The Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council is pleased with early results of the new soybean-oil dust suppressant being tested throughout Southeast Missouri this summer.

Final results will rest with long-term durability of the oil, but Thomas M. Verry, director of field services with the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council headquartered in Jefferson City, is optimistic the product will make the grade.

"We have used the product in three locations during the past month," said Verry. "The oil has set up a hard crust and is doing the job of keeping dust down."

The soybean dust suppressant is a new product for the Valley Co. of Memphis, Tenn., which also produces a soybean soap, a byproduct of the refining process of soybean oil.

"We are keeping close watch on the test spots," said Tom Dixon, industrial products sales manager with Valley.

Verry, Dixon and Scott County Highway Department Superintendent Terry Herndon were on hand when the soybean oil was first sprayed on a gravel road in Southeast Missouri in late June.

More recently, the soybean dust suppressant has been sprayed in Pemiscot County, in the Caruthersville area, and in New Madrid County near the Associated Electric power plant near Marston.

"We are always looking for a better way to reduce dust," said Ron Westfall, yard operations superintendent at the electric plant. "We'll be watching the results."

Verry believes the soybean-based dust suppressant may be the right solution for the dust problems at the coal-fired power plant and on the nearby gravel roads.

Besides, said Verry, the soybean dust suppressant is available at a low cost and is more environmentally friendly than some of its alternatives. The produce is biodegradable and will not affect water quality.

Soybean oil can be placed on gravel roads for less than half the cost of other oils.

Herndon has been keeping close watch on the soybean oil strips in Scott County.

"It's acting almost like pavement," said Herndon. "But there is a down side to the product," he said, referring to the odor of the soybean oil.

"The odor is not that offensive, but it is present," said Herndon. "During wet weather it is more noticeable than during dry weather."

Herndon said the soybean oil works good on a limestone-base gravel road. "It holds together good," he said.

"I'm optimistic," said Herndon. He said he thinks it is a viable alternative product for dust control wherever gravel roads are present.

"It solves two big problems," he said. "It solves a market problem for soybeans and solves a dust problem for the county."

The dust suppressant creates another market for soybeans, which is one of Southeast Missouri's largest agriculture commodities. More than 30 million bushes of soybeans are produced in the region each year.