Soy-based Asphalt Enhancements Take Center Stage at the 2024 Farm Progress Show

As the nation’s largest outdoor farm event, the annual Farm Progress Show connects thousands of farmers with companies innovating the future of agriculture. Iowa soybean farmers and their checkoff are once again poised to enhance the show’s experience for visitors and vendors while highlighting new advancements in soy-based technologies.

The Iowa Soybean Association (ISA), in partnership with Iowa State University (ISU) and the Farm Progress Show, announce the completion of an enhanced soy-based asphalt project at the heart of the Central Iowa Expo Grounds near Boone. Sponsored by ISA, the 42,560 square foot asphalt base is a continuation of an initial project unveiled at the 2022 Farm Progress Show.

“Infrastructure and demand are two priorities for Iowa soybean farmers,” says Suzanne Shirbroun, ISA president and soybean farmer from Farmersburg. “Soy’s incorporation in asphalt enhances the product’s durability and longevity and reduces maintenance costs. It also increases demand for soybean oil, improves the product’s environmental footprint and provides the expo grounds with greater flexibility in the events it attracts and hosts.”

Site improvements that also highlight the versatility of crops produced by Iowa farmers is a win for all, says Matt Jungmann, event director of the Farm Progress Show.

“We’re creating an enhanced experience for visitors by upgrading the Varied Industries Tent area with this asphalt. Farmers and exhibitors will find this new surface creates a better environment for the show, while also being smoother and indistinguishable from the original asphalt in both look and feel.”

The paving project is an extension of the research conducted by Iowa State University into the formulation of high-oleic soybean oil as a replacement for other expensive, highly volatile compounds commonly used in the creation of asphalt products. The latest enhancements utilize a unique soybean oil additive that permits higher amounts of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP), ultimately extending the asphalt’s life by an additional 10-15 years and creating a thicker base to handle increased foot and vehicle traffic. In total, the construction utilizes roughly 2,500 lbs. of soybean oil, or 234 bushels of soybeans. On average, each soybean bushel yields nearly 10.7 lbs. of oil.

The Iowa Soybean Association, with soy checkoff support from the state’s 37,000 soybean farmers, is proud to have invested in the research and technology to make soy-based asphalt a reality, added Shirbroun.

“Featuring soy in such a prominent location will bring greater awareness and understanding of the product’s versatility and benefits, drive demand for homegrown soybeans and make the expo grounds more accessible for guests for years and decades to come.”

Visit ISA at the 2024 Farm Progress Show Aug. 27-29 inside the Varied Industries Tent (booth #9200) to learn more.

Tags: soybean