Soybeans are Nebraska’s second-largest harvested crop. The most versatile of the major crops, soybeans can be grown in a wide variety of soils and climatic conditions. Consequently, soybeans are the most widely grown oilseed in the world. They often are used in rotation with corn because soybean plants return nitrogen back into the soil. The seed of the soybean plant—or bean—is processed for use in animal feed, human food products and renewable fuel. Soybeans also are being used to make several industrial use products like ink, coatings, solvents, plastics, lubricants and adhesives.