Soy Bean Fun Facts
Fun Facts About Soybeans
Illinois is the number one soybean producing state and it is now even the official state bean! Not only that, but the United States grow more soybeans than any other country in the world. Check out some facts about these versatile beans and their uses.
- Illinois produces over 698 million bushels of soybeans each year.
- Every part of the soybean can be used to make food and industrial products – even the hull is used for livestock feed.
- Soybean oil is the main edible oil used in the United States. Soybeans are the #1 ingredient in vegetable oil.
- Over 50% of soybeans grown in the United States are exported to other countries. Because of this, soybeans are transported by trucks, trains and ships to get where they’re going.
- The average American consumes half a cup of soybeans in some form every day. They really are everywhere!
- Soybeans are ready to harvest when the plant turns brown and the leaves fall off. This indicates that the beans inside the pod are hard and dry.
- Soybeans gained popularity in the United States in 1940 when Henry Ford made a car trunk with soybean plastic that stood up against the weight of an ax. This is when the United States began exporting soybeans and soybean products.
- Soy ink is used in over 95% of America’s daily newspapers that circulate more than 1,500 copies per run.
- One acre of soybeans can produce 82,368 crayons.
- Soybeans take 80-120 days from planting to harvest. In the United States this means soybeans are planted in the spring and harvested in the fall.
Source: Illinois Ag in the Classroom Soybean Ag Mag and Reader