The Rock County Corn and Soybean Growers Board recently donated a full set of tires to the Rock County Sheriff’s Office as part of a promotion for using soybean oil in tire treads.
Goodyear’s soy-based “Eagle Enforcer All Weather” tires are designed for extreme climates.
According to state soybean promoters, soybean oil in a tire’s tread compound creates low glass transition temperatures, helping to improve tire flexibility and provide better traction in colder temperatures.
“The Rock County Growers Board is proud to donate tires made with a product that we grow locally,” said Lucas Peters, Rock County Corn and Soybean Growers chair.
“We were happy to promote the innovative use of soybeans while also supporting our county sheriff’s department.”
Rock County farmers and their soybean checkoff dollars are giving back to local emergency responders and also promoting the diverse uses of soybeans.
“We see the value of promoting the soy-based tires to be able to show consumers that soybeans are more versatile than people think when it comes to being used in household and industrial products,” said Gary Gertz, Rock County Corn and Soybean Growers board member and MSGA Director.
“I hope this draws people’s attention and has them checking the labels of products in their homes.”
Goodyear has increased its use of soybeans by 73 percent since 2018 and pledged to fully replace all of its petroleum-driven oils with soybean oil by 2040.
The Rock County Corn and Soybean Growers Association is affiliated with the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, which oversees the investment of soybean checkoff dollars on behalf of the nearly 28,000 soybean farmers in Minnesota.
The money is used to promote, educate and develop market opportunities for soybeans.
You must log in to continue reading. Log in or subscribe today.