Soybeans: The Commodity Chain

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Soybeans: The Commodity Chain and Consequential Effects
Soybeans are a popular substitute for animal protein that is used both in a variety of products and for a variety of uses. Soybeans are a legume that is “considered the world’s foremost source of protein and oil” (Globalization101 2009). Within the United States, their crops are present in nearly every single state. Soybean crops are also grown in most of South America. The soybean crop is one of the most plentiful commodities in the world and produces a wide variety of products. There are three markets for the soy crops: whole soybeans, soybean oil, and soybean meal. Yet most of the crops of soy are allocated for production of vegetable oil and animal feed, leaving only a small portion for these soybean food items.
Supply Chain Processes
The first step in soybean production is to thresh the soybeans, meaning to remove the beans from the pods in which they are stored. There are machines that perform this function for the farmers during harvest season. …show more content…

They claim to help farmers cultivate more from their farms while conserving natural resources. One item they sell is GMO seeds for soybeans. For Monsanto, soybeans were the first successful crop to be harvested. Now, 95% of the soybeans used in the United States come from Monsanto’s Roundup Ready soybeans, which are genetically altered. As of 2007, Monsanto owns a staggering 23% of the global seed market.
According to USA Today (USA Today2013), most of the soybeans crops in the United States are GMO crops. A first glance one would wonder what all the fuss is about; the benefits of GMO crops seem to be substantial. Disease resistant and higher yielding crops seem to be quite a good deal. Yet one must also take into account the health and environmental consequences before determining the benefits outweigh the costs.
Health Consequences of

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