1. 2. 3.
Does the Senate version of the farm bill provide an adequate safety net for southern soybean farmers? What changes need to be made to the bill to protect southern soybean farmers? Should farmers who irrigate be able to directly receive the money that would pay for insurance premiums under the SCO to “self-insure” and cover the cost of irrigation?
HERBICIDE DRIFT Herbicide drift is an ever-present risk for row-crop agriculture. In fact, with more and more biotech, herbicide-resistant production systems being introduced, the problem of drift has the potential of becoming worse, despite the best efforts of all involved. Among others, soybeans resistant to 2,4-D and soybeans resistant to dicamba are being developed. The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture has developed a Flag the Technology program that creates a system of color-coded flags that farmers can place around a field to let neighbors and applicators what technology is planted in that field. The next step in the Flag the Technology program is a smart phone app that will enable farmers to use GPS coordinates to mark locations and the appropriate technology in a database that can be accessed by their neighbors and applicators. Related Policy: Cotton 103, Rice 105, Soybeans 107, 137 State Plant Board 1. 2.
How can farmers be encouraged to participate in the Flag the Technology program? Should the State Plant Board require participation in Flag the Technology or other identification system?
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MARKETING CONVENTIONAL SOYBEANS Conventional beans make up only a tiny percentage of the total soybean crop. However, there are companies that cater to consumer demand that are willing to pay a premium (sometimes a hefty one) for conventional soybeans. The University of Arkansas, funded by the soybean checkoff, has maintained a conventional breeding program and continues to market conventional varieties through the foundation seed program. Related Policy: Soybeans 107 1.
How can Farm Bureau and others help connect farmers planting conventional soybeans with those willing to pay a premium for them?
ANTI-SOY MYTHS For several years, anti-soy rhetoric has gained ground in the United States. The origins of the “theories” on soy are likely traced back to one source, the Weston A. Price Foundation, which is an advocate for what they call “traditional diets,” including the raw milk movement. One of the claims is that being an estrogen-imitator, soy can