21 Nov 2011

Soybean Checkoff: Demand Strong for U.S. Soy Abroad

By United Soybean Board

ST. LOUIS (November 16, 2011) - Federal government figures show U.S. soy continues to be in strong demand among international customers.

Buyers outside of the United States purchased 1.5 billion bushels of whole U.S. soybeans in the latest marketing year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.  That makes U.S. soy one of the largest agricultural exports.  And U.S. agriculture continues to lead all economic sectors with a positive balance of trade.

"Increasing demand for U.S. soy abroad has been the cornerstone of the soybean-checkoff-funded marketing efforts for the past 20 years," says Jim Call, a soybean farmer from Madison, Minn. Call also chairs the United Soybean Board (USB) International Marketing program. "We focus not just on China, but on increasing sales in other international markets, as well."

"The soybean checkoff helps fund market-building activities like hosting international buying teams and conducting poultry and livestock feeding demonstrations abroad that prove the advantages of using U.S. soy," Call says.

Additional key soybean export figures for the 2010/2011 marketing year:

  • U.S. soybean farmers helped export over 1.5 billion bushels of whole soybeans.
  • Soybean meal from over 332 million bushels of soybeans was exported.
  • Oil from approximately 290 million bushels of soybeans went to foreign customers.

Soy users in China weighed in as the top international customers of whole U.S. soybeans buying 895 million bushels, up from 825 million bushels during the 2010/2011 marketing year.  Other top importing markets for whole U.S. soybeans in the last marketing year include the following:

  • Mexico - 124.3 million bushels
  • Japan - 75.2 million bushels
  • Indonesia - 71.03 million bushels
  • Taiwan - 55.9 million bushels
  • Germany - 36.3 million bushels
  • Spain - 28.6 million bushels
  • Egypt - 27.8 million bushels
  • South Korea - 26.3 million bushels
  • Thailand - 18.6 million bushels

The soybean checkoff funds international marketing efforts in more than 80 countries worldwide. These include market development, communications and education.

USB is made up of 69 farmer-directors who oversee the investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. Checkoff funds are invested in the areas of animal utilization, human utilization, industrial utilization, industry relations, market access and supply. As stipulated in the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soybean checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedSoybeanBoard
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy
View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

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11 Nov 2011

Checkoff Wants Cities to Use More Biodiesel and Bioheat®

By United Soybean Board
Soybean checkoff to partner with Clean Cities to communicate benefits of biodiesel, Bioheat for fourth year


ST. LOUIS (November 7, 2011) - U.S. soybean farmers will receive a helping hand to spread the word about the positive benefits of soy biodiesel and Bioheat®. For the fourth year, the United Soybean Board (USB) and the soybean checkoff will partner with U.S. Department of Energy-affiliated (DOE) Clean Cities to build demand for soy biodiesel and Bioheat in major urban areas.

The checkoff continues to promote theses homegrown, green sources of energy by working with municipalities that participate in the DOE Clean Cities chapters to increase the availability and use of soy biodiesel and the heating oil alternative known as Bioheat.

"USB's Clean Cities program multiplies our opportunity for outreach," says Mike Beard, USB director and soybean farmer from Frankfort, Ind. "These Clean Cities chapters do a tremendous job of communicating the benefits of soy biodiesel and Bioheat to the public."

The Clean Cities program serves as a government-industry partnership sponsored by DOE and has more than 90 local chapters across the United States. These chapters work in their local areas to reduce petroleum consumption. USB asks that Clean Cities applicants develop programs that communicate the benefits of soy biodiesel through education, demonstrations and promotional activities in suburban and urban areas to help improve availability and use of soy biodiesel.

"Hopefully we'll see more applications for programs that reach out to potential biofuel users in the commercial area, such as heavy trucks and contractor fleets," adds Beard. "We also want to continue to reach those who make decisions in municipal governments."

The checkoff has opened the biodiesel reimbursement application process and encourages Clean Cities chapters to partner with Qualified State Soybean Boards for this project. The application period will close November 14. Participating chapters will be selected by USB farmer-leaders. USB has provided up to $150,000 to use toward the funding of these soy biodiesel and Bioheat® communications programs. Selected participants in this reimbursement program will be announced in mid-December.

In addition, USB has a second reimbursement program opened for Clean Cities. This will focus on creating demand for soy-based products, many developed with the help of the soybean checkoff. This program will award three reimbursements for up to $10,000 and four reimbursements for up to $5,000. Find more information about both programs by clicking here.


USB is made up of 69 farmer-directors who oversee the investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. Checkoff funds are invested in the areas of animal utilization, human utilization, industrial utilization, industry relations, market access and supply. As stipulated in the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soybean checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedSoybeanBoard
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy
View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

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20 Sep 2011

Soybean Farmers Score Big in New Football Season

By United Soybean Board
Checkoff Helped Develop Soy-Based Component in New Turf at Kansas State

ST. LOUIS (Sept. 19, 2011) - U.S. soybean farmers - especially those in Kansas - are undoubtedly especially proud this season of the Kansas State University (KSU) Wildcats - or, more specifically, their stadium playing field.

KSU recently installed AstroTurf® GameDay Grass™ at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan. AstroTurf products include a soy-based backing called BioCel®, from Universal Textile Technologies. BioCel uses soy-based-polyol technology developed with support from the soybean checkoff.

"We love seeing our U.S. soy on the football field," says USB New Uses program Chair Bob Haselwood, who farms about 65 miles east of Manhattan in Berryton. "The number one user of our soybeans is the animal ag sector, which uses 98 percent of our soybean meal. But soybean oil is used in a lot of things people aren't aware of, such as paint, cleaners and turf, and the list goes on and on."

"In fact, industrial use of U.S. soy has jumped 50 percent since 2006," adds Haselwood.

The sustainability of U.S. soy proves to be one important reason behind its increasing popularity in new, industrial uses. More often than ever, builders and other industrial customers choose soy-based products over those made with petroleum-based chemicals.

To recognize the new soy uses milestone, the United Soybean Board (USB) and Kansas Soybean Commission held a pregame event before the Wildcats' game on Sept. 17. The event offered the chance to hand out GameDay Grass samples to fans and talk to them about the versatility of soy.

While Kansas State became the first NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision institution to install soy-based AstroTurf, this superior surface is in use at every level of competition in facilities across the United States and Canada.

For example, the National Football League's St. Louis Rams and Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays play on soy-backed AstroTurf. As do the baseball teams at Kansas State, Ohio State and South Carolina. The football teams at Auburn, Tennessee and Texas all practice on GameDay Grass. And the Citrus Bowl, home of the Capital One Bowl and Champs Sports Bowl games, also sports AstroTurf. Click here to see if a venue near you uses AstroTurf.

BioCel combines the oil from U.S. soybeans with recycled content to make a polyurethane product alternative to similar petroleum-based goods. According to AstroTurf, the renewable backing extends the turf's life, enhances player safety, lessens our country's dependence on foreign oil and improves outdoor air quality.

This is just one of the new uses for U.S. soy that the soybean checkoff supports as part of its mission to help research, develop and promote additional ways to utilize the crop. Every year, thanks in part to checkoff funding, dozens of new soy-based products reach the marketplace.

USB is made up of 69 farmer-directors who oversee the investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. Checkoff funds are invested in the areas of animal utilization, human utilization, industrial utilization, industry relations, market access and supply. As stipulated in the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soybean checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit us at www.UnitedSoybean.org
For more information on new uses for U.S. soy, visit us at www.SoyNewUses.org
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedSoybeanBoard
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy
View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

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16 Sep 2011

U.S. Soybeans Take the Field for Football Season

By United Soybean Board
EVENT

U.S SOYBEANS ARE IN THE FIELD ? FOOTBALL FIELD, THAT IS

U.S. soybeans can be used to make food, feed, fiber, fuel and, now, fields. Kansas State University recently installed AstroTurf® GameDay Grass® on its football field. The turf's backing includes soy-based BioCel®, from Universal Textile Technologies. BioCel uses soy-based-polyol technology developed with support from the soybean checkoff.

Checkoff farmer-director Bob Haselwood can tell you more about the new, sustainable turf, as well as other uses for U.S. soy that may surprise you.

Haselwood will be in the Kansas Soybean Commission's tent before the Wildcats' game against Kent State. Come by and join him!

Try some barbecue, play a round on a miniature golf course made with soy-based turf and other soy-based products and even take home a turf sample!

You can also find ample material for further stories. Manufacturers of industrial products increasingly use more and more soy as a replacement for petroleum-based products. You might be surprised.
DATES Saturday, Sept. 17, 3-6 p.m. Central Time
LOCATION Kansas Soybean Commission tent
Outside the southwest corner of Bill Snyder Family Stadium
Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan.
31 Aug 2011

SOYBEAN CHECKOFF SEEKS YOUR INPUT

By United Soybean Board

Help Us Provide You with Information that Matters to Your Audience

Thank you for your interest in United Soybean Board (USB) and checkoff-related news. In an effort to provide you with relevant and timely information, we invite you to please complete a brief 5-minute survey by Friday, Sept. 23. We appreciate your input and will provide the first 500 respondents with a soybean wireless mouse.

If you would like to make additional comments, please contact Erin Hamm by phone at 888.235.4332 or e-mail at hamme@osborn-barr.com.

29 Aug 2011

Checkoff Aims to Increase National Soybean Yield Average

By United Soybean Board

The current national soybean yield average is 44 bushels per acre, but to meet world demand, that figure needs to be boosted to 59.5 bushels per acre by the year 2030. The checkoff's Production Research program funds research utilizing soybean genomics to help meet this goal.

A new checkoff project will use the mapped soybean genome to accelerate the process of developing and introducing new traits that could lead to high-yielding varieties.

Click here to download an audio news report with USB Production Research program Chair Jason Bean, a soybean farmer from Missouri, discussing how says the checkoff supports research that utilizes the mapped soybean genome to identify and evaluate specific soybean genes that increase yields.

If you would like to conduct additional interviews, please call Erin Hamm at 888.235.4332 or e-mail your request to hamme@osborn-barr.com.

26 Aug 2011

Checkoff Stresses Importance of Animal Ag at Farm Progress Show

By United Soybean Board
EVENT

USB FARMER-LEADERS AVAILABLE AT FARM PROGRESS SHOW TO STRESS IMPORTANCE OF ANIMAL AGRICULTURE

Several United Soybean Board (USB) farmer-leaders will attend the Farm Progress show next week to stress with their fellow U.S. soybean farmers the importance of supporting their No. 1 customer: the animal agriculture industry. Visit the USB and Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) tent for the opportunity to discuss that and other issues facing the soybean industry with Marc Curtis, USB chairman and soybean farmer from Leland, Miss.; Phil Bradshaw, past USB chairman and soybean farmer from Griggsville, Ill.; David Hartke, USB farmer-director and soybean farmer from Teutopolis, Ill.; and Nancy Kavazanjian, USB farmer-director and soybean farmer from Beaver Dam, Wis.
DATES Tues., August 30, Wed., August 31, and Thurs., Sept. 1, 2011
LOCATION Lots 349 and 351 
Third Progress Street, east of West Progress Avenue
Decatur, Ill.
If you would like to schedule an interview on-site or in advance, please call Erin Hamm at (314) 746-1962 or email hamme@osborn-barr.com. 
INTERVIEW
OPPORTUNITIES
  • Marc Curtis, USB chairman and soybean farmer from Leland, Miss. (Wed., 8/31 only)
  • Phil Bradshaw, USB farmer-leader and soybean farmer from Griggsville, Ill. (Tues., 8/30 only)
  • David Hartke, USB farmer-leader and soybean farmer from Teutopolis, Ill. (Tues., 8/30-Wed. 8/31)
  • Nancy Kavazanjian, USB farmer-leader and soybean farmer from Beaver Dam, Wis. (Tues., 8/30-Wed. 8/31)
ON-SITE CONTACT Erin Hamm with USB Communications, cell (314) 412-6982
15 Aug 2011

USDA Announces 19 USB Farmer-Director Appointments

By United Soybean Board

Twelve Returning Directors, Seven New Directors Will Be Sworn In at Annual Meeting

ST. LOUIS (August 12, 2011) - Nineteen farmer-leaders will be sworn in as directors of the United Soybean Board (USB) in December, after receiving appointment recently by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

The 19 soybean farmers from across the United States include seven new appointees and 12 returning directors. These volunteers work to invest checkoff funds on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers in the areas of domestic and international marketing, maintaining and increasing U.S. soybean yields, finding new uses for soy, ensuring market access for U.S. soy and other areas affecting the U.S. soy industry.

"It is our board's job to wisely invest checkoff dollars to increase the profit potential of all U.S. soybean farmers," said USB Chairman Marc Curtis, a soybean farmer from Leland, Miss. "Serving U.S. soybean farmers as part of USB takes a great commitment but is truly an honor as well."

Appointed farmer-leaders include : 

•    Angela M. Dee, Ala.
•    Robert L. Stobaugh, Ark.
•    James L. Stillman, Iowa*
•    Larry K. Marek, Iowa
•    Dwain L. Ford, Ill.*
•    Michael A. Beard, Ind. *
•    Craig M. Gigstad, Kan.
•    Keith N. Tapp, Ky.
•    Eugene L. Lowe III, Md.*
•    R. Alan Moore, Mich.*
•    Scott G. Singlestad, Minn.*
•    J. Willard Spargo, Mo.
•    James D. Sneed, Miss.*
•    Loyd L. Pointer, Neb.*
•    Daniel J. Corcoran, Ohio*
•    Ellie W. Green Jr., S.C.
•    Robert J. Metz, S.D.*
•    John R. Butler, Tenn.*
•    Tom P. Rotello Sr., Texas*
•    James P. Buck, Ala. (alternate director)
•    Scotty J. Herriman, Okla. (alternate director)
•    Fitzhugh L. Bethea III, S.C. (alternate director)

* Indicates returning director.

All appointees, who will serve three-year terms, will be sworn in on Dec. 6 at USB's annual meeting in St. Louis. Qualified State Soybean Boards nominated all of the soybean farmers selected by the agriculture secretary to serve on USB.

USB is made up of 69 farmer-directors who oversee the investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. Checkoff funds are invested in the areas of animal utilization, human utilization, industrial utilization, industry relations, market access and supply. As stipulated in the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soybean checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit us at www.UnitedSoybean.org
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedSoybeanBoard
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy
View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

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24 Jun 2011

Soybean Checkoff Works to Get Information to Farmers

By United Soybean Board

State and national checkoff organizations fund numerous research projects each year to protect yields from diseases and pests. But, in order for this research to achieve its maximum benefit, farmers need to know about the results.

That's why USB recently began stepping up its efforts to get more checkoff-funded research results into the hands of U.S. soybean farmers.

Click here to download an audio news report with checkoff farmer-leaders Jimmy Sneed, of Mississippi, and John Butler, of Tennessee, on how they expect this project to help farmers.

If you would like to conduct additional interviews, please call Erin Hamm at 888.235.4332 or e-mail your request to hamme@osborn-barr.com.

22 Jun 2011

FARMER-LEADERS TO SET THE COURSE FOR SOYBEAN INDUSTRY

By United Soybean Board

The farmer-leaders of the United Soybean Board (USB) will set the course for the soybean industry for the next five years when they gather in Milwaukee for their annual summer meeting. There, the farmer-leaders are scheduled to evaluate, review and vote on a proposed long-range strategic plan that will define their top objectives as they work to expand the profit potential of U.S. soybean farmers.

The board will also reach decisions on the direction of the 2012 fiscal year, with specific program areas evaluating recommendations on 2012 action plans for each program area, including Communications, Domestic Marketing, International Marketing, Production Research and New Uses Development.
USB is made up of 69 U.S. soybean farmers who oversee the investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers.

Dates: June 29- July1st
Location: Hyatt Regency Milwaukee 333 West Kilbourn Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53203
If you would like to preschedule an interview or cannot attend and would like to schedule a phone interview, please call Erin Hamm at 888-235-4332 or e-mail your request to hamme@osborn-barr.com.
Interview Opportunities: Marc Curtis, USB Chairman and soybean farmer from Leland, Miss.
On-Site Contact: Erin Hamm with USB Communications, 314-412-6982.

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