Corbion links up with Truterra and farmers to advance data-driven sustainable agriculture

12 Jul 2021 --- Biobased ingredients company Corbion and Truterra – the sustainability business of Land O’Lakes involved in private-sector conservation solutions – have partnered to promote sustainable agriculture practices among farmers within Corbion’s US soybean supply shed. 

Corbion, Truterra and Truterra’s local partner Central Valley Ag (CVA) will work together with farmers in Corbion’s soy sourcing area to collect crop production data, including data from Corbion-sponsored cover crop innovation trials. 

“Our collaboration is founded on a shared understanding that the health of our planet, our people and our businesses are absolutely intertwined. Science gives us a disciplined understanding of how nature works,” says Corbion CEO Olivier Rigaud.

“Technology gives us powerful tools that help us be more efficient. It's up to us to share these things, working together to realize their potential for creating benefits throughout the supply network, and helping to secure our long-term future.”

Digitally backed sustainability
Leveraging Truterra’s digital sustainability data platform, the Truterra Insights Engine, farmers will use the data to establish a sustainability baseline for each field.

Leveraging Truterra’s digital sustainability data platform, the Truterra Insights Engine, farmers will use the data to establish a sustainability baseline for each field.

They will also identify improvement opportunities and model the impact of various conservation practices for specific portions of their land.

The digital platform creates a framework for continuous improvements that help protect natural resources, enhance profitability for the farmer and create a more sustainable supply chain. 

The Truterra Insights Engine will also be used to track, aggregate and report on environmental impact over time, including greenhouse gas emissions, yield and soil health.

“It's great to see Corbion make a commitment like this as it sends a very clear signal to the marketplace. Working with farmers is one of the fastest, most scalable and effective ways to achieve sustainability results,” says Jason Weller, Truterra VP.

“As private sector demand for on-farm stewardship continues to grow, we’re proud to partner with companies like Corbion to bring new resources and opportunities directly to farmers and their local agricultural retailers.”

Aaron Sindelar, PhD, Conservation Agronomist, Central Valley Ag, adds: “Without tools like the Truterra Insights Engine, making wholesale crop management changes across an entire farm operation is a risky proposition.”

“These innovation trials help farmers evaluate how innovative practices such as cover crop and nitrogen stabilizers fit into their operation’s agronomic and business plans by testing these practices on a portion of their land, which allows farmers the ability to assess their agronomic, economic, and environmental impact.”

By Benjamin Ferrer