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Central Indiana farmer values ag policy work January 2024

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| VOL. 16, NO. 5

Investments in Panama help build markets for Indiana corn, soy ISA and ICMC farmer leaders participated in a regional project in Panama City, Panama to continue to build relationships with stakeholders and see how checkoff investments boost markets Central America.

Chairman Kevin Cox, Brazil / D3 Vice Chairman Denise Scarborough, LaCrosse / D1 Secretary Keevin Lemenager, Monrovia / D4 Treasurer Carey McKibben, LaGrange / D2 Committee Chairs Joseph Stoller, Bremen / D1 Brian Warpup, Warren / D2 Steve Phares, Albion / D2

Legan family recognizes value of on-farm conservation practices

Directors John Peters, Monticello / D1 Allen Buchanan, Fowler / D1 Dylan Christopher, Brookston / D1 Kevin Kelley, Brookston / D1 Jenna Scott, Muncie / D2 Brian Warpup, Warren / D2 Mark Wenning, Cambridge City / D2 C.J. Chalfant, Hartford City / D2 Mark Legan, Coatesville / D3 Derika Lynam-Spaetti, Richland / D3 Gary McDaniel, Boonville / D3 Jason Misiniec, Bicknell / D3 Larry Rusch, Vincennes / D3 Roger Bommer, Brookville / D4 Kevin Burbrink, Seymour / D4 Mike Koehne, Greensburg / D4 Chris Eck, Boggstown / D4 Roger Wenning, Greensburg / D4

First-generation farmer Mark Legan has adopted conservation practices on his Putnam County operation with the next generations in mind.

42 Biofuels made from homegrown feedstocks benefit environment ICMC, ISA tout alternative fuels and technologies as consumers seek environmentally friendly energy solutions and transportation sector stakeholders aim to meet decarbonization goals.

48 Whiskey among many products made with bushels of Indiana corn The state’s corn checkoff is dedicated to delivering corn in all of its different forms to customers around the world. One of the more popular forms is as old as Indiana itself – whiskey.

Directors Tom Murphy, Chesterton / D1 Alan Dunn, Michigantown / D4 Mike Beard, Frankfort / D4 Scott Smith, Windfall / D5 Tyler Pottschmidt, Greensburg / D9

President Chris Cherry, New Palestine / D6 Vice President Tyler Everett, Lebanon / D7 Secretary J.R. Roesner, Ferdinand / D8 Treasurer Joe Tuholski, LaPorte / D2

Staff Credits Editor / Dave Blower Jr. Writer / Amie Simpson Writer / Emma Hopkins-O’Brien Writer / Susan Hayhurst Creative Director / Carol Johnson Indiana Corn & Soybean Post® is published six times per year by the Indiana Soybean Alliance and the Indiana Corn Growers Association. For address corrections contact: Indiana Corn & Soybean Post® 8425 Keystone Crossing, Suite 200 Indianapolis, IN 46240 Phone: 800-735-0195 or 317-614-0377 Email: dblower@indianasoybean.com

For advertising information in the Indiana Corn & Soybean Post®, contact Dave Blower Jr. at 317-3473620 or dblower@indianasoybean. com. Comments and statewide news articles should be sent to the above address. Advertising space reservations must be made by the first day of the month preceding publication. In consideration of the acceptance of the advertisement, the agency and the advertiser must, in respect of the contents of the advertisement, indemnify and save the publisher harmless against any expense arising from claims or actions against the publisher because of the publication of the content of the advertisement.

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50 About the cover: Scott Smith, a farmer from Windfall, Ind., believes in “faith, family and farm – in that order.” He said an important part of keeping a farm running smoothly and successfully is working with lawmakers on pro-farm policies. For more about Smith, read about his story on page 16.

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JANUARY 2024

PRESIDENT’S REVIEW

Bacon Bar and Brunch will launch a busy year of events during 2024 Chris Cherry President Indiana Corn Growers Association

s it says in Ecclesiastes, “to everything there is a season.” For many of us in Indiana this January, this has been a season to try to stay warm amid freezing temperatures. My heart goes out to livestock producers who must brave the wintry conditions to care for their animals. In addition to winter, basketball and farm meeting seasons, I have started a new season of leadership with the Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA). I was elected as the group’s new president at our most recent meeting, and I’m excited about the tasks that we are planning to accomplish in this new year. For the past two years I’ve worked closely with Scott Smith, a farmer from Windfall, Ind., who has served ICGA members well as the group’s president. Having served as the vice president, I gained valuable leadership experience in the position and while working with Scott. I’m looking forward to continuing our time together on the board and taking on the responsibility of the role of president. Before we get started, let me introduce myself. I am a full-time farmer from the New Palestine, Ind., area. We grow corn, soybeans and wheat on our Hancock County farm. I own and operate Cherry Ag Service, which sells crop insurance and Pioneer seed. My wife, Cristi, and I have three grown daughters. I am a graduate of Franklin College with degrees in journalism and public relations. Previously, I served on the Indiana Soybean Alliance board of directors. We have many projects in store for ICGA members in 2024. Our first event of the year will be our annual legislative breakfast at the Indiana Statehouse from

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8-10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 5. Known as the Bacon Bar and Brunch, this is both a fun and productive event. The brunch invites farmers and lawmakers to get together to discuss farm policy issues that will come up during this year’s General Assembly. But there’s the added benefit of many pounds of bacon and other Indiana-produced breakfast food. There is more information about this brunch event throughout this magazine. For those of you who have never been to the Statehouse, this is an excellent opportunity to do so. It is an ornate and historic building. Go to www.incornandsoy.org/bacon2024 for a free registration. ICGA staff is also working to organize “Coffee Shop Talks” in each congressional district during late winter and early spring. Members of Congress from each district are invited to a coffee shop in their district to discuss federal ag policy issues with 10 or so ICGA members. Attendance is by invitation only. If you’re not a member of our policy organizations, this can be a good reason to join. Farmers who want to become members should contact Khyla Goodman, ICGA Industry Affairs Outreach and Membership Manager, at kgoodman@ incorn.org or call 317-677-3137. Later this year we will host the High Performance Low Carbon Liquid Fuels Conference, the Indiana Ag Policy Summit and Shop Talks. Details for these events and more will be published as the year progresses. Every year, our mission is to make Indiana corn farms more profitable. Join us throughout 2024 to help us accomplish this goal.

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COMMITTEE CHAIR’S REVIEW

Indiana General Assembly to consider several farm-related bills in this session Joe Stoller Chair ISA Membership and Policy Committee

appy New Year! I hope you’re off to a great 2024. There are many things to look forward to in this new year. For me, that includes a new role on the soybean policy committee. The directors of the Indiana Soybean Alliance Membership & Policy Committee (M&P) honored me with the title of M&P Committee chair for 2024. I’m very excited about this opportunity. I’m interested in politics and farm policy issues. I believe that farmers need to be involved in the legislative process. We can recognize and explain the benefits and unintended consequences of ag policy proposals at the state and federal level. Let me introduce myself. I grow soybeans and corn in Marshall County near Bremen, Ind. I am a 2009 graduate of Colorado State University. I studied agricultural economics and business administration. I started farming in 2010. I was first elected to the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) Board in 2019. Earlier this month, the 2024 session of the Indiana General Assembly opened with several bills that could affect Hoosier farmers in the near future. Our policy staff, led by M&P Senior Director of Industry Affairs Steve Howell, have been closely watching the progress of these bills. As I said earlier, farmers need to get involved in these discussions. M&P will create several opportunities for farmers to interact with lawmakers this year. The first will be the Bacon Bar and Brunch at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis from 8-10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 5. This is a great annual event that allows us to talk policy with state lawmakers over plates of bacon and other farm-raised, breakfast foods. For free registration to this brunch, go online to www.incornandsoy.org/bacon2024. Many of the farm-related proposals in this year’s Assembly are good for agriculture and have the support of M&P. There are others that require more analysis. Here is a summary of the bills we’re watching:

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HB1315 Biofuel Tax Credits – Authored by • Rep. Craig Snow (R-Warsaw), this bill provides tax credits for the sale of blended biodiesel or renewable diesel and the blending of biodiesel or renewable diesel. The bill also provides tax credits for the sale of higher ethanol blends. M&P supports this bill. HB1155 Right to Repair – Authored by Rep. Robb Greene (R-Shelbyville), this bill requires farm equipment manufacturers that sell in Indiana to provide buyers of equipment with information on the maintenance and repair of that equipment. The manufacturers must also make parts and tools for these repairs available for purchase. There would be penalties for manufacturers that fail to offer these services. M&P supports this bill. SB105 Updated Indiana Drainage Handbook – Authored by Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg), this bill requires the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) to oversee the preparation and publication of an updated version of the Indiana Drainage Handbook. The bill instructs ISDA to hire a contractor to write the update and to appoint an advisory board from specific groups to oversee the Handbook’s update. M&P supports this bill. There are many more bills to follow. When you become a member of M&P, you will receive weekly updates of bills moving through the Indiana Statehouse during this year’s session. I will close with this invitation. If you are curious about becoming a member or representing agriculture in the political arena, then attend and participate in the Bacon Bar and Brunch on Feb. 5 or visit one of our other events throughout the year. Let’s get 2024 off to a great start.

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Soy Takes Flight: 2023 ends with encouraging news from the transportation sector BY BLAIR SHIPP American Soybean Association Ending the year on a good note was the U.S. Department of the Treasury, who issued comprehensive guidance on the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Credit, delivering positive news for the soybean industry. Released on Dec. 15, this guidance offers a clear pathway for incorporating soy and other plant-based feedstocks into the expanding sustainable aviation fuel sector, presenting exciting opportunities for industry stakeholders. The ongoing discussions around the Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)-GREET model, a key factor in determining SAF Credit eligibility, have garnered attention. While the ANL-GREET model received endorsements from ASA and industry stakeholders, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identified its limitations in meeting Clean Air Act parameters for greenhouse gas emissions. As a response, collaborative efforts are in progress to develop a new GREET methodology by March 1, including a comprehensive evaluation involving ClimateSmart Agriculture Practices. A pivotal acknowledgment from the EPA is that the methodology used for the Renewable Fuel Standard Program aligns with necessary standards. This acknowledgment led the Treasury to specify that SAF qualifying as biomass-based diesel or advanced biofuel under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) will enjoy a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for the SAF Credit. This regulatory recognition is particularly beneficial

for soy-based SAF, making it eligible for an attractive $1.25 per gallon rate. Once the new GREET methodology is finalized, soy-based SAF may be eligible for a higher tax credit.

Clean Fuel Production Credit The tax credit, with retroactive applicability from Jan. 1, 2023, through Dec. 31, 2024, smoothly transitions thereafter to the Clean Fuel Production Credit (45Z), an additional provision established under the Inflation Reduction Act. This development gains significance as renewable diesel, a unique fuel from regular biodiesel, demand has grown significantly during the past couple of years. Renewable diesel, meeting the ASTM standard for diesel fuel and blendable up to 100 percent with regular diesel, is gaining prominence and is increasingly using soybean oil as a feedstock. SAF production costs more than biodiesel or renewable diesel production. The new credit allows the fuel for air travel to gain an additional 25 cents beyond the Blenders Tax Credit. Renewable diesel, biodiesel and SAF made from soybean oil are all eligible for the $1 BTC, but SAF can only claim the BTC or SAF credit – not both. Comparing these biofuels reveals variations in production processes, costs, and feedstock requirements. While renewable diesel plants display adaptability to produce some SAF, biodiesel plants lack this versatility. Notably, producing a gallon of SAF requires more raw materials than biodiesel or renewable diesel, hence the higher costs. All these biofuels, including biodiesel, renewable diesel and SAF, qualify for different state and federal programs such as the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). However, the treatment of feedstocks within these

The escalating demand for renewable diesel has reshaped the soybean market dynamics, with soybean oil at times constituting about half of a soybean’s overall value.

INDIANA CORN & SOYBEAN POST

programs adds a layer of complexity. The escalating demand for renewable diesel has reshaped the soybean market dynamics, with soybean oil at times constituting about half of a soybean’s overall value. This shift has cascading effects on soybean prices and the broader soybean industry. The recent guidance from the Treasury on the SAF Credit, coupled with the acknowledgment of soy-based SAF within established programs, opens promising avenues for soybean farmers. Beyond its immediate impact on soybean prices, this development solidifies soybeans as a pivotal raw material in the evolving landscape of sustainable aviation fuels and renewable diesel. Industry professionals are encouraged to thoroughly assess the strategic implications arising from these regulatory changes.

Rail update – as of early January After a five-day suspension in late December, U.S. Customs and Border Protection resumed operations at the international railway crossing bridges in Eagle Pass

and El Paso, Texas. These critical rail arteries, essential for shipping grain into Mexico, were temporarily closed to redirect CBP resources for efficiently processing an influx of migrants entering the U.S. at these points. The agency, while prioritizing border security, is adapting plans, deploying resources, and working toward maintaining efficient trade and travel operations. The two crossings, and additional crossings as needed, will remain open for longer hours to help alleviate the backlog of rail commerce. This development follows the advocacy of the Ag Transportation Working Group, of which ASA is a member, urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to reopen these critical grain shipment routes. These routes constitute 45 percent of all rail cars moving to and from Mexico. According to the U.S. Soybean Export Council, approximately 70 percent of soybeans exported to Mexico rely on rail transportation. On average, the U.S. exports about 110,000 metric tons of soybeans and 33,100 metric tons of soybean meal per week to Mexico.

JANUARY 2024

A look back at a busy 2023 may offer a peek into a climatic 2024 BY BROOKE S. APPLETON Vice President of Public Policy, National Corn Growers Association How is it possible that we’ve closed the book on 2023? The year flew by. But a lot has happened during the year, and it’s important to take time to reflect on the changes we’ve seen in the nation’s capital city during that time. And that leads us to our annual “Ins and Outs” list. This is our fun, but also serious, end-of-the-year list of what is en vogue and what’s passé. With no further ado, here is the list . . .

The ‘Ins’ The House of Thin Margins – As I write this column, the House has 221 Republicans and 213 Democrats. One vacancy was recently created when former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) was ousted after an ignominious and short tenure in the lower chamber. The small margins have pitted the agendas of more moderate Republicans against the goals of members of the conservative Freedom Caucus. The intensity of the fractured House reached a fever pitch in October when then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was ousted, leading to the speakership of Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.). (The former speaker has since announced that he will retire from Congress in January.) While Speaker Johnson is enjoying somewhat of a grace period, Speaker Johnson is certain to face the same challenges and threats as his predecessor as he navigates a divided caucus with little room for error. The Laddered Approach to Government Funding (aka

INDIANA CORN & SOYBEAN POST

the Step-Stool Approach) – Congress has long struggled to pass the 12 bills that fund the federal government by the Oct. 1 deadline. Lately, Congress has been wrapping these bills into one omnibus package that is typically passed by Christmas time. But a new speaker brings a new approach. In 2023, Speaker Johnson successfully convinced Congress to punt the vote on budget funding to the new year under a bifurcated process in which some funding bills will expire in January and others in February. Whether or not this is a sensible approach is still up for discussion, but at least it kept the government open and federal employees were able to make travel plans for the holidays. Farm Bill Extension – NCGA supported Congress’ decision to extend the reauthorization of the farm bill for one year, but we are nonetheless urging the legislation’s quick passage. While we’re putting this in the “In” column, it hasn’t exactly been “out.” The last time a farm bill was enacted before its end-ofthe-fiscal-year deadline was 2002. In the meantime, NCGA is taking advantage of the extra time to ensure the priorities of corn growers are included in the legislation.

The Outs Precedented Times – We keep thinking we’ve seen it all, but this year brought new twists and turns to Capitol Hill as the House of Representatives went without a speaker for 21 days, a stressful time for our democracy. Mere weeks later, the House of Representatives expelled one of its own members for only the sixth time in history, and only the third since the Civil War. The 2024 presidential election is sure to bring some fascinating dynamics, but for now, we’re

calling it: precedented times are behind us. Timelines – Passing legislation on time appears to now be a relic of the past. We are already months behind in fiscal year 2024 government funding, the national defense authorization bill is behind schedule, and the farm bill reauthorization could be delayed by up to a year. Yet, NCGA continues to work to turn lemons into lemonade by using the extended time wisely and by working to advance some of our key priorities. The good news is that agricultural issues and corn grower-related priorities still tend to bring the two parties together and remain an area of focus among Republicans and Democrats from the Midwest and other areas. We will continue to leverage this goodwill to get things done for growers. The Old Guard – The fall of Rep. McCarthy’s speakership marks the end of the so-called Young-Guns era, a trifecta of young Republicans who showed great

promise during the years former Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) ruled the House. This distinguished group included former Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and former Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.) along with McCarthy. On the Democratic side, Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi’s departure from leadership, along with Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), has hastened a new era of Democratic leadership. This all comes as the country experiences deep political, demographic, and cultural shifts and as the mores of Congress continue to change. The long-term outcome is anyone’s guess. Stay tuned knowing that we work in a bipartisan way to advance your interests. It has certainly been an interesting year that promises many twists and turns during the months and years ahead. We look forward to remaining the constant presence advocating for corn growers. I hope you and yours had a happy holiday season. Until next year . . .

NCGA working to shape the future for America’s corn farmers in 2024 BY HAROLD WOLLE, NCGA President I love this time of year, as it’s filled with family gatherings, enjoying the time-honored Minnesota pastime of ice fishing and planning for the planting season ahead. As president of the National Corn Growers Association, I am also thinking about the advocacy work that is needed to better enable you to plant, grow, harvest and sell your crops. With major agricultural legislation pending in Congress, we have a real opportunity this year to Shape the Future. Here is just a sampling of what we plan to tackle over the next 12 months: Advocating for reauthorization of the Farm Bill. We will work closely with policymakers to ensure that a Farm Bill that includes all the priorities of corn growers is passed this year. Ensuring future ethanol demand. We are working to increase demand for ethanol by securing congressional support for the Next Generation Fuels Act and advocating for the use of ethanol in sustainable aviation fuel.

Promoting free, fair and open trade. We will continue to work to eliminate trade barriers, including with Mexico over biotech corn, while encouraging Congress and the Biden administration to work with us to open and cultivate new markets that would benefit growers. While I am optimistic that we will accomplish these goals, I fully realize that this year presents unique challenges. We will be working with a divided Congress during a heated presidential election year, and narrow margins in the U.S. House of Representatives promise to make the passage of legislation more difficult than years past. That’s why we need you by our side every step of the way. If you haven’t already, please sign up for our advocacy alerts, which will give you an opportunity to stay informed about these issues and weigh in with your congressional representatives on pending legislation or regulatory issues. It is indeed a year with great promise and many challenges. I am confident that, with your help, we can turn any obstacles into opportunities and advance legislation that is important to the nation’s corn growers. Here’s to you and your family. Here’s to a new year. Here’s to corn grower advocacy.

JANUARY 2024

Mrvan: Proud to support the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act BY U.S. REP. FRANK J. MRVAN Democratic Party, Indiana District 1 As the Representative for Indiana’s First Congressional District, I am grateful for the dedicated work and essential contributions of all of the members of our state’s agricultural industry, which supports not just our economy, but the health and well-being of individuals and families throughout our

roads, bridges, and railways. I look forward to continuing to conduct appropriate oversight of the administration’s implementation of these funds so that members of the agricultural industry and our economy receive these benefits as soon as possible. Another item that is frequently part of these discussions is the status of the Farm Bill reauthorization. I am grateful for the leadership of Rep. Jim Baird, my Congressional neighbor to the south of the First District and member of the House Agriculture Committee. nation and the world. I was proud to sign his letter last year to the House I always feel fortunate to be able to spend time with Agriculture Committee, along with all of the other farmers and members of the agricultural community in Members of the Indiana House delegation, that Northwest Indiana, as well as with representatives of the specified our priorities for the Farm Bill reauthorization. Indiana Soybean Alliance and the Indiana Corn Growers Specifically, the letter noted our support for a robust Association, to see their operations and hear about the crop insurance program, with no reductions in premium status of the harvests, cost share, as well as crop prices, and the ensuring that all federal impact of state, local conservation programs and federal policies. remain voluntary and One of the items incentive based. highlighted in these As we proceed in discussions is the the 118th Congress implementation of and the consideration the transformational of the reauthorization federal investments of the farm bill, as included in the well as the funding of bipartisan Infrastructure the Fiscal Year 2024 Investment and Jobs and 2025 Agriculture Act. I was proud to Appropriation bills, I support this historic law look forward to staying in the 117th Congress in touch, completing and appreciate that this work as soon as it is actively funding possible, and doing all needed inland we can to continue to waterway projects and support the invaluable improvements to U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan (D-Dist. 1) talks with farmers in his northwestern work of all members of our transportation the Indiana agricultural Indiana district about issues that could impact agriculture in the Midwest. networks, including community.

INDIANA CORN & SOYBEAN POST

Baird: Promoting Hoosier farm priorities is my goal in Congress BY U.S. REP. JIM BAIRD, Republican Party, Indiana District 4 Greetings fellow Hoosiers. As the only Indiana member on the Agriculture Committee, I’ve made it my mission to ensure that our farmers, ranchers and growers get a fair shake. Hoosiers form the backbone of American agriculture, and our farmers always do better when the government gets off their backs and provides them with the resources they need to keep

farmers have relied on this crucial program when disaster strikes, which is why it’s never been more important to protect it. But we are also working to modernize federal agriculture policy. As Chairman of the Subcommittee for Conservation, Research and Biotechnology, my biggest priorities for this year’s bill include preserving voluntary and incentive-based conservation programs, prioritizing research and cuttingedge technologies for our farmers, and incentivizing innovation by modernizing biotechnology regulations. By addressing these important challenges, we can fight zoonotic diseases, address the shortages of technical service providers, and develop new science-based solutions to food security and safety. I am committed to making Washington understand the needs of Indiana farmers and rural communities nationwide. I will continue fighting to include our state’s priorities in this year’s farm bill and ensure that Hoosiers are never left behind. For more information, please contact my office or visit my website at Baird.House.gov.

feeding our nation. For the past three years, my colleagues and I have hosted listening sessions with rural communities to better understand the current state of American agriculture and discuss their needs. This year, our primary focus is passing the farm bill, a complex and multifaceted undertaking. There is no such thing as a standard farm bill process. In fact, 2018 was the first time in history that the farm bill passed without needing an extension. Despite complications in 2023, Congress extended many farm bill programs until Sept. 30, 2024, to provide stability for our producers. However, this extension does not replace a full reauthorization. From the beginning, we on the Agriculture Committee have been clear about our commitment to passing an effective five-year reauthorization of the farm bill to prevent disruption for farm families. Thankfully, the 2018 Farm Bill was a good piece of legislation. Instead of completely rewriting it, we are working diligently to make revisions that will prepare America for the future of agriculture. As a fellow farmer, one of my biggest priorities for this year’s bill is maintaining a robust federal U.S. Rep. Jim Baird (R-Dist. 4) visits the Tippecanoe County farm of Brent Bible. Baird, who crop insurance program. Hoosier serves on the House Agriculture Committee, often visits farmers in his district.

JANUARY 2024

Chris Cherry elected as ICGA President; new directors attend first board meeting BY DAVE BLOWER JR.

uring its board of directors meeting last week, the Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) elected Chris Cherry, a farmer from New Palestine, Ind., as president of the policy organization for 2024. Other new board officers include Vice President Tyler Everett, Lebanon, Ind.; Secretary J.R. Roesner, Ferdinand, Ind.; and Treasurer Joe Tuholski, LaPorte, Ind. ICGA works with state and federal governments to develop and promote sound policies that benefit Indiana corn farmers. The ICGA consists of nine farmer-directors who provide leadership to the organization on behalf of more than corn farmers statewide. Learn more at www.incornandsoy.org Cherry has served as ICGA vice president, and he is succeeding Scott Smith, a farmer from Windfall, Ind., who has been president for the past two years. Smith is in his second, three-year term and will remain on the ICGA board. Cherry grows corn, soybeans and wheat on his farm in Hancock County. He said ICGA will focus on pressing farm policy issues. “It is an honor to be the ICGA president,” Cherry said. “There are many pressing issues that we need to address this year. Of course, one of the biggest is getting the next federal farm bill adopted. We will do all we can in working with our senators and representatives in Congress from Indiana to help get a bill passed in 2024.” Everett served as the ICGA treasurer last year and said he is pleased to act as the board’s vice president in 2024. He is a third-generation farmer and works with his father to produce corn, soybeans and wheat on their farm in Boone and Hendricks counties. Everett represents District 7 on the ICGA board. ICGA Secretary Roesner and Treasurer Tuholski have

Newly elected ICGA President Chris Cherry and his wife, Cristi, farm in Hancock County near New Palestine, Ind.

Tyler Everett, a farmer from Lebanon, Ind., was elected ICGA vice president for 2024.

INDIANA CORN & SOYBEAN POST

experience on the state’s corn and soybean checkoff boards. Tuholski served for nine years on the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) board from 2011-2019 and was the ISA chair in 2018. Roesner is an Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC) board director and is on the National Corn Growers Association’s Corn Board.

New directors seated ICGA Board Director Tom Murphy, a farmer from Chesterton, Ind., was re-elected to a second term in District 1, which includes Lake, Porter and northwestern LaPorte counties. Alan Dunn, a farmer from Michigantown, Ind., was elected in District 4, which has Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clinton, Hendricks, Jasper, Montgomery, Morgan, Newton, Putnam, Tippecanoe, White, Warren and parts of Cass, Fountain and Howard counties. Dunn takes the post of Mike Beard, who finished his third term in November. “We want to congratulate Alan Dunn and Tom Murphy, but first we’d like to sincerely thank Mike Beard for his nine years as the District 4 representative on the board,” said ICGA CEO Courtney Kingery. “Mike’s service to the ICGA board has been appreciated through the years.” Dunn grows corn and soybeans on his Clinton County farm. A full-time farmer, he earned a degree in marketing from Butler University in 1993 and is a Class 6 graduate of the Indiana AgriInstitute Leadership Program. He serves on the Clinton County Council as the board’s president. “As corn growers, it is not an overstatement to say that we are the operators of the world’s most efficient renewable energy business,” Dunn said. “Using only energy from the sun,

Ferdinand, Ind., farmer J.R. Roesner will serve as the ICGA Board’s secretary this year. Roesner also serves on the National Corn Growers Association’s Corn Board.

Joe Tuholski, a farmer from LaPorte County, was selected as treasurer for the ICGA Board.

left following the death of ICGA Board Director Mike Flock earlier this year. District 9 includes Brown, Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Harrison, Jackson, Johnson, Lawrence, Morgan, Monroe, Orange, Scott and Washington counties. To remain on the board, Pottschmidt will need to seek election in 2024. Pottschmidt started farming in 2015 in Jackson County. He is also a financial ICGA Board Director Tom Alan Dunn, a farmer from New to the board is officer for Farm Credit Mid-America, and Michigantown, Ind., was Murphy, a farmer from Crothersville, Ind., farmer elected in District 4. Dunn he has earned a bachelor’s degree in farm Chesterton, Ind., was Tyler Pottschmidt, grows corn and soybeans management from Purdue University. re-elected to a second who was appointed to on his Clinton County term in District 1 in Pottschmidt grows corn and soybeans District 9. Pottschmidt farm, and he is the started farming in 2015 in northwestern Indiana. in a rotation on his no-till farm that he Clinton County Council’s Jackson County. operates with his father and brother. He board president. also plants cover crops. “I want to promote and encourage innovation for new end uses for corn,” water and a few key elements, our farms create food, fuel Pottschmidt said. “I also hope to see new, innovative ways to and clothing for people around the world. And yet, what we produce a crop.” do is often misunderstood; or worse, mischaracterized. I want Murphy grows amylose corn for Cargill Hammond, and the to work to protect the miracle of modern farming and to help rest of his crops are commercial grain. Murphy also grows soyeducate our customers and partners on the amazing things beans on his farm in Porter, Lake and LaPorte counties. A fullwe have accomplished, and will accomplish, as the industry time farmer, he began farming in 1995. Murphy has also served upon which many others are built.” with the Porter County Soil and Water Conservation District Also new to the board is Crothersville, Ind., farmer Tyler and the Porter County Farm Bureau. Murphy wants to carry the Pottschmidt, who was appointed to the seat in District 9. Pottschmidt will serve the one year remaining on the term concerns of District 1 farmers to state and federal lawmakers.

Take action to help Hoosier farmers Become a lifetime member of Indiana’s corn and soybean policy groups The Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and the Indiana Soybean Alliance’s Membership & Policy Committee (M&P) represent our state’s farmers in the legislative halls in Indianapolis and Washington, D.C. These organizations need your membership to influence federal and state lawmakers. Indiana soybean and corn growers can now save money and eliminate the hassle of annual renewals by purchasing a LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP to both ICGA and M&P. For only $1,700, you can be a member of both ICGA and M&P for life! Anyone interested in buying this membership, should contact Industry Affairs Outreach Manager Khyla Goodman by phone at 317-614-0377 or by email at goodman@indianasoybean.com. Or, you can go to our website, www.indianasoybean.com/ memberships, to join!

Lifetime Members: Phil Ramsey Courtney Kingery Matthew Lucas Tyler Everett David Gottbrath Mike Sprinkle Jeff Troike Jim Douglas Michael Steinbarger

Sam Caldwell Mark Nigh Alan Dunn Mason Gick Aaron Johnson Nathan Luallen Sam Mehringer David Wenning

Mark Wenning Creed Gunn Andrew Fansler Kent Burton Russell Anderson Troy Hattery Mark Bacon Ronald Sutherlin

David Gottbrath, Pekin, Ind., farmer “I became aware of the corn growers back in the early 1980s. Through the years, I’ve had many roles in the organization. I saw the importance of the organization – even more with the addition of the checkoff programs. Getting involved is valuable to any grower, whether corn or soybean. I have learned so much about the barriers we face every day in our industry.”

JANUARY 2024

Smith believes his ICGA service is a way to pay back Indiana agriculture BY EMMA HOPKINS-O’BRIEN

cott Smith may come to the end of his term serving generation as well as their three children, who all have as the Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) names beginning with ‘S.’ president, but he said he is far from ending his Smith said he enjoys all aspects of farming and views involvement with the organization and the leadership it as a lifestyle as well as a profession. He especially experience it brings him. loves its cyclical nature which allows for him to learn “First and foremost, it was an honor to serve as something new each season, year after year. president for ICGA,” “I like the different Smith said. “Meeting seasons and what they and engaging with represent,” Smith said. congressional leaders He enjoys the busy in Washington D.C., time of planting in the supporting policies that spring, taking care of are good for Indiana the crops during the farms and traveling summer, harvesting abroad to promote the crops in the fall, Indiana corn and and in winter carefully soybeans were some of planning and preparing the highlights.” for another year. Scott and his wife, “Through all of Terri, own and operate the busy times, it is Triple S Smith Farms, important to spend Inc. Their farm is quality time with located in Windfall, Ind., family,” Smith said. where they raise corn for ethanol, seed beans Policy is part for Beck’s Hybrids, and of the job processing tomatoes In order to turn the for Red Gold in the wheel of the farming counties of Tipton, Family is important to Scott Smith, at left. Here he poses with his cycle smoothly, Smith Howard and Madison. daughter-in-law, Julie; his son, Shawn; his grandson, A.J., and his wife, believes that farmers The Smiths have Terri. need to work together always worked on elements of the job such as policy, which is why he alongside immediate family and extended family for cares greatly for ICGA and affiliated organizations. almost 50 years. “Faith, Family and Farm” – in that order, is “I learned a lot more about policy, from being a board how we operate our lives and business,” he said. member of IGCA’s 5th District, and serving as president,” Scott met his sweetheart and wife of 48 years, Terri, Smith said. “I would encourage others to become a at Tri-Central High School. Later, they attended Purdue member of ICGA, and to get involved. These policies University, and began their marriage and farming career have a big part in your business.” in 1975. Smith equates education and involvement in the Smith is a third generational family farm, where they industry to the saying “if you’re not at the table, you’re raised three children, Shanna, Shanie and Shawn. The on the menu.” He hopes the organization continues to ‘Triple’ in their farm name represents the farm’s third

INDIANA CORN & SOYBEAN POST

support good policies, developing new uses for corn and expanding export markets. One of his greatest passions involving policy is ethanol and support for year-round E15, which is a blend of 15 percent ethanol with 85 percent petroleum. Situated between two ethanol plants, the corn from his farm all goes into ethanol production. He believes such goals are on the table from the political clout ICGA carries when farmers work together. “Becoming a member of ICGA is the first step in supporting and understanding what great work this organization does for Indiana farmers,” he said. “We are Indiana corn growers working together with ICGA leadership supporting good policies that are beneficial for the agricultural industry.” Smith has always found farm policy interesting, which is why he volunteered for ICGA. He finds value in communicating with Scott and Terri Smith own Triple S Smith Farm in Windfall, Ind. state and federal members of government about the policies that impact family farms. “I was grateful for the opportunity to serve continued to operate with the help of family and friends. as president and also to continue serving as a board Their son, Shawn, works as Creative Lead in the member,” he said. Marketing Department for Beck’s Hybrids. Life has come full circle with a beautiful daughter-in-law, Julie, and their Making it work 14-year-old grandson, A.J. He enjoys spending time at the farm. They believe the farm is a good place for their Terri and Scott’s best crop are their three children. family to do what they want to do in life. There have been times where they have faced personal Smith said, “ICGA and other affiliated organizations are situations that are insurmountable – especially the loss working together supporting Indiana farmers. We feed of their two daughters. During these difficult times, and fuel the world.” they found strength through their faith in God. The farm

As ICGA President, Scott Smith has had the opportunity to discuss ag policy with many state and federal legislators. Here, Smith at the far right, meets with, from left, U.S. Rep. Greg Pence, Indiana farmers Tim Gauck and Jerry Osterholt and ICGA Senior Director of Industry Affairs Steve Howell.

Scott Smith, in the center, enjoys working with and helping Indiana farmers. Here he poses with other farmers at a National Corn Growers Association meeting. These Indiana farmers are, from left, Susan Brocksmith, Tyler Everett, J.R. Roesner, Matthew Lucas, Smith, Jerry Osterholt, David Ring, Mike Beard and Tim Gauck.

JANUARY 2024

Eat bacon, talk with lawmakers at annual Bacon Bar and Brunch at the Statehouse BY DAVE BLOWER JR.

ided by the aroma of fresh bacon wafting through the Indiana Statehouse halls, the Indiana Soybean Alliance Membership & Policy Committee (M&P) and the Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) expect to lure senators and representatives in the Indiana General Assembly to the annual Bacon Bar and Brunch legislative event on Monday, Feb. 5 at the State Capitol. The annual legislative breakfast hosted by ICGA and M&P, known as the Bacon Bar and Brunch, features crispy, flavorful, bacon along with coffee and other breakfast favorites. Lawmakers, legislative staff, farmers, ag stakeholders and more are invited for breakfast food and farm policy conversation from 8-10 a.m. on Feb. 5 at the Indiana Statehouse. “The Bacon Bar and Brunch offers farmers an opportunity to build important relationships with their legislators,” said M&P Chair Joe Stoller, who farms in Bremen, Ind. “These conversations don’t have to be about bill numbers and committee hearings. It is just as important to get to know each other, sharing your knowledge of agriculture or inviting them to your farm. We want each elected official to have a network of farmers they can turn to for advice and expertise.” The soybean and corn policy organization hopes these conversations will encourage lawmakers to “bring home

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb enjoys a plate of bacon during a past Bacon Bar and Brunch legislative breakfast at the Indiana Statehouse.

INDIANA CORN & SOYBEAN POST

the bacon” for farmers during this year’s General Assembly. The Brunch menu includes breakfast items from the beef, dairy and poultry industries. Along with traditional bacon, there will be applewood smoked bacon, turkey bacon, beef bacon, candied bacon and bacon with cracked pepper and rosemary. Other menu items are: Egg Bake with Bacon, Smoked Cheddar Cheese and Caramelized Onions Vegetable Egg Bake with Spinach, Red Peppers, Broccoli and Zucchini Sweet Corn Casserole with Duck Sausage and Maple Syrup Yogurt Parfait Station with Granola and Fresh Berries “By featuring bacon at the legislative breakfast, we are highlighting Indiana’s pork industry, which is a primary customer for Indiana soybean and corn growers,” said ICGA President Chris Cherry, a farmer from Hancock County, Ind. “These breakfast foods are a tangible way for us to communicate why a healthy Indiana livestock sector means healthy Indiana farms and a healthy Indiana economy.” Although the food will be fun, the important work will involve farm policy discussions. “ICGA and M&P closely monitor all potential legislation that may affect farmers’ livelihoods,” said Steve Howell, senior director of industry affairs for M&P and ICGA. “This event allows farmers to engage state lawmakers and share our priorities for the year. Over a plate of bacon, eggs and more, we can have great discussions on ag policy issues facing farmers this year.” The Brunch sponsors include Farm Credit Mid-America, Corteva Agriscience, Indiana Pork, Indiana Beef Cattle Association, Indiana Dairy Producers, Indiana Ethanol Producers Association, Indiana Farm Bureau, Indiana State Poultry Association and Bose Public Affairs Group. For more information about this event, contact Khyla Goodman, Industry Affairs Outreach and Membership Manager for M&P and ICGA, at kgoodman@ indianasoybean.com or 317-677-3137. Go online to www.incornandsoy.org/bacon2024 to register.

• • • •

( YO U ) You’re where the rubber meets the road. And the engine. And the interior. All soybean farmers, including you, are busy replacing petroleum with your soy oil. How? By pooling your resources through your soy checkoff. Learn how your soy checkoff is bringing tangible returns back to you and your operation at unitedsoybean.org/hopper.

JANUARY 2024

CHECKOFF INVESTMENT

Tim Gauck, president of Indiana Corn Marketing Council, and Jim Douglas, a farmer from Flat Rock who recently completed his third term as an Indiana Soybean Alliance board member, look at a package of U.S. beef in Gourmeats, a high-end store in Panama.

Investments in Panama help build markets for Indiana soybean and corn growers BY AMIE SIMPSON

armer leaders with Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) and Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC) participated in a regional project visit Dec. 16-19 in Panama City, Panama. The goal of the trip was to continue building strong relationships with stakeholders in these countries and see how checkoff investments and partnerships help boost markets in areas like Central America. ISA Board Member Brian Warpup, a farmer from Warren, Ind., said it’s important to see firsthand how the checkoff is making an impact for the state’s soybean and corn growers. “I wish every farmer could travel to see what it takes to build these markets and how many relationships are made and have been made in past decades to sell a soybean today from Indiana,” he said.

INDIANA CORN & SOYBEAN POST

“I always say it’s about relationships. It’s about finding the right people and putting them in the right spot for the right opportunity to be able to export more soybeans to make Indiana farmers more profitable due to a higher demand for our product.” ISA and ICMC work with organizations like the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) to accelerate demand for soybeans and corn in all forms. Lucia Ruano, USMEF’s regional representative for Central America and the Dominican Republic, provided the group an update about a mobile grill education program that is supported by ISA and ICMC. USMEF’s Mobile Kitchen and Grill Academy provides educational activities for importers and their customers.

Through workshops in regions of Central America, including Panama, they learn grilling and cooking techniques for high-quality cuts of U.S. pork. “It is only through the support of organizations like Indiana Soybean Alliance and Indiana Corn Marketing Council that we are able to develop these programs and take them to each country in Central America,” she said. “One of our main goals is to teach people how to prepare the meat because the protein is raised differently in these countries compared to the United States and should be prepared differently. It’s important for them to learn how to cook U.S. pork and beef in a way that allows them to perceive the characteristics and quality of the meat.”

Differences in beef Farmers attending were able to see the differences in grassfed Panamanian beef and grain-fed U.S. red meat while touring supermarkets in the country. They visited San Felipe Neri, a traditional market; Riba Smith Supermarket; Pretelt Marbella Restaurant and Butcher Shop; and Gourmeats, a high-end store specializing in meats. While visiting Gourmeats, ISA Board Member and LaGrange, Ind., farmer Carey McKibben said, “They have prime U.S. beef and a lot of choice meat for sale. In all the Latin American countries I’ve been to, this is one of the nicest stores, and the variety of cuts available is phenomenal. This store only features U.S. meat. The quality and consistency of our product is why they’re able to do that, and the consumers here know that and are willing to pay for it, too.” The organizations work with USMEF to develop and grow markets for U.S. red meat. Indiana corn and soybean growers raise the crop used to feed livestock and benefit from increased usage and demand for U.S. pork and beef. “Our beef, pork, chicken — all of our animals eat Indiana corn and soybeans. It’s a way to export value-added products from the U.S. to these markets,” McKibben said. Warpup added, “A lot of our soybean meal goes to livestock feed. If we can get that soybean through an animal and then sell that animal as a finished meat product into another country, it can move more bushels than it would by just selling a barge full of soybeans.”

Aiding poultry exports ICMC and ISA also support programs through the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC). Alejandro Diaz, USAPEEC’s country manager of Colombia, discussed efforts to promote U.S. turkey and duck in Mexico as well as U.S. poultry and egg exports in Colombia. These programs include providing duck seminars, training for foodservice, as well as a turkey campaign geared toward consumers. “It’s important for Indiana farmers to visit and see what

Indiana farmers were able to watch a container ship move through the Panama Canal.

is happening in these markets. It helps them gain a better understanding of building and maintaining relationships with other producers, distributors, retailers, and the final consumer,” he said. Keevin Lemenager is an ISA board member and a farmer from Monrovia, Ind. “The regional project visit was wonderful. Meeting with USAPEEC and seeing all we’ve accomplished in Central America as far as creating demand has been invaluable,” he said. “Indiana row crop farmers benefit from these efforts.”

Farmers visit Panama Canal The group visited the Panama Canal and heard an update about how low water levels have led to a slowdown in the number of ships allowed through each day. The freshwater lake that services the locks in the canal is 81 feet above sea level, which is six feet lower than normal due to drought conditions. In normal conditions, about 40 vessels would travel down the canal each day. Twenty-two vessels are currently traveling through the canal daily. That number will increase to 24 in late January, according to Soy Transportation Coalition (STC) Executive Director Mike Steenhoek.

JANUARY 2024

Indiana Soybean Alliance Board Member Carey McKibben and other farmers were able to see the differences in grassfed Panamanian beef and grain-fed U.S. red meat while touring supermarkets in the country. They visited several locations including Riba Smith Supermarket.

ISA members Brian Warpup and Tom Griffiths and Eric Pfeiffer with Hoosier Ag Today discuss offerings at San Felipe Neri, a traditional market in Panama, with USMEF’s Lucia Ruano.

actually receives at that point of sale,” Steenhoek said. “It’s ISA Member Mike Koehne, who serves on the STC board, also important for people like the officials at the Panama said it’s important for farmers to see and hear about the Canal Authority to be able to meet directly with those issues impacting transportation. farmers who produce so much of the freight that goes “I had the opportunity to take a boat ride through the through the actual canal in the first place.” Panama Canal and got to see firsthand how the locks He added that it will remain critical to maintain a supply work. I heard about how the low water levels are causing chain that can facilitate profitability for farmers. delays and ships are waiting 18-22 days to move through the canal. That affects us farmers as far as our products Supporting USSEC projects being delivered in a timely manner to the end user,” in the region he said. “Containers are usually the No. 1 commodity moving through the Panama Canal and bulk agricultural Farmer leaders also heard from representatives with the commodities are second. So, there are quite a few ships U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC). Leonard Chapula with grain that travel through the canal.” discussed several projects in the Latin American region. The STC had its annual board meeting in Panama City One of the projects, Soybean Oil Masters, aims to promote during its December visit. Steenhoek provided an update the use of soybean oil through educational sessions, events, about the Panama canal to STC and ISA members. trade missions and certification testing. “Farmers need to “It’s a 360-degree understand what program where happens after that crop participants get to is delivered at that see the whole value point of sale, because chain of soybean oil,” so much of this supply he said. “Thanks to chain, whether it’s the the investment from inland waterway system, Indiana Soybean our freight rail system, Alliance, this program our ports, or another started two years ago key link in our supply here in the Americas chain called the Panama region in Colombia. Canal, all of those things We’ve been expanding are very important every year. Last year we and they have a real had participants from profound impact on the Guatemala and Mexico, Pete Olson, the Attache with the Foreign Agricultural Service at the U.S. price that the farmer and this year we’re Embassy of Panama, discussed opportunities for U.S. farmers in Panama.

INDIANA CORN & SOYBEAN POST

“It’s close to home, the regulations are fairly easy to deal with, and Panamanian agriculture and food processors need American ingredients and American -- Pete Olson, Foreign Agricultural Service inputs.” having people from Costa Rica and Jamaica.” The farmers also heard about continued opportunities for high oleic soybean oil and promoting the advantages of U.S. soy soybeans in aquaculture. “I wanted to show the farmers and producers from Indiana where their investments are going and how important their participation in our programs here in the Latin American region is, in my case, for the soybean oil area and human utilization,” Chapula said. “We understand that the market is always evolving and having the support of associations such as the Indiana Soybean Alliance, is key to have our programs keep going in this region and make sure that US soy is top of mind for the customers here in the region.”

Corn ethanol opportunities in Panama A representative with U.S. Grains Council (USGC) provided an update about Indiana-funded programs in Latin America. ICMC supports the Council’s efforts in promoting the use of ethanol and its technical, economic and environmental benefits through training workshops in Latin America. USGC, which works to develop corn and ethanol export markets in more than 50 countries, signed an agreement earlier this year to help grow the ethanol market in Panama. Educational programs have been developed under the agreement to help train new government officials, industry representatives, and refinery employees about the use of ethanol in gasoline blending and the technical, economic, and environmental benefits. ICMC also supports USGC in finding international buyers for ethanol and improving the value of Indiana’s corn crop. Corn farmers benefit from a growing ethanol market as corn is the primary feedstock in U.S. ethanol. ISA Biofuels Director Helena Jette said it is a positive step and education will help promote ethanol use. “We’re lucky we live in a country that has fuel with 10 percent ethanol widely available,” she said. “Some countries have zero and that’s why our organization supports programs like this in other countries.” Tim Gauck, president of ICMC, says it provides opportunities for Indiana corn farmers. “We heard about biofuels legislation that includes an ethanol blending mandate requiring gasoline to contain at least five percent ethanol. That will be a market for some of our ethanol in Panama,” he said. “Educational programs will help increase awareness on the benefits of ethanol.”

A ship carrying containers prepares to move through the Miraflores Locks.

Gauck says it was beneficial to hear about several projects in Central America that benefit corn farmers including education about cuts of U.S. meat, the quality of U.S. grain, and more.

Other opportunities in Panama Pete Olson, the Attache with the Foreign Agricultural Service at the U.S. Embassy of Panama, told the Hoosier farmers that Panama is a $1 billion market for U.S. food and agricultural products. “It’s close to home, the regulations are fairly easy to deal with, and Panamanian agriculture and food processors need American ingredients and American inputs,” Olson explained. “They have a long history of very strong relationships with U.S. suppliers so it’s a great place to do business. I think it’s important for farmers to come down and see the results of that work.” He said there are many opportunities for American farmers.

JANUARY 2024

CHECKOFF INVESTMENT

A container ship prepares to travel through the Panama Canal.

Panama Canal remains a critical supply chain link under stress BY MIKE STEENHOEK Executive Director, Soy Transportation Coalition

or farmers to be effective advocates on issues of importance to agriculture, they must first understand these issues. Arguably, nothing enhances understanding than seeing the issue with your own eyes. It was for this very reason that the Soy Transportation Coalition had its annual meeting in Panama on Dec. 17-20, 2023. Established in 2007, the Soy Transportation Coalition (STC) is comprised of the Indiana Soybean Alliance, 13 additional state soybean boards, the American Soybean Association and the United Soybean Board. The STC exists to promote a more cost-effective and reliable transportation system for U.S. soybean farmers. The organization is actively engaged in enhancing rural roads and bridges, highways and interstates, freight rail, inland waterways and ports. Indiana soybean farmers Mike Koehne, of Greensburg C.J. Chalfant, of Hartford City, and Phil Ramsey of

INDIANA CORN & SOYBEAN POST

Shelbyville, serve on the STC board. Koehne currently serves as secretary-treasurer.

A critical supply chain link The Panama Canal is a critical link in the supply chain for U.S. soybeans and grain – facilitating a significant volume of exports originating from the Gulf of Mexico to be shipped to customers in Asia. In 2022, approximately 600 million bushels of U.S. soybeans transited the canal. During the STC board meeting, the group toured the Panama Canal on both the Atlantic and Pacific sides. Given the 50-mile width of the isthmus, Panama is one of the most unique places in the world in which one can travel by automobile between the two oceans in less than 90 minutes. The group also received an update from the Panama Canal Authority on the impact of the drought conditions on navigation. Since the Panama Canal is not a sea level canal

Ag exporters seek other options

Indiana soybean farmers Mike Koehne of Greensburg, C.J. Chalfant of Hartford City, and Phil Ramsey of Shelbyville serve on the Soy Transportation Coalition board, with Koehne currently serving as secretary-treasurer.

and instead utilizes locks, the operation of the canal is a function of available precipitation that occurs to fill Gatun Lake – the reservoir that feeds fresh water to the canal locks. Every time either the original 1914 “Panamax” locks or the expanded 2016 “Neopanamax” locks allow a ship passage, approximately 50 million gallons of water exit the lock chamber to eventually join with the Atlantic or Pacific oceans. Without an abundance of fresh water, the Panama Canal cannot operate. To mitigate the impact of the drought, the Panama Canal Authority is having to resort to water-saving measures. The two main methods of conserving water at the Panama Canal are: Reduce the draft available for ships when transiting Limit the number of transits The “Neopanamax” locks continue to have a draft restriction of 44 feet from the normal 50 feet. Larger, heavier ships displace more water. By limiting the draft in the “Neopanamax” locks, the canal is limiting the number of larger vessels normally able to utilize the canal. Container vessels, LNG vessels and cruise ships largely utilize the “Neopanamax” locks. Dry bulk vessels – including soybeans and grain – continue to overwhelmingly utilize the original 1914 “Panamax” locks. The regular draft of 39.5 feet has been maintained for the “Panamax” locks. The Panama Canal unfortunately has had to resort to significant reductions in daily transits. While the Panama Canal Authority has been able to moderately increase the number of transits daily from 22 to 24, this is still considerably lower than the normal 36-40 transits per day.

Due to the limitations at the Panama Canal, agricultural exporters have had to resort to other options, including the Suez Canal, around the southern tip of Africa at the Cape of Good Hope, or railing shipments to the West Coast. According to the USDA, it is 9,141 nautical miles from the Mississippi Gulf to Japan via the Panama Canal, 14,401 nautical miles from the Mississippi Gulf to Japan via the Suez Canal, and 15,637 nautical miles from the Mississippi Gulf to Japan around the southern tip of Africa. Having to forego the Panama Canal will add considerable expense and time. The Suez Canal and Cape of Good Hope routes add at least 14 days to the journey for soybean exports. Recent terrorist attacks on ocean vessels in the Red Sea have caused exporters to reconsider the Suez Canal route. For soybeans grown west of the Mississippi River – particularly in the Plains States – railing to the Pacific Northwest (PNW) is usually the most economical option. However, soybean exporters are having to resort to expanding that geographic area utilizing rail serve to the PNW due to the challenges at the Panama Canal. This will usually involve additional costs, as well. The world’s oceans are vast and expansive, but there are many critical junctures that, under normal circumstances, greatly facilitate global commerce. However, when these essential links in the supply chain, like the Panama Canal, are under stress, the ability of farmers and others to connect with their international customers becomes a challenge. It is important for soybean farmers to understand and be effective advocates for these issues of great importance to U.S. agriculture.

• •

Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition, and Mike Koehne at the Agua Clara Visitor Center at the Panama Canal.

JANUARY 2024

CHECKOFF INVESTMENT

Pork exports to Mexico, Central America set record pace in 2023

gastronomy through the U.S. Pork Truck,” said ork exports were strong in 2023 with USMEF Director for Mexico and Central America leading market Mexico setting a record Gerardo Rodriguez. in just 11 months. January through “These people can send information November exports of U.S. pork to Mexico downstream through their establishments – in surpassed the annual record set in 2022, with the restaurants and in their hotels – so the more volume increasing 13 percent year-over-year information we can provide them and the more to 995,534 metric tons (mt), while value was 15 engaged that we can make them, the easier it is for us. percent higher at $2.12 billion. (Full year data will be And it is not just a matter of price. Once you understand released in February.) the quality, the consistency and the benefit for your That demand for U.S. pork in Mexico is particularly restaurant, price is not going to be the main driver.” impressive because of increased competition in the Members of the Indiana Soybean Alliance recently market during the past two years. Since mid-2021, got a firsthand look at the surging U.S. pork demand in Mexico has granted zero-duty access to all eligible suppliers, a policy that has been extended through 2024. Central America with a daylong market visit in Panama City, Panama. USMEF Central America Representative U.S. pork already enjoyed duty-free access courtesy Lucia Ruano and USDA Agricultural Attaché Pete Olson of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), so shared a market overview before leading the group on the tariff elimination mainly benefited European and a tour of traditional markets, Brazilian pork, though pork where most local production is imports from Brazil have sold, and modern retail outlets been suspended since late featuring U.S. pork products. November due to a court The group also visited with challenge to Mexico’s import a family-owned importer who procedures. Even with new distributes U.S. meat cuts players in the arena, the U.S. and value-added products to share of Mexico’s imported hotels, restaurants, butcher pork market increased in 2023, shops and upscale retail reaching 84 percent. outlets in the region. The story is similar in Central The strength in pork exports America, led by growth in appears poised to continue Honduras, Guatemala and El well into 2024, providing Salvador. Through the first 11 support at a crucial time for months of 2023, pork exports the industry. Pork exports to Central America increased Jim Douglas, a former chair of the Indiana Soybean in 2023 created a record 15 percent to 119,348 mt at Alliance and a United Soybean Board director, holds per head slaughtered value a value of $352.4 million, an a value-added U.S. pork product at a supermarket of $63.12, up 4 percent increase of 20 percent. promotion in Panama City, Panama. from the previous year. The region is seeing rapid Exports accounted for nearly 30 percent of all growth in demand for quality protein in both foodservice and retail, and U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) staff production last year. Alongside partners like the Indiana Soybean is working with partners to expand the availability and Alliance, USMEF staff are working to not only build use of U.S. pork to meet that demand. knowledge of U.S. pork but also expand the number “We have been working with more than 800 decision of suppliers in the region to provide a strong structure makers around Mexico in order to work with them for continued demand for the quality U.S. product. and introduce new options that they can use in their

INDIANA CORN & SOYBEAN POST

unitedsoybean.org

HELPING YOU DELIVER ON DEMAND

Whether it’s improving soybean meal to outperform the competition or promoting the sustainability of U.S. soy, the soy checkoff has been working behind the scenes to help farmers satisfy their customers’ needs. We’re looking inside the bean, beyond the bushel and around the world to keep preference for U.S. soy strong. And for U.S. soybean farmers like you, the impact is invaluable. See more ways the soy checkoff is maximizing profit opportunities for farmers at unitedsoybean.org

The event also included a tour of World Energy. Attendees hear more about how World Energy’s Paramount facility is undergoing an expansion to produce 350 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel a year by 2025.

JANUARY 2024

CHECKOFF INVESTMENT

ISA Board Member Mike Koehne, Ohio Soybean Council Chairman Jeff Magyar, and American Soybean Association President Daryl Cates spoke on a panel moderated by Rosalind Leeck with the U.S. Soybean Export Council.

ISA participates in U.S. Soy Buyers Outlook Conference in Japan and Korea BY AMIE SIMPSON

ecatur County Farmer Mike Koehne, with the Indiana Soybean Alliance, promoted the benefits of U.S. soybeans to buyers in Japan and Korea. The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) hosted the 2023 U.S. Soy Buyers Outlook Conference Nov. 14-15 in Tokyo, Japan and Nov. 16-17 in Seoul, Korea. Hundreds of crushers, feed millers, soy food processors, and soybean buyers participated in the conferences. Koehne raises high oleic and food-grade soybeans, some of which are shipped to Japan. He was one of three U.S. farmers who attended the conference and spoke on a panel about harvest expectations, the quality of U.S. soybeans, sustainability and conservation practices used on the farm, and the benefits of soy protein. American Soybean Association President Daryl Cates, a farmer from Illinois, and Ohio Soybean Council Chairman Jeff Magyar also participated. Koehne said there was strong interest in food-grade soybeans. “Buyers wanted to know what we do on our farm to ensure there is a quality crop, and there were also some questions about premiums. I told them that food safety

INDIANA CORN & SOYBEAN POST

starts on our farms, and we go above and beyond to ensure that we deliver a safe and quality product,” he said. “IOM Grain ships some of my soybeans to Japan, and I was able to talk to someone who buys food-grade soybeans from IOM Grain in Japan. That buyer may have purchased some of my soybeans, and the conference gave us an opportunity to make an important connection.” USSEC said soy is an integral part of Asian cultural and culinary heritage, and the U.S. Soy industry is working to deliver high-quality, sustainable, affordable soybeans to meet current and growing future demand in those markets.

Japan, Korea are top importers Koehne said it’s critical to maintain these markets and relationships as Japan and Korea are some of the top importers of U.S. non-GMO, food grade soybeans. A firstgeneration farmer, Koehne said checkoff investments help make it possible. “We’ve been doing business with these countries for a long time and taking time to travel to these locations shows that we want to continue to do business with them,” he said. “The Indiana Soybean Alliance goes on trips like

this to make connections, maintain relationships and ensure that we’re keeping up with their needs of delivering a safe and quality product. ISA invests checkoff dollars on trade and moving that pile, and I believe it makes a difference. We’re investing back into ourselves on these trips and, in my opinion, it’s money well spent.” This is the first time that ISA has participated in the U.S. Soy Buyers Outlook Conference. Ed Ebert, senior director of market development for the soy checkoff, explained it was valuable experience with good communication between USSEC staff, U.S. farmers, and Japanese and Korean customers. “Buyers in those countries were reassured that the U.S. soybean supply is adequate with good performance and yields despite some weather challenges. It also gives them confidence to be able to talk with the farmers involved in the production of the food they’re shipped. It helps develop and maintain trust among the buyers of U.S. soybeans,” Ebert said. “It’s important to maintain access to these markets and build trust because we have strong competitors from South America that are also trying to get their business. Taking the time to share our story and the important work of soybean growers is an important part of differentiating our products.”

Hoosier company in Japan Pence Group, a Lafayette, Ind.-based agriculture company, was at the conference in Japan to help develop global opportunities for non-GMO soybeans. District Sales Manager Grant Fausset said it was a great opportunity to meet soybean buyers in the northeast Asia market. “There is a huge demand for non-GMO, foodgrade soybeans worldwide, and the supplies have a hard time keeping up with that (demand),” he said. “As somebody who is new to the market, it’s exciting to see how we can most benefit growers and connect those There was a lot of interest in high oleic markets with the soybeans during the U.S. Soy Buyers help of partners Outlook Conference. High oleic soybean like the Indiana oil contains beneficial monosaturated Soybean Alliance.” fatty acids and less saturated fats and Founder Paul can handle high cooking temperatures Pence said Indiana for long periods of time.

Indiana Soybean Alliance Board Member Mike Koehne, a farmer from Greensburg, participated in the conference in Tokyo, Japan and Seoul, Korea.

farmers are lucky to have an organization like ISA. “I would guess that the average Indiana farmer probably doesn’t understand how beneficial it is to have an organization travel and represent their products to the world like ISA does,” he said. Pence Group serves producers and agribusinesses with seed, seed processing, farm drainage and custom hauling solutions. Pence said the company is grower-minded and seeks to add value to Indiana farms. “We treasure the opportunity to be able to work with growers, landowners, and farm managers. We’re humbled to be in this space,” he said. The Redwood Group, which has ties to southern Indiana, participated in both the Japan and Korea conferences. The Redwood Group is a diversified commodities company that specializes in customized supply chain solutions, food and feed ingredient supply, energy and energy input supply and grain merchandising. Other speakers were Will McNair, USSEC director of human protein and oil, and Seth Neave, a soybean agronomist at the University of Minnesota and an associate professor in Agronomy and Plant Genetics. McNair provided a non-GMO crop update and Neave discussed the quality of the U.S. soybean crop. Ebert added there was widespread interest in high oleic soybeans. “The meeting and ISA partnerships helped garner interest from Korean buyers in importing U.S. high oleic soybean oil,” he said. Indiana leads the world in high oleic soybean acres. According to the United Soybean Board, high oleic soybeans are grown in 13 states throughout the U.S. soybean belt with the vast majority of acres in Indiana and Ohio. Indiana farmers grew high oleic soybeans on an estimated 850,000 acres in 2023.

JANUARY 2024

CHECKOFF INVESTMENT

U.S. soy crop quality key to providing value to customers BY COLBY PINKSTONE, Senior Director of Strategic Programs U.S. Soybean Export Council

lesser extent than the other “I” states. As a result, the 5.83 onsistency and reliability matter to global U.S. Soy million acres of soybeans harvested in Indiana in 2023 customers. As Indiana farmers prepare to plant their remained in better condition than the national average 2024 crop, it is useful to review the quality of the crop throughout the season. Most Indiana soybeans contained harvested in 2023 and being delivered to customers now. oil content higher than the 10-year national average, while Based on the 2023 U.S. Soy Crop Quality Report, U.S. Soy protein was consistently below the 10-year average. customers can expect increased protein and oil yields per ton, consistent soluble sugar and essential amino acids, and Translating quality to customer value minimal total damage. Seth Naeve, professor of agronomy and plant genetics at the University of Minnesota, develops Why does soybean composition matter when farmers get this report annually from hundreds of individual soybean paid by the bushel? samples and soy checkoff support. It dives For customers, the value of soybeans into the details of the variations of the crop comes from their components. Keeping their and how those variations affect soy quality. specific needs in mind and managing the Many factors, including weather, crop to meet those needs increases their geography, growing and harvest conditions, willingness to purchase U.S. Soy next season. impact soybean quality and composition, Soybean quality encompasses various making characteristics vary from year to year. factors, including suitability for various end Nationally, 2023 produced a mixed bag for uses, such as animal feed or oil extraction. The soybeans, due to persistent drought in some U.S. Soy Crop Quality Report 2023 explores areas. Soybeans were drier than usual in factors like consistency of soluble sugar and many areas, leading to increased protein and essential amino acids, paired with minimal Tom D’Alfonso oil yields per ton. total damage to illustrate the superior quality Despite challenges, farmers still produced a high quality, and reliability of U.S. Soy production. For example, the sustainable soybean crop, maintaining the value of U.S. soybean oil market focuses on free fatty acid content, while Soy. The natural dry-down of U.S. soybeans also minimizes the feed industry needs energy and protein. damage and increases sustainability. Soy food manufacturers consider seed color, damage Experts are describing and other physical 2023 as an “oil year” in characteristics. soybean production. “Current soybean The national average quality assessments oil content was 19.6 predominantly center percent, .3 percent around crude protein. above the 10-year However, a paradigm average. At the same shift is imperative,” said time, protein content Tom D’Alfonso Ph.D., measured 33.7 percent, director of animal and about .5 percent aquaculture for USSEC. lower than the 10-year “The evaluation scope average. needs to be broadened Indiana experienced to encompass the Because Indiana experienced less intense drought conditions than the some of those drought complete nutrient other “I” states (Iowa and Illinois), the soybean crop remained in better conditions, but to a bundle, integrating condition than the national average throughout the 2023 growing season.

INDIANA CORN & SOYBEAN POST

amino acids and digestibility, along with factors like sucrose and energy content. This holistic approach is essential for showcasing the true quality that translates into substantial feed cost savings.”

Implications for 2024 The report maps allow farmers to see the quality of soybeans from their area and consider how that applies to their end markets. For those raising high oleic soybeans, oil content and quality is key. Likewise, those who know their soybeans primarily feed livestock focus on trends in protein and essential amino acid content. For those selling to the export market, both protein and oil matter. The Crop Quality Report also builds understanding of how weather affects soybean composition. The regions of the U.S. with the biggest increase in protein plus oil content over the 10-year average also had the most drought. Winter precipitation is replenishing soil moisture, but farmers should consider how conditions at planting and throughout the season could be impacting not just yield, but quality for their customers. Agronomic practices tied to soil health, like reduced- or no-till and cover crops, influence water holding capacity and nutrient availability, which influence soybean seed composition, size, weight and more. The ability and willingness of U.S. Soy and Indiana farmers to use this type of information to adapt, innovate

Crop Quality Report maps like this show how soybean content compares to the 10-year average. This map shows the difference in the total of protein plus oil content from the 10-year average. While Indiana was average to just below average, the regions with the biggest increase in protein plus oil content over the 10year average also had the most drought.

and improve soybean production even through adverse conditions demonstrates the industry’s reliability. And, it’s part of the reason customers around the world rely on them to supply high-quality soy that delivers nutrition, food security and sustainability for future generations.

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USGC boosts bioethanol benefit awareness at Global Ethanol Summit BY USGC STAFF

programs at the Council’s Feed Training .S. Grains Council (USGC) leaders Center in Tunis, Tunisia to see how they closed out a successful year apply those lessons to improve their with a trip to Senegal last month business practices. to examine the results of recent training and market The group then met with feed industry representatives development programs the Council sponsored during who had also attended training courses with the Council the past five years to learn more about the local that now import U.S. distiller’s dried grains with solubles agricultural industry and relevant domestic policies and (DDGS) as a result. understand how the Council can continue to support The visit concluded with discussions with the economic growth in the region. Senegalese Ministry USGC Past Chairman of Livestock to gain a and Indiana farmer different perspective on Josh Miller joined the agriculture industry’s USGC Chairman Brent needs to support the Boydston; USGC Vice region’s rapid growth and Chairwoman Verity what the Council and its Ulibarri; USGC Secretarycollaborators can provide Treasurer Mark Wilson; as the Council prepares to USGC President and ramp up its programming CEO Ryan LeGrand; in West Africa during the USGC Senior Director of next five years. Global Strategies Kurt “I really appreciate the Shultz; USGC Director diverse group of industry in Europe, the Middle stakeholders we were East and Africa (EMEA) able to speak with during Ramy Taieb and USGC our time here, from Deputy Directors in From left, USGC Vice Chairwoman Verity Ulibarri; USGC Chairman individual farmers all the EMEA Mohamed Salah Brent Boydston; USGC Director in Europe, the Middle East and Africa way up to government Bouthour and Ana Maria Ramy Taieb; and USGC Past Chairman Josh Miller examine animal officials,” Boydston said. Ballesteros. feed product at a mill in Dakar, Senegal. “This ensures that the “My experiences on Council sees the full picture in this market and can tailor the Council’s board over the past few years have opened its work to assist each working part of the Senegalese my eyes to the truly global scale of the agriculture agricultural industry.” industry,” Miller said. “Developing meaningful business The USGC develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, relationships with international buyers and producers sorghum and related products including distiller’s dried builds long-term markets that delivers high-quality grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol. With full-time resources to consumers and increases profits for U.S. presence in 28 locations, the Council operates programs farmers in Indiana and beyond.” in more than 50 countries and the European Union. The The delegation met with USDA officials, domestic Council believes exports are vital to global economic feed producers and poultry farmers in Dakar to better development and to U.S. agriculture’s profitability. understand their working practices and the demands of Detailed information about the Council and its the Senegalese market. The team then visited several programs is online at www.grains.org poultry producers who previously participated training

INDIANA CORN & SOYBEAN POST

Funded with Indiana corn checkoff d

Greensburg’s Gauck selected to lead Indiana’s corn checkoff board in 2024 BY DAVE BLOWER JR.

reensburg, Ind., farmer Tim Gauck is the new president of the Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC), the state’s corn checkoff program. Expanding the availability of higher blends of ethanol and exporting Indiana-grown corn to new markets around the world are among ICMC’s priorities, Gauck said. “Indiana’s corn checkoff program is not very old. It’s only been around for 16 years, but I believe it has accomplished many things that have benefitted Hoosier corn growers,” Gauck said. “Probably one of the biggest benefits has been the expansion of our ethanol industry in Indiana. We now have 15 ethanol plants that consume more than 40 percent of our annual corn crop. Those ethanol plants pay a premium for our corn, creating competition for other buyers and making our crops more valuable.” Gauck succeeds Roachdale, Ind., farmer Paul Hodgen, who will remain on the ICMC board. Gauck grows corn, soybeans and wheat on his farm in rural Decatur and Rush counties. He started farming in Greensburg, Ind., farmer 1972, and he was first elected to the ICMC board in Tim Gauck is the new ICMC 2017. Gauck, along with Knox County farmer Susan president. Gauck grows Brocksmith, were re-elected as at-large voting corn, soybeans and wheat members to the board during an election in 2023. Aton his farm in rural Decatur large candidates are elected by farmers across Indiana. and Rush counties. Brocksmith was named as the board’s treasurer for 2024. In 2023, she was the chair of ICMC’s Market Development Committee. Brocksmith and her husband, Mike, grow non-GMO corn and soybeans on their no-till farm near Vincennes, Ind. Off the farm, she is Dean of the College of Business and Public Service at Vincennes University.

Brownstown, Ind., farmer Matthew Lucas was elected as ICMC vice president. He grows corn and soybeans in a partnership with his father, James, on their farm in Jackson County.

Other ICMC officers Other elected ICMC board officers include Brownstown, Ind., farmer Matthew Lucas as vice president; Warren, Ind., farmer Janis Highley as treasurer; Ferdinand, Ind., farmer J.R. Roesner as chair of the Market Development Committee; and Noblesville, Ind., farmer Adam Sheller as chair of the Sustainability and Value Creation Committee. Lucas represents District 8 on the board, which includes the counties of Brown,

Selected as ICMC treasurer was Janis Highley, a farmer from Warren, Ind. Highley is the third generation to grow corn and soybeans on her farm in Huntington County.

“Indiana’s corn checkoff program is not very old. It’s only been around for 16 years, but I believe it has accomplished many things that have benefitted -- Tim Gauck, ICMC president Hoosier corn growers.”

JANUARY 2024

Knox County farmer Susan Brocksmith was re-elected as an at-large voting member to the board during an election in 2023. Brocksmith was named as the board’s treasurer.

Crawford, Floyd, Harrison, Jackson, Lawrence, Monroe, Orange, Perry and Washington. This year, Lucas was the chair of ICMC’s Sustainability and Value Creation Committee. He grows corn and soybeans in a partnership with his father, James, on their farm in Jackson County. They are also contract swine producers. Lucas earned a degree in agribusiness from Purdue University in 2020. Highley is the third generation to grow corn and soybeans on her farm in Huntington County. Highley earned a degree in business administration and management from Huntington University. She has been involved in the National Corn Growers Association’s (NCGA) Women and Mentors Program. Highley was recently elected second vice president of the Indiana Farm Bureau. On the ICMC board since 2017, Roesner was also elected to NCGA’s Corn Board in 2022. He grows corn and soybeans on his farm that touches Dubois, Pike, Spencer and Warrick counties. He represents the District 7 counties of Sullivan, Greene, Daviess, Martin, Knox, Dubois, Pike, Gibson, Warrick, Spencer, Vanderburgh and Posey. Roesner earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University. Sheller grows corn and soybeans, and also raises goats and beef cattle, on his Hamilton County farm. A farmer since 2016, he has a degree in agricultural education from Purdue University. Sheller has an off-farm job in insurance sales, and he also works at the county level with Indiana Farm Bureau. Sheller helped with market development efforts earlier by hosting several foreign trade teams on his farm.

Three directors re-elected

Ferdinand, Ind., farmer J.R. Roesner was named chair of the Market Development Committee. He grows corn and soybeans on his farm that touches Dubois, Pike, Spencer and Warrick counties.

Noblesville, Ind., farmer Adam Sheller is the chair of the Sustainability and Value Creation Committee. He grows corn and soybeans, and also raises goats and beef cattle, on his Hamilton County farm.

Three incumbent ICMC directors were re-elected to the board this year for three-year terms. They are Jerry Osterholt of Roanoke, Ind., Ron Hensley of Daleville, Ind., and John Adam, Jr. of Sellersburg, Ind. Osterholt represents District 3, which includes the counties of LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, DeKalb, Whitley, Allen, Huntington, Wells and Adams. He grows corn and soybeans along with his wife, Deb, on Osterholt Farms in Huntington and Allen counties. A first-generation farmer, Osterholt started farming in 1974. He worked in machine repair for 35 years with Dana Corp. Osterholt has also served with the Indiana Soybean Alliance and Indiana Farm Bureau. Hensley is the District 6 representative and serves Blackford, Jay, Delaware, Henry, Randolph, Wayne, Fayette and Union counties. A full-time farmer, he started farming in 1975. Hensley and his wife, Teresa, grow corn and soybeans on his farm in Delaware and Madison counties. He was appointed to the board in 2022. He is retired from AT&T and has also served as member of the Delaware County Wastewater board. Adam, Jr. has represented District 9 since 2017. District 9 includes Franklin, Jennings, Jefferson, Ripley, Dearborn, Ohio, Clark, Switzerland and Scott counties. He grows corn, soybeans and alfalfa hay on his farm in Clark and Floyd counties. In addition to the crops, Adam, Jr. also owns a cow-calf operation. A full-time farmer, he owns J and S Farm along with his wife, Sheryl. ICMC was established in 2007 by the Indiana General Assembly to promote the interests of corn growers in the state and to manage corn checkoff funds. The ICMC board is composed of 17 voting directors who guide investments of corn checkoff funds on behalf of more than 20,000 Indiana corn farmers. The corn checkoff works to assist corn farmers through its strategic initiatives of market development; environmental, social and economic sustainability; value creation and producer engagement. Learn more at www.incornandsoy.org

INDIANA CORN & SOYBEAN POST

Funded with Indiana corn checkoff

Cox selected as ISA chair; Eck and Wenning elected as board directors BY DAVE BLOWER JR.

eveloping overseas markets, creating new products and boosting availability of items such as biodiesel are a few of the goals for the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA), the state’s soybean checkoff program. At its recent winter meeting, the ISA Board of Directors elected Kevin Cox, a farmer from Brazil, Ind., as its new board chair. “We are living in a special time in agriculture,” Cox explained. “Even in challenging weather conditions, we are producing record or near-record yields of soybean crops. As the state’s checkoff representing thousands of Indiana farmers, our challenge is to make sure that we can keep the value of those crops at a high level. I believe we are doing that. By working with companies from all over the world that buy soybeans, or by encouraging farmers to plant crops like high oleic soybeans that come with premium prices, we are working to make Indiana soybean farms more profitable.” Cox takes over ISA leadership from Greensburg, Ind., farmer Mike Koehne, who was the chair for 2023. Cox grows At its winter meeting, the ISA soybeans and corn on his farm in Parke, Putnam and Clay The board’s new treasurer is Board of Directors elected counties. He has farmed since 1982 and also owns TST Carey McKibben, a farmer Kevin Cox, a farmer from Trucking, LLC. Representing District 3, Cox was elected to from LaGrange, Ind. Brazil, Ind., as its new board the ISA board in 2018. He was the board’s vice chair in 2023. chair. Cox grows soybeans Denise Scarborough, a farmer from LaCrosse, Ind., was and corn on his farm in Parke, elected as vice chair. For the past two years, Scarborough Putnam and Clay counties. has been the chair of ISA’s Sustainability and Value Creation Committee. Keevin Lemenager is the board’s new secretary. Last year, he was the chair of the Membership and Policy Committee. The board’s new treasurer is Carey McKibben, a farmer from LaGrange, Ind. In 2023, McKibben led ISA’s Market Development Committee. The 2024 leader of the Membership and Policy Committee is Joe Stoller, a farmer from Bremen, Ind. Last year, Stoller was the board’s secretary. Two ISA Board directors are new to leadership positions. Brian Warpup, a farmer from Keevin Lemenager is the Warren, Ind., will lead the Sustainability and Value Creation board’s new secretary. Denise Scarborough, a Committee, and Steve Phares, a farmer from Albion, Ind., is farmer from LaCrosse, Ind., the new chair of ISA’s Market Development Committee. was elected as vice chair.

“We are living in a special time in agriculture. Even in challenging weather conditions, we are producing record or near-record yields of soybean crops.” -- Kevin Cox, ISA board chair

JANUARY 2024

Steve Phares, a farmer from Albion, Ind., is the new chair of ISA’s Market Development Committee.

Brian Warpup, a farmer from Warren, Ind., will lead the Sustainability and Value Creation Committee.

Two new ISA directors elected Chris Eck of Boggstown, Ind., and Roger Wenning of Greensburg, Ind., are newly elected as District 4 directors to the ISA board. District 4 includes the counties of Bartholomew, Boone, Brown, Clark, Crawford, Dearborn, Decatur, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, Harrison, Hendricks, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Johnson, Lawrence, Marion, Monroe, Morgan, Ohio, Orange, Perry, Ripley, Rush, Scott, Shelby, Switzerland, Union and Washington. Eck and Wenning were elected to replace two directors who termed off the board in November. Those directors are Jim Douglas of Flat Rock, Ind., and Anngie Steinbarger of Edinburgh, Ind. ISA CEO Courtney Kingery greeted the new board members and thanked the retiring directors. “We want to congratulate the new board members, but first we’d like to sincerely thank those Board members who completed their third terms in November,” Kingery said. “Thank you to Jim and Anngie for your dedication and commitment to the board all these years. I have learned so much from you – thank you for the counsel and wisdom you’ve shared with me.” Eck grows soybeans, corn, seed corn and wheat on his family farm in Shelby County. A farmer since 1988, he also owns trucking, custom application and detasseling businesses. Eck earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from Purdue University. “I plan to help the Indiana Soybean Alliance to expand markets and create markets for the future,” he said. “The goal is to expand profitable markets for soybean crops that benefit all growers. I want to help use checkoff dollars in the most efficient ways to develop relationships that result in higher soybean prices.” Wenning raises soybeans, corn, wheat and alfalfa on his farm in Decatur, Franklin and Ripley counties. He also has cattle and owns Wenning Excavating and Drainage. Wenning has served on boards with the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation

INDIANA CORN & SOYBEAN POST

Roger Wenning, left, and Chris Eck, right, are the newly elected ISA directors from District 4. Wenning is a farmer from Greensburg, Ind., and Eck is a soybean grower from Boggstown, Ind

Districts (IASWCD) and the National Association of Conservation Districts. “As my many years of service to the IASWCD winds down, I’m looking forward another good organization to get involved with. I would like to expand exports by making U.S. soybeans the soybeans of choice for buyers.”

Several incumbents re-elected All other board elections were won by incumbents. In District 1, Scarborough and Brookston, Ind., farmer Kevin Kelley were re-elected. District 1 includes Benton, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Elkhart, Fulton, Howard, Jasper, Kosciusko, LaPorte, Lake, Marshall, Miami, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, St. Joseph, Starke, Tipton, Wabash and White counties. Phares and Hartford City, Ind., farmer C.J. Chalfant were re-elected to District 2. The counties of Adams, Allen, Blackford, DeKalb, Delaware, Grant, Henry, Huntington, Jay, LaGrange, Madison, Noble, Randolph, Steuben, Wayne, Wells and Whitley make up District 2. In District 3, Coatesville, Ind., farmer Mark Legan and Richland, Ind., farmer Derika Lynam-Spaetti were re-elected. District 3 includes the counties of Clay, Daviess, Dubois, Fountain, Gibson, Greene, Knox, Martin, Montgomery, Owen, Parke, Pike, Posey, Putnam, Spencer, Sullivan, Tippecanoe, Vanderburgh, Vermillion, Vigo, Warren and Warrick. ISA works to enhance the viability of Indiana soybean farmers through the effective and efficient investment of soybean checkoff funds that protect and promote the interest of Indiana soybean farmers. ISA works to assist soybean farmers through its strategic initiatives of market development; environmental, social and economic sustainability; value creation and producer engagement. ISA is led by an elected, farmer board that directs investments of the soybean checkoff funds on behalf of more than 20,000 Indiana soybean farmers. Learn more at www.incornandsoy.com

SEARCHING FOR SOYBEAN FARMER LEADERS Applications Now Being Accepted Represent your district.

We need leaders like you. The Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) manages soybean farmer investments from the soybean checkoff. The ISA Board of Directors represents the nearly 28,000 soybean farmers in Indiana who contribute their dollars to the checkoff.

PORTER LAKE

STEUBEN

NOBLE

DE KALB

KOSCIUSKO

WABASH WHITE

BENTON

ALLEN

FULTON

PULASKI

NEWTON CASS

HUNTINGTON

MIAMI

ADAMS

WELLS

CARROLL

GRANT

HOWARD

BLACKFORD JAY

CLINTON

Elections will take place in all four districts. To be a candidate you must:

TIPTON MADISON

TIPPECANOE

WARREN

DELAWARE RANDOLPH

HENRY FOUNTAIN

WAYNE MONTGOMERY

HAMILTON

BOONE

VERMILLION PARKE

HANCOCK

MARION

HENDRICKS PUTNAM

RUSH VIGO

MORGAN

CLAY

JOHNSON

FRANKLIN

DECATUR MONROE

SULLIVAN

FAYETTE UNION

SHELBY

OWEN BROWN BARTHOLOMEW

DEARBORN

RIPLEY

GREENE

JENNINGS JACKSON LAWRENCE

JEFFERSON

OHIO SWITZERLAND

DAVIESS MARTIN

KNOX

Election ballots will be distributed by mail in Anderson, May 2024.Ind., farmer Josh Miller, All ballots must be postmarked by June 30, 2024. a past USGC chairman, tellswill the tour group that The election will take place in June, and results ethanol begins by growing be announced in July.

LA GRANGE

WHITLEY

ISA is seeking soybean farmer leaders to join a 24-member farmer board that is responsible for annually investing Indiana soybean checkoff funds in Market Development, Value Creation, Sustainability and Producer Engagement.

To learn more about serving as an ISA Director, or to receive a director expectation statement, go to www.incornandsoy.org/ISAElection or call the ISA office at 317-644-2863.

ELKHART

MARSHALL STARKE

JASPER

• Be engaged in the growing of soybeans in the last two years. • Certify ownership or share ownership and risk of loss of soybeans. out director expectation statement and return it to ISA. (Director • Fill expectation statement must be returned by March 1, 2024.)

ST JOSEPH

LA PORTE

SCOTT ORANGE

PIKE GIBSON

WARRICK POSEY VANDERBURGH

DUBOIS CRAWFORD

SPENCER

PERRY

WASHINGTON CLARK FLOYD HARRISON

corn on a farm.

Funded with Indiana soybean checkoff dollars.

JANUARY 2024

ORGANIZATIONAL & BOARD MANAGEMENT

ADMINISTRATION & GENERAL SERVICES

PRODUCER ENGAGEMENT

MARKET DEVELOPMENT

$1,489,392

$770,008

$4,914,686

$566,799

VALUE CREATION $2,252,875

SUSTAINABILITY $4,231,946

2023 ANNUAL REPORT The Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC) is made up of 17 volunteer farmer Board Members who put your corn checkoff to work. The Board directs investments into programs and services to bring a strong return back to you and your farm. Here is a snapshot of our year-end results:

MARKET DEVELOPMENT Working with partners to accelerate demand for corn in all forms. ICMC is committed to promoting ethanol to build demand for Indiana corn through relationships and infrastructure investments. There are now 93 E15 and 288 E85 fuel retail stations in Indiana, a 9% increase from the prior year.

Since the inception of the Indiana checkoff program in 2007, ethanol production has increased by 1.3 billion gallons, which is equivalent to 520 million bushels of corn.

43% of Indiana corn is used for ethanol, an increase of 3% from the prior year. 41,498 full time jobs are supported by ethanol production, an increase of 9% (4,553 jobs) from the prior year.

In 2022, Indiana exported 7 million bushels of corn through poultry and eggs. 36 million bushels were exported through beef and pork, contributing $191.90 per Indiana corn acre as a valuable feed source for livestock. ICMC directly engaged in promotion activities with international markets in 31 countries, covering 57% of the world’s population and 36% of Global GDP. In 2023, ICMC hosted over 225 visitors from 11 trade teams showcasing Indiana corn, ethanol and meat products to global buyers.

VALUE CREATION

Finding new markets and new uses for corn and increasing the value of corn grown.

ICMC contributed $341,000 to 5 research projects designed to develop new value-added markets & products from corn in all forms.

ICMC partnered with Indiana FFA and the Indiana Dairy Bar to provide corn-based plastic utensils, straws and cups during the Indiana State Fair, reaching thousands of visitors.

SUSTAINABILITY

Promoting farm sustainability through environmental, economical and community outreach programs. ICMC funded 8 University and on-farm research projects on soil health, disease management and pest solutions.

70 farmers planted 2,800 acres of cover crops trials through the ICMC’s Upper White Cover Crop Program, allowing them to try out the practice on their farms to prevent erosion and runoff.

22,600 youth took part in ICMC-sponsored State Fair programs including in-person Little Hands on the Farm and virtual learning Journey of the Corn program to learn about modern corn farming.

PRODUCER ENGAGEMENT

Engaging more deeply with Indiana’s 20,000 corn farmers. ICMC launched a new website incornandsoy.org creating a resource of information for farmers and consumers.

Four Indiana farmers reached 2.3 million viewers through on-farm TV interviews on 4 TV Networks. The networks followed the farmers throughout the growing season to help share the farm story.

ICMC held 10 safety training sessions, training 229 Indiana firefighters about best grain bin safety and rescue practices.

ICMC provides dollars directly back to the farm. Fees for 5,380 PARP credit training courses were covered for farmers in 2023.

2023 CORN CHECKOFF INVESTMENT BREAKDOWN: For full ICMC financials, scan the QR code:

ADMINISTRATION & GENERAL SERVICES $271,306

ORGANIZATIONAL & BOARD MANAGEMENT $504,779

PRODUCER ENGAGEMENT $468,009

VALUE CREATION $371,993

NCGA CHECKOFF PROGRAMS $585,000

MARKET DEVELOPMENT $2,032,979

SUSTAINABILITY $1,210,659

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Legan Livestock and Grain is a family farm, raising pigs and crops. Mark Legan, pictured here, and his wife Phyllis began the operation in 1989. The couple was joined by their daughter Beth and son-in-law Nick in 2010.

Legan family recognizes value of on-farm conservation practices BY AMIE SIMPSON

irst-generation farmer Mark Legan has adopted conservation practices on his Putnam County operation with the next generations in mind. Mark and his wife Phyllis began Legan Livestock and Grain in 1989 and were joined by their daughter, Beth, and son-inlaw, Nick, in 2010. That’s when the family established core values for the farm that they still adhere to today. “One of the core values is integrity, and we define that as doing what’s right when no one is looking,” Legan said. “Another is relationships. We wouldn’t be farming today if it wasn’t for the relationships we have with other farmers and input suppliers. The third core value is stewardship. We define stewardship as taking care of the land, water, pigs, employees, and community. Last, but certainly not least, is continuous improvement. We want to be better tomorrow than we are today. We want to learn all we can and apply that to make our farm more efficient and sustainable for the future.” Legan, an Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) board member, said it all boils down to protecting natural resources through conservation practices like no-till and cover crops with the goal of ensuring that his daughter and son-in-law and then grandchildren, if they choose to, can continue to farm. They have been no-till planting some of their acres since they

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started farming. Today, they are 100 percent no-till, with exceptions to level tiled ground out. The family also plants cover crops. Legan said they mainly started using cover crops to tie up nitrogen from fallapplied manure. Cereal rye, which is planted in the fall and provides a three-to-four-foot soil cover by the spring, has worked the best on his operation. He added that they saw the benefits of cover crops, especially following soybeans, and worked up to planting cover crops on all acres. “Cereal rye allows us a lot more options in the springtime when it comes to terminating it. In the past, we have used several different cover crop species,” he said. “We’ve also used a variety of seeding methods over the last 15 years. Whether that’s aerial seeding at the end of August or September or applying cover crop seed with fertilizer and incorporating that with a vertical tillage tool. We finally bought a Hiniker Air Seeder and we have been able to cut cereal rye rates to one-third of what we were using with broadcast applications.” Legan said they will continue to utilize sustainable conservation practices on the farm to improve the environment and their bottom line. “I have a quote above my desk from former Purdue University Ag Economist Chris Hurt that says, ‘returns go to management in farming,

returns don’t go to tractor drivers.’ That’s why we are trying to apply management principles that are a little more complex than just going out and tilling the soil,” he said. “By doing that it’s better for the soil, it’s better for water quality, and we’re able to cut our machinery costs drastically as well as the fuel and labor for land preparation. That’s probably one of the main reasons we got involved with no till. We started with limited capital and labor, and it seemed like a way that we could make that work on a larger scale.” In 2024, the family is considering drone seeding cover crops and changing some residual herbicides used in soybeans. They will also continue to apply manure fertilizer to their fields to provide necessary nutrients to the crops.

Economic, environmental benefits of manure application

Mark Legan takes a quick assessment of the soil health in his field.

For the past three years, Legan Livestock and Grain has participated in an on-farm sustainability analysis with the National Pork Board. The goal of the analysis is to quantify management practices on the farm and how that relates to soil quality, soil erosion, and water quality. Legan said the analysis considers the liquid manure fertilizer they apply to the field and the fertilizer that they have purchased. “Each year, about one quarter of our acres receive manure applications. The average cost savings from manure applied to 240 acres is about $80 per acre in fertilizer cost,” he said. “(The Sustainable Environmental Consultants) also calculate our greenhouse gas emissions. We’re sequestering about one third a ton of soil carbon per year across all our acres and our erosion rate is one half a ton per acre. The USDA calculates the average erosion rate in Indiana cropland as 3.2 tons per acre. “We’re well under the state average and the state average is well under the national average of 4.6 tons of soil loss per acre. While we are losing half a ton a year, I believe the T value for soil, which represents the maximum annual rate of soil erosion that could occur without causing a decline in long-term productivity, is generating 2 tons of soil per year and by sequestering this carbon we’re building organic matter in the soil.” The family started participating in the on-farm sustainability analysis so they could begin benchmarking their farm’s sustainability index. “We feel that at some point it will add value to our customers, grain, and pork and hopefully result in increased returns to us,” he said. Legan said it is helpful to be able to quantify the environmental aspects of the practices they are implementing, compare it year over year, and then use the data to inform decision-making on the farm. For more information about National Pork Board’s effort visit porkcheckoff.org/pork-production-management/ sustainability/.

Those interested in participating or using a similar tool, contact Madeline Lilly, the sustainability and value creation project manager with Indiana Soybean Alliance, to find out if you’re a candidate for the 2024 pilot at mlilly@indianasoybean.com.

Sharing conservation data with farmers There is a learning curve to changing management practices like no-till or cover crops. Legan says they are fortunate that neighboring farmers have been open to sharing information. “Having a group of peers that we can share information with about what did and didn’t work in a year is important,” he said. “We’re trying to do the best we can, not only for our bottom line, but also for the soils and environment. When you look at the soil resources that we have in the Midwest, we’re very blessed. But soil degradation does occur over the years if we’re not instituting conservation practices to control erosion and protect the health of the soil.” The advice he has for farmers interested in planting cover crops, switching to no-till, or using other conservation practices is to have an open mind, a good attitude, and to start small. “I believe that farmers going into changing tillage systems or management practices with the idea that they’re going to make it work, will make it work. On the other hand, it generally does not work out if someone is skeptical and goes into it thinking it isn’t a good idea. Start small when making changes because there’s a learning curve and not every year is going to be the best-case scenario. We want to make our mistakes on a small-scale,” he said. Legan said the family will continuously work to find new ways to leave the farm better than they found it. Interested in implementing some conservation practices on your farm? Reach out to Joe Rorick, ISA on-farm sustainability programs and research coordinator at jrorick@indianasoybean.com for more information.

JANUARY 2024

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Are short-stature corn hybrids next in evolution of U.S. corn production? BY DAN QUINN, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Agronomy Purdue University and ERICK OLIVA M.S. Graduate Research Assistant Purdue University

typically realized in the “stacked” internodeately, several prominent agricultural spacing below the ear (Figure 2). seed and genetic companies have In addition, short-stature hybrids started introducing novel corn hybrids maintained similar leaf number and exhibited characterized as “short-stature.” These a wider stem diameter and a wider ear leaf hybrids are noticeably shorter than current diameter than full-stature hybrids, likely “full-stature” hybrids and can often range 20contributing to the lack of total biomass 24 inches shorter in height (Figure 1). differences. Overall, these short-stature Overall, these hybrids have potential hybrids maintained very strong yields at both benefits which include increased lodging of the Purdue research locations in Indiana resistance, increased tolerance to higher and produced the same or slightly lower plant populations, and narrower rows, yields in comparison to full-stature hybrids and easier in-season access with spray Dan Quinn when grown in the exact same environments. equipment for fertilizer and pesticide For example, short-stature hybrid yields applications. However, the introduction did exceed 300 bushels per acre within multiple of these new hybrids raises many new questions for research treatments and maintained average yields producers and consultants, such as: ranging from 240-260 bushels per acre in northwest How do these hybrids compare to current fullIndiana and 250-300 bushels per acre in central stature hybrids? Indiana. How well do these hybrids yield? These hybrids also exhibited a higher tolerance to Do these hybrids require higher optimum seeding both increased seeding rates and narrow row (20rates? inch) systems. For example, research in both central How challenging are these hybrids to harvest? and northwest Indiana observed continued grain yield Therefore, new 2023 research at Purdue University in increases as seeding rates increased from 34,000 to partnership with Bayer CropScience, one of the leaders 50,000 seeds per acre when grown in 20-inch rows, in the introduction of these new hybrids, sought to which suggests these hybrids may have the potential answer some of these questions. to tolerate even higher plant populations when grown In 2023, research trials at Purdue University comparing in narrow row systems. both short-stature and full-stature hybrids observed Furthermore, agronomic optimum seeding rates noticeable differences in both average plant height (67 for short-stature corn in 30-inch rows were often inches versus 86 inches) and average ear height (22 on average 6,000-8,000 seeds per acre more than inches versus 37 inches, measured from the point where current full-stature hybrids. Overall, these hybrids the ear shank attaches to the main stem), yet minimal show tremendous promise in their ability to yield well differences in average above-ground total plant biomass and tolerate higher plant populations and narrower (7,300 versus 7,200 pounds per acre) at the R1 growth rows, however, many physiological and management stage. The reduced heights of short-stature hybrids are

• • • •

INDIANA CORN & SOYBEAN POST

This photo represents an in-season comparison of full-stature corn hybrids, at left, in comparison to short-stature corn hybrids, at right.

This photo shows the visual difference in internode spacing below the ear in shortstature corn, at left, in comparison to fullstature corn, at right.

improve U.S. corn production, improve resiliency to questions remain and will continue to be pursued. adverse weather conditions, and improve the ease and One of the biggest challenges these hybrids efficiency of in-season nutrient and crop protection will continue to face will be both ear height and applications. However, many questions persist, and harvestability. Corn ear position on the main stem must further research will be required to fully understand this maintain specific heights above the soil surface in order new corn hybrid system. to be properly harvested by current combine headers and to avoid any added additional wear on machines. For example, 2023 research at Purdue observed a fairly strong relationship between ear height and yield once the height dropped below 23-24 inches, whereas the relationship to yield became much weaker when ear height was above this threshold (Figure 3). Based on 2023 research at Purdue, corn ear height was dictated by hybrid selection, planting date, growing season environmental conditions, and management practices, meaning each of these factors will remain important when adopting short-stature This chart shows the relationship between corn ear height – measured from the soil surface hybrids. to the point where the ear shank attaches to the main stem – and grain yield. Red points Overall, these hybrids indicate data collected from West Lafayette, Ind., and blue points indicate data collected from showcase the potential to Wanatah, Ind.

JANUARY 2024

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Purdue reseachers fighting tar spot; a new foe for Hoosier farmers BY EMILY MATCHAR, Purdue College of Agriculture

Bangladesh and in 2018 in Zambia. Why? he strange black circles began appearing on corn The answer appears to reach back to 2014 when Russia leaves in Indiana’s Cass and Carroll counties in 2015. invaded and annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula. Suddenly, It looked almost as if someone had dipped a brush in the region’s massive wheat crop was difficult or impossible to black paint and flicked it on the corn. Farmers had never seen export. anything quite like it, but it gave them a bad feeling. “Countries were desperately looking for sources of wheat,” Researchers at the Purdue Plant and Pest Diagnostic Lab Cruz says “Brazil was not a major exporter of wheat, but that (PPDL) soon identified the problem: tar spot. The disease, year it became one. Before shipping, grain might have gotten caused by a fungus, was well known in Mexico, Central and infected at the farm, and blast infections are sometimes South America, where it had damaged corn for more than hard to spot. Some of that a century. But until 2015, it might have ended up in had never been seen in the Bangladesh.” United States. Now it was Researchers are still here – and it was spreading. unsure how tar spot got to “It can be a pretty the Midwest – it’s now spread devastating disease in terms from Indiana and Illinois to of corn,” said Daniel Quinn, more than a dozen states Purdue’s Extension Corn across the Midwest, Eastern Specialist and assistant seaboard and South. But professor in agronomy. “It now that it’s here, they need can cause significant yield to be able to spot outbreaks reductions if you don’t quickly. To this end, Cruz and manage it properly.” his collaborators, both in the Since tar spot’s arrival U.S. and abroad, are using in this country, Purdue a variety of data-collection researchers have been on Dan Quinn, Purdue Extension’s Corn specialist, works with technologies. the front lines of the fight farmers across the state to discuss tar spot and its management. “Drones, robotic platforms, against the disease. They’re Photo by Purdue Agricultural Communications/Tom Campbell IoT devices, weather sensors, developing new ways of tracking and treating the disease, an effort which reaches across disciplines and national borders.

Know your enemy “If you don’t know your enemy, it’s hard to combat the threat,” said Christian Cruz, an assistant professor in the Botany and Plant Pathology Department. One of the biggest unknowns about corn tar spot is how it got here — understanding how plant pathogens spread involves thinking multidimensionally across disciplines. You need to understand botany, of course, but also things like global trade, international relations, weather patterns and more. To illustrate, Cruz uses the example of wheat blast, another plant disease caused by a fungus. Since its discovery in Brazil in 1985, wheat blast had only been found in the Americas (though not in the U.S.). But in 2016, it suddenly appeared in

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people doing visual assessments or using cell phones to collect imagery,” Cruz lists. Cruz and his team have been looking at quantifying disease intensity using multispectral imaging – capturing image data within certain wavelengths. Using Red-Green-Blue (RGB) images of affected leaves also seems promising as a way to distinguish tar spot quickly. These imagining technologies could be used in field trials of new hybrids or new fungicides, “looking” for tar spot among test plots to see which hybrids or fungicides fare best. Cruz’s lab is also looking at using field sensors with an algorithm to detect and quantify the size and extent of tar spot outbreaks. “Very recently, we started collaborating with people in engineering – robotics, imaging and sensing technologies, mathematics, artificial intelligence, and Extension; cooperation is vital,” he said. Ultimately, Cruz hopes to help develop a decision-making

framework for growers and researchers. “If you’re an end-user, you’d be interested in the level of tar spot, so you can decide to spray a fungicide or not or recommend a different hybrid or cultivar next year,” he said.

A disease pushing the limits “I started at Purdue in 2018,” said Darcy Telenko, a field crop plant pathologist in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology. “The first call I got was about a field that turned brown almost a month before it should have.” During that first year Telenko’ s team documented tar spot in about half the counties in Indiana. Now tar spot of corn has been confirmed in almost all the state’s 92 counties. “This disease is pushing the limits of our fungicides,” Telenko said. Telenko and her team are actively looking for solutions: better fungicides, more precise timing for application of fungicides, and more resistant corn. Currently, when tar spot shows up in early July, farmers will need to stave off disease for two months, until the crop reaches maturity. This may mean two applications of fungicide are necessary, which is expensive and timeconsuming. Telenko hopes to figure out the ideal window for application, while working with growers’ logistical constraints, such as when aerial applicators (crop dusters) are available. Knowing when to apply fungicides means having data about initial infections. So, like Cruz, Telenko is involved in developing better detection and prediction methods. She’s partnered with a team at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, to develop a tar spot application. The app uses weather data to predict when infections are likely to occur in areas with a history of tar spot. But there are still many unknowns. Scientists understand that tar spot spore infection requires the presence of moisture, but how much and when are still unanswered questions. “The leaves can’t just be continuously wet,” Telenko said. “There may need to be a fluctuation in moisture or humidity conditions. In Indiana, there are many mornings with a morning dew, that then dries off during the day, and this might

Darcy Telenko, a field crop plant pathologist in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at Purdue University, collects samples of tar spot infected plants. Photo by Purdue Agricultural Communications/Tom Campbell

Christian Cruz, assistant professor in the Purdue Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, uses field sensors to enhance the precision and efficiency of tar spot quantification. Photo by Purdue Agricultural Communications/Tom Campbell

be the ideal situation for tar spot spores to gain access.” Telenko and others are also working on methods for rapidly sampling these spores in the field. Her team currently samples sites regularly and is helping create tools for evaluating those samples more quickly. The unpredictability of tar spot year to year is one of the most difficult things for growers, Telenko said. Some years – 2021 was one – bring widespread outbreaks. Other years, the disease only appears in hotspots. “I have growers from 2018 who, this year, feel like they finally got a handle on this,” she said. “The big problem is it continues to spread.”

On the ground help When farmers find leaves affected by what looks like tar spot, Quinn encourages them to send it in to Purdue for diagnosis. There are several things that can look like tar spot, he explains, so don’t panic just because you see black speckles on the corn. “One of the most common mimics is insect poop,” he said. “So, we always recommend, if you can scratch it off then it’s not tar spot, but if it’s raised and stays it can be.” Quinn and his colleagues do regular outreach to educate farmers about tar spot and its management. This includes podcasts, webinars, meetings, public field days, local media spots, and more. If a grower has a confirmed case of tar spot, Quinn’s advice will depend on the season, the weather, and the extent of the spread. “If it’s showing up early, we always think about making fungicide applications to corn in mid-July when corn is tasseling,” he said. “That’s a critical period. If you’re seeing it at that point in time, it’s probably going to be a severe year.” Knowing they cannot eliminate tar spot entirely all the Purdue researchers hope to greatly reduce its impact on grain production. “Maybe in 10 years we can say ‘oh that was a big problem, but it’s a minor issue now,’” said Telenko.

JANUARY 2024

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Biofuels produced from homegrown feedstocks benefit the environment BY AMIE SIMPSON

market access for farmers he 2023 Environmental and growing international and Conference and domestic demand for corn in Winter Technical all forms, including ethanol. Meeting highlighted Jette was joined on stage alternative fuels and by Jake Comer, vice president technologies as consumers of market development seek environmentally with Growth Energy, a trade friendly energy solutions association working to realize and transportation sector the full potential of American stakeholders aim to meet biofuels to save consumers decarbonization goals. money, lower carbon The event was presented by ISA and ICMC Biofuels Director Helena Jette, who is also emissions and build a stronger Greater Indiana Clean Cities in the board president of Greater Indiana, spoke on the economy. partnership with the Indiana Alternative Fuels panel. Indiana’s 15 biorefineries Chamber of Commerce and Air produce about 1.4 billion gallons of ethanol each year. The and Waste Management Association Indiana Chapter. fuel benefits the environment with the fuel contributing Kerri Garvin, executive director of Greater Indiana, said up to a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions she was pleased the event brought together industry compared to petroleum. Jette works with fuel retailers to leaders from diverse alternative fuel and transportation promote higher blends of ethanol such as Unleaded 88, a sectors including ethanol, biodiesel, natural gas, propane, blend of 15 percent ethanol with 85 percent gasoline; and battery electric and hydrogen. E85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline – “We wanted to show that collaborative effort and how depending on the site. many people are working in this space and all the great “Unleaded88 (E15) and E85 Flex Fuel is how we brand things they’re doing. That’s the story to tell in Indiana, and these fuels at retail sites in Indiana,” Jette said. “Drivers see so it was really cool to hear from each and every one of the yellow and blue nozzles them,” she said. at the pump for these fuels. “Greater Indiana promotes That consistency is key for how all the alternative fuels and we market renewable fuels in technologies to show there’s Indiana currently,” not a one-size-fits-all solution. She said the ethanol industry There are different applications, is made possible with the help uses, levels of comfort, and of corn farmers, biorefineries, affordability. So, people may fuel retailers, consumers and turn to biofuels, propane, auto manufacturers. This natural gas, hydrogen or electric collaboration is necessary for depending on those things.” maintaining markets and growth.

Corn-based ethanol is earth friendly Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC) Biofuels Director Helena Jette, who is also the board president of Greater Indiana, spoke on the Alternative Fuels panel about the importance of increasing

Jette works with fuel retailers to promote higher blends of ethanol such as Unleaded 88, a blend of 15 percent ethanol with 85 percent gasoline and E85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.

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Biodiesel is a drop-in fuel that has been approved for use in most diesel engines. B20 is a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel that has demonstrated environmental benefits.

Boosting demand for soy-based biodiesel Jette, also representing the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA), spoke on the importance of improving the viability of soybean growers and industry

partners by accelerating demand for soybean oil, the main feedstock in biodiesel. “Soybean farmers are producing more soybeans on the same acreage of land with more efficiency by bushel,” Jette said. “That means there are enough soybeans for food and fuel.” She was joined on stage by David Cobb, director of federal affairs with Clean Fuels Alliance America, a national trade association representing biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel. ISA is committed to making biodiesel readily available for consumers. There are seven soybean crushing plants in Indiana with 300 million pounds of soybean oil. About 24 percent of the state’s soybean production is going into biodiesel production each year. Biodiesel is a clean-burning alternative fuel produced from domestic, renewable resources, such as soybeans in Indiana. Indiana produces more than 100 million gallons

of biodiesel each year, which has a positive environmental and economic impact. The drop-in fuel has been approved for use in most diesel engines. B20, a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel, has demonstrated environmental benefits of more than a 70 percent reduction of GHG emissions compared to petroleum diesel. Jette spoke about the B20 Club of Indiana, a partnership between ISA and the American Lung Association, that supports Indiana-based fleets running on B20 blends or higher. Since the program started, 9.3 million gallons of B20 have been used by more than 2,500 vehicles. A common theme of the event is that all the fuels and technologies will be needed to meet ambitious sustainability and climate goals. Biofuels continue to be a sustainable energy solution that can reduce carbon emissions and transition to a greener future.

Plan to turn corn stover into plastic polymers wins AgriNovus challenge

team, comprised of Dave Skibinski, griNovus Indiana, a non-profit Wade Lange and Tom Santelli, has focused on growing Indiana’s already received a Manufacturing agbioscience economy, Readiness Grant from Conexus announced in December that FiberX Indiana and an Innovation Voucher for of Hammond, Ind., has won the Elevate Ventures. Producer-Led Innovation Challenge, ISA Board Director Denise awarding them $25,000 to advance Scarborough, a farmer from Lacrosse, commercialization of their solution. Ind., and ICMC Board Director Janis In partnership with the Indiana Corn Highley, a farmer from Warren, Ind., Marketing Council (ICMC) and Indiana were among the contest’s judges. Soybean Alliance (ISA), the Producer“Producers are always looking Led Innovation Challenge tasked The developers of FiberX were the winners of for better ways to make our farms companies, entrepreneurs, students the AgriNovus Producer-Led Challenge in 2023. more efficient,” Scarborough said. and innovators with creating new “New technology is a key way to achieve those goals. ISA is revenue streams from current on-farm processes to increase efficiency and return on investment for producers’ operations. excited to continue supporting this contest. There were many interesting and diverse projects; it was very difficult to select “Agriculture is the only economy in the world that touches one, clear winner.” every person on the planet, because it centers on food,” Highley concurred. “New technologies allow farmers to said Mitch Frazier, president and CEO of AgriNovus. “This consider changes that could help their farms,” she explained. challenge sought to identify new innovations that enable “Farmers are usually early adopters of new technology farmers to generate additional revenue streams while because it can add to their success of family-owned farms. simultaneously meeting the growing global demand for a Like our winner, many successful innovations begin with the sustainable food system.” idea of solving a problem.” FiberX works with corn growers to source and convert In addition to the $25,000 grand prize, Purdue DIAL corn stover into a feedstock for the chemical and materials Ventures presented prize money to the top two student sectors. The company’s portfolio includes natural fiberteams from Purdue University. EcoTrack, founded by Purdue reinforced plastic polymer pellets and fiber for the plastic student Corey Tuinstra, was awarded $4,000 for its digitally injection molding industry. These biocomposite plastics offer enabled audit management system. YieldSmart was awardsuperior strength and cost-effectiveness, potentially replacing up to 50 percent of petroleum-based plastic polymers. ed $2,000 for their precision agriculture solution focused on FiberX is focused on customers producing durable data-backed decision making. Their team is comprised of products for long-term use such as outdoor furniture. Their Purdue students Anton Josifovski and Isha Shamim.

JANUARY 2024

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West Fork Whiskey Co., located in Westfield, Ind., received the Best of Indiana award for the 2023 Heartland Whiskey Competition, sponsored by ICMC. The award-winning Hugh Hamer Straight Bourbon Rum Finish Cask Strength pays homage to 19th-century excellence using 100 percent Indiana grain.

Whiskey among the many products made with bushels of Indiana corn BY DAVE BLOWER JR.

orn is more than staple food source for many Americans. Corn is more than feed for livestock and poultry. Corn is more than an energy ingredient for high-octane fuels such as ethanol. Corn, in reality, is a versatile grain that is abundant and useful in a variety of products. The Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC), the state’s corn checkoff program, is dedicated to delivering corn in all of its different forms to customers across America and around the world. One of the more popular forms is as old as Indiana itself – whiskey. ICMC joined 18 other state corn marketing associations in promoting new products in the competitive whiskey industry. This is how the Heartland Whiskey Competition was born. “Indiana’s corn checkoff works to find creative ways to promote new uses of corn in a growing market,” said 2023 ICMC President Paul Hodgen, a farmer from

INDIANA CORN & SOYBEAN POST

Roachdale, Ind. “We’re happy to support the whiskey competition. With this competition, ICMC is reaching a non-traditional audience and educating them on alternate uses of corn. This project helps ICMC bridge the gap between farmers and consumers on the multiple uses of corn and the quality and sustainability of its production in Indiana.” The other state checkoffs participating in the competition were from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.

Heartland Whiskey Competition The Heartland Whiskey Competition is a biennial, blind-tasting judging contest that is sanctioned and supervised by the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA). The competition offers several categories to

craft distillers from all U.S. states and territories. In addition to category competitions, such as bourbon, moonshine, etc., “Best of State” awards are given to those states with corn association sponsorships. A “Best of Show” award is given to the highest-scoring whiskey from the “Best of State” winners. For the first time, the 2023 competition introduced the Top Farmer-Distiller Award. Farmer-distillers made up 32 percent of this year’s entries this year – a new record high. The winner of this award was Single Barrel Bourbon – Tobacco Barn by Tobacco Barn Distillery of Hollywood, Md. “Corn farmers, through their state corn associations, have supported the U.S. craft distilling industry through this important competition,” said ACSA CEO Margie Lehrman. “We greatly appreciate their continued support and the fact they supply our members with the best corn product in the world.” The competition was in early August, in St. Louis, Mo. ACSA facilitated the judging. Recent ACSA Board President Chris Montana, owner of Du Nord Social Spirits in Minnesota, served as Judging Director. Other judges were from the Missouri and Illinois spirits industry and were chosen for their knowledge of craft whiskey.

Recent Indiana Corn Marketing Council President Paul Hodgen presented the Best of Indiana award to West Fork Whiskey’s David McIntyre and Blake Jones.

a great whiskey and paying homage to Indiana’s rich distilling history,” he said. “At the end of the day, what matters most to us is being an Indiana distillery that produces whiskey that tastes great to consumers – especially that hard-working Indiana working class. 2023 Best in Indiana Winner The winning bourbon has historic Hoosier roots, too. The 2023 Best in State Winner, sponsored by ICMC, Hugh Hamer Straight Bourbon Rum Finish Cask was Hugh Hamer Straight Bourbon Rum Finish Cask Strength is based on a 19th century recipe developed Strength crafted by the West Fork Whiskey Co. of by the Hamer Family in Lawrence County, Ind. Hugh and Westfield, Ind. West Fork Whiskey was launched in Thomas Hamer acquired the village of Spring Mill, Ind., 2015 in downtown Indianapolis, Ind. As native Hoosiers, in 1825 for $7,000 that was to be paid co-founders Blake Jones and David through time. The Hamers operated McIntyre brought West Fork Whiskey a mill and distilled excess corn for to life to share their passion of whiskey lovers as far south as New American spirit. McIntyre and Jones Orleans, La. said they want to create sip-able, Old Hamer branded whiskey was smooth whiskeys that are always once lost to the sands of time, but made with 100 percent Indiana grain. the West Fork Whiskey Co. is bringing “We started West Fork Whiskey back the flavor. Co. to share our interpretation of “The goal of West Fork Whiskey America’s native spirit with the has always been to create great world,” Jones said. “Our spirits are 100 Indiana whiskey,” McIntyre said. “We percent Indiana from grain to glass. decided to resurrect the Old Hamer We pay respect to one of the best brand as it has a unique place in grain-producing states in America, the history books of whiskey in this and we toast to hard work and great state. The bourbon mash bill dedication with every glass.” of 99 percent corn and 1 percent Hodgen said ICMC is proud to malted barley is very similar, if not present West Fork Whiskey with the identical, to that of what the Hamer award and appreciate their efforts family would have used while to support Indiana corn farmers. Hugh Hamer Straight Bourbon Rum creating their whiskey. We feel this McIntyre said their mission is Finish Cask Strength is based on a 19th genuine. brand is an accurate representation of century recipe developed by the Hamer “We are hell-bent on creating great Indiana whiskey.” Family in Lawrence County, Ind.

JANUARY 2024

BELIEVE YOU CAN. FOR WE LIVE BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT. II CORINTHIANS 5 : 7

INDIANA CORN & SOYBEAN POST