Funded by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff
Success Enhances Opportunities
Partnerships around the globe are helping farmers here at home, in Illinois. By Jill Parrent
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ocusing on expanding the reach of soybeans around the world is essential to Illinois soybean farmers. By setting the goals of economic growth and encouraging the progression of technology to enhance soybean production, farmers can capitalize on their soybean story each year. Often, farmers do not comprehend the true reach their soybeans can have after they leave their field, the elevator, and find their way across the ocean. Celebrating 25 Years The year 2021 marks the 25th year the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) has been involved
20 May 2021
with the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC). The ISA is one of the four longest standing partners of USAPEEC, with involvement reaching back to the inaugural year of 1996. During this time, the ISA has partnered with USAPEEC on more than 79 projects in 16 different countries. At first glance, Illinois involvement with poultry may appear farfetched, but Shelby Watson, Manager of Allied Industry Relations at USAPEEC says it is a perfect fit. “With poultry being the largest consumer of soybean meal, this surprising consumer utilizes 55 percent of all soybean meal, more
than any other commodity," says Watson. Although significant numbers are not raised in Illinois, poultry raised worldwide rely on soybean production from Illinois. Project Focus One of ISA’s funded projects is in Mexico. This particular project focuses on trade and education where they plan to continue with the intensive postgraduate poultry science and processing training program for the Mexican meat processing industry. The training encourages Mexican companies to not only use more U.S. chicken and turkey as a raw ingredient for processing new
ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat products, but it will update them on processing, packing, and storage technologies that meet international standards. The ultimate goal of this tactic is to provide training and education through a six-module program in the meat and poultry processing plants. Operators then develop value-added poultry products using U.S. poultry. “This beginning to end approach including multiple state soybean boards along with the United Soybean Board educates meat processing organizations with an all-encompassing course," says Watson. Mexico does not current-
