'Soy Combines' Coming in 2002

August 7, 2001

The soybean farmers of America soon may be driving combines made from the crop they harvested. At the John Deere Product Launch in Albuquerque, NM, the farm machinery manufacturing giant announced that model year 2002 combines will feature new soy-based polymer and soy and corn-based resin panels.

PDlymer and resin materials were developed in part by funding from the soybean checkoff and the United Soybean Board (USB). USB's New Uses Committee funded a development and commercialization project to further the use of soy polymer in multiple applications, including automotive and farm machinery parts.

"Soybean checkoff farmer leaders invest soybean checkoff dollars to develop new soy-based products in an effort to increase the utilization of U.S. soybeans," said New Uses Chairman Mark Eck, a soybean farmer from Henderson, Md. "The soy polymer and resin are exciting products because they can be used in so many different ways. With John Deere's involvement, it's a great way to show soybean farmers that their checkoff can benefit them directly."

Each John Deere combine will have a soy-based panel, called HarvestForm™, made from the soy polymer. Two other panels will be made from the soy and corn resin. These panels have undergone extensive testing to ensure John Deere's performance standards are met.

"John Deere is dedicated to developing farm equipment that utilizes U.S. commodities produced by our farmer-customers," said Barry Nelson, public relations manager for John Deere. "The soybean checkoff and U.S. soybean farmers deserve a lot of credit for having the foresight to invest in the development of new uses for their crop."