So, What's so great about
Soybean Biodiesel?

Well, something's got to be great about soybean biodiesel, because 59% of biodiesel is produced from soybean oil! Here are some benefits and disadvantages I found...


Some of the Benefits of Soybean Based Biodiesel:

• It deceases greenhouse gas emissions by 41%

• It produces an average of 48 gallons per acre.

• This Federal tax incentive will increase demand for soybean crops, thus soybean biodiesel. (Opens in new window). This time though, it eliminates the ‘splash and dash loophole’, which will promote U.S. crops.

• The National Biodiesel Board granted the Danforth Center $1.2 million to fund three years of research to increase the oil content in the seeds.

• In the year 2000, soybeans and corn were the largest U.S. crops.

• The soy meal produced from crushing is used for food. In fact, soybean crush is currently driven by demand for the meal, NOT the oil.

• Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences published a report that says soybean biodiesel produces 93% more energy than is used to produce it.


And Some Disadvantages:

• In 2005 a bushel of soybeans was under $5, by 2008 it has reached $15 or more.

• Producing biodiesel from soybean oil has a net energy loss of 32% according to this study done by Berkley.edu. (Opens in a new window).

Here are Some 'Growing' Facts:

• The soybeans have 20% oil content.

• Ideal growing temperatures have a mean of 68-86 degrees F, (20-30 C).

• Growth is significantly stunted when temperatures are lower than 68F (20C) or higher than 104F (40C).

• It takes 80-120 days from the time the seeds are sewed till harvest time


For additional information check out these great soybean graphs and statistics! (Opens in a new window).

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