Wet Chemistry Soybean Series - Seed World

Field to Market evaluated national-scale metrics over the past two decades for land use, water use, energy use, soil loss and climate impact on corn, soy,cotton and wheat production. Water quality and biodiversity indicators are currently being developed and will be included in the next report. An executivesummary and full report can be accessed at keystone.org/spp/environment/sustainability/field-to-marketOnline CalculatorAnalyzes SustainabilityFarmers can analyze their naturalresource use and key cropproduction inputs using a newonline tool by Field to Market. TheFieldprint Calculator helpsfarmers evaluate naturalresource use on theiroperations comparedwith industry averages.These measures couldhelp improve productionefficiencies and profitpotential. The calculatorillustrates the connectionbetween resource andeconomic sustainability.fieldtomarket.org/fieldprintcalculator/trial/sustainableThe Field to Market group has defined sustainable agriculture as meeting theneeds of the present while improving the ability of future generations to meettheir own needs by focusing on these specific, critical outcomes:• Increasing agricultural productivity to meet future nutritional needs whiledecreasing impacts on the environment, including water, soil, habitat, airquality and climate emissions as well as land use;• Improving human health through access to safe, nutritious food; and• Improving the social and economic well-being of agricultural communities.For case studies, blogs and articles on what the industry is doing toimprove its environmental footprint visitfieldtomarket.org/resourcesTMOCTOBER 2011 27