln applied a soy-based treatment to the roof of Brace Laboratory paid for by check off dollars.

He says the roof rejuvenating spray is another example of how byproducts are being used. “When you’re a soybean producer, you’re out doing your thing and when you deliver your beans to the producer it’s out of your hands. With checkoff dollars, we have an investment in this and it’s going to pay off. I know it will,” Bartek says.

Developed by Ohio-based Roof Maxx in 2018, the soy-based treatment extends a roof’s life up to 15 years through flexibility and waterproofing and is safe for people, pets and the environment.

UNL says they didn’t develop the product but researchers are working to find ways to add value to the state’s ag products through renewable chemicals, polymers and fuels.