Soybeans are typically grown as an annual crop, planted in the spring and harvested in the fall. The process of growing soybeans involves planting the seeds, regular irrigation and fertilization, weed and pest management and of course, harvesting. Once harvested, soybeans are used for a variety of products such as food products like tofu, soy milk, and soy sauce, animal feed, and in the production of biofuels, lubricants, and plastics.
Nebraska is one of the top soybean-producing states in the United States. The state is also home to several large soybean processing plants, where the beans are cleaned, roasted, and processed into a variety of products such as soy meal, soy oil, and soy protein which can be utilized domestically or exported to customers around the globe.
