Focus on soybean utilization, innovation

INDIANAPOLIS — Finding new uses for soybeans is crucial for Hoosier farmers and agribusinesses.

Nate Mosier, a professor at Purdue University, is the soybean utilization research chair at Indiana Soybean Alliance.

When he started his role as ISA research chair, he laid out a vision: to boost research and outreach related to soybean new uses.

“I think it’s a good idea to think about the current landscape and where opportunities might be, so we can invest our time and resources to potentially have the greatest impact,” said Mosier during a webinar hosted by ISA. “Soybean oil directly can be used in a lot industrial applications and already is being used.”

Items like soy-oil based rubber allow tire treads to adapt to changing temperatures. It enhances tire performance in wet and winter conditions.

Biodiesel, soy wax, isoflavones, polyols and other areas are also important to soy research.

Soybean Innovation Contest

Mosier has helped lead outreach efforts, including the Student Soybean Innovation Competition and ASPIRE Summer Entrepreneurship Internship Program.

“For more than a quarter century, the ISA has supported this competition,” Mosier said. “It’s a testament to the vision to ISA and the commitment of board members to sponsor this.”

This year, Beck’s Hybrids is providing whole soybeans for students to utilize. Student teams will also get a starter box with materials that might come in handy during experiments.

Mosier’s goals for the competition include:

• Recruit students with a diverse set of skills and skill levels to compete.

• Deliver diverse, high quality product prototypes and preliminary marketing to ISA.

• Enhance public awareness of student innovation and soybean use in new products.

In addition to enhancing the soybean innovation contest, Mosier would like to engage with alumni and make new collaborations.

“The research supported by Indiana soybean farmers is about investing in future demand,” said Courtney Kingery, CEO of Indiana Soybean Alliance.

“We look forward to future innovations developed and brought to the market, increasing value of Indiana soybeans. Future innovations will bring new revenue streams to Indiana’s farmers.”

Learn more about ISA at www.indianasoybean.com.