-Photo by Joclyn Bushman/Iowa Soybean Association
Soy oil adhesive coating is placed on the asphalt at the Farm Progress Show grounds near Boone.

BOONE — The 2024 Farm Progress Show ended up being even bigger and better than years past, with the latest technological advancements, newest equipment and more.

One big improvement at the show was the creation of a 42,560-square-foot asphalt base established to help counteract any muddy ground at the show.

But it wasn’t just any asphalt. The Iowa Soybean Association, in partnership with Iowa State University, developed a soy-based asphalt that was used at the Central Iowa Expo Grounds near Boone.

“Infrastructure and demand are two priorities for Iowa soybean farmers,” said 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, added 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,” Jungmann said.

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 use a unique soybean oil additive that permits higher amounts of recycled asphalt pavement, ultimately extending the asphalt’s life by an additional 10 to 15 years and creating a thicker base to handle increased foot and vehicle traffic. In total, the construction utilizes roughly 2,500 pounds of soybean oil, or 234 bushels of soybeans. On average, each soybean bushel yields nearly 10.7 pounds of oil.

“High-oleic soybean oil as a replacement for other expensive, highly volatile compounds commonly used in the creation of asphalt products makes this product more environmentally friendly,” added Brock Johnston with the Iowa Soybean Association.

An initial base of soy-based asphalt was installed at the Farm Progress Show grounds in the summer of 2022 for a real-life test run. This summer, ISA sponsored asphalt enhancements to the asphalt pad so it could accommodate higher volumes of foot and vehicle traffic, Johnston said.

Iowa soybean farmers and their checkoff also have invested in the research and development of a new soy-based fire suppressant called SoyFoam, which is now available from Cross Plain Solutions. This product is a sustainable firefighting foam that utilizes soybean meal in its formulation to eliminate the need for intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, Johnston said.

“Traditional fire foams have the potential to expose first responders to PFAS, which is linked to several negative health effects, including certain cancers, cholesterol changes and more,” he added.