Visitors to this week's Ag Progress Days near State College, Pa., will breathe a little easier, thanks to a soy-base dust suppressant applied a week ago. DustKill, applied by DustKill East of Paradise, Pa., is a biodegradable alternative to chemical and petroleum dust suppressant that binds loose gravel to dust and "fines", creating a compacted surface similar in texture to asphalt, with no tracking of the oil.
Pennsylvania soybean farmers sponsored the DustKill treatment to showcase commercial products made from soybeans. Through the soybean checkoff, growers contribute one-half of one percent of the net market value of their soybeans for research, marketing and education projects.
Since soybean oil isn't water soluble, it lasts longer and doesn't run off into ground water. And a full-rate application lasts about a year.
Learn more about the product at the Soybean Association's booth in Dairy and Livestock Tent Number Two at the show.
Ag Progress Days is held at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, nine miles southwest of State College on Route 45. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 18; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 19; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 20. Admission and parking are free.