HIGHER ROI IS WITHIN REACH
The Soy Checkoff is driving demand for high oleic soybeans across the U.S., and our investment has already delivered $320 million in premiums to farmers at a 3-1 ROI1.
1 United Soybean Board Investments, 2008-2024 © 2025 United Soybean Board
MAY-JUNE 2025 | VOL. 18, NO. 1
Liquid fuels summit touts future for ethanol, biodiesel
The High Performance Low Carbon Liquid Fuels Summit brought together farmers, fuel retailers and biofuels advocates to explore the growing potential of ethanol and biodiesel.
15
Lab-grade, food-grade film wins innovation competition
A self-adhesive, lab-grade and food-grade film called SoyShield earned the $20,000 grand prize in the 31st annual Student Soybean Innovation Competition at the Purdue University.
22 Conservation delivers outcomes for Hodgen Farms
Paul Hodgen describes how a combination of grassed waterways, filter strips and no- or minimum-till helped keep everything in place after a rain event.
26
Corn to Cocktail Series educates consumers about corn
Conner Prairie’s “Corn to Cocktail” series, sponsored by the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, blends historical anecdotes, farm data and delicious drinks into engaging classes.
39
About the cover:
Craig Williams, a farmer from Oaktown, Ind., is the vice chair for the American Soybean Association’s World Initiatives for Soy in Human Health (WISHH). Through his work with WISHH and his own family’s Micah 6:8 project, Williams is devoted to helping people from around the world. For more about his work, read his story on page 18. (Amy Kelley photo)
Chair
ISA Membership & Policy Committee
Brian Warpup, Warren / D2
Dylan Christopher, Brookston / D1
Joe Stoller, Bremen / D1
Allen Buchanan, Fowler / D1
Kevin Kelley, Brookston / D1
John Peters, Monticello / D1
Denise Scarborough, LaCrosse / D1
C.J. Chalfant, Hartford City / D2
Carey McKibben, LaGrange / D2
Steve Phares, Albion / D2
Jenna Scott, Muncie / D2
Brian Warpup, Warren / D2
Mark Wenning, Cambridge City / D2
Vice Chair
David Hardin, Avon / D4
Directors
Philip Springstun, Boonville / D3
Mark Legan, Coatesville / D3
Derika Lynam-Spaetti, Richland / D3
Gary McDaniel, Boonville / D3
Jason Misiniec, Bicknell / D3
Larry Rusch, Vincennes / D3
Andrew McDaniel, Noblesville / D4
Kevin Burbrink, Seymour / D4
Chris Eck, Boggstown / D4
Mike Koehne, Greensburg / D4
Roger Wenning, Greensburg / D4
President
Chris Cherry, New Palestine / D6
Vice President
Secretary
J.R. Roesner, Ferdinand / D8
Treasurer
Alan Dunn, Michigantown / D4 Tyler Everett, Lebanon / D7
Tom Murphy, Chesterton / D1
Directors
Scott Smith, Windfall / D5
Joe Tuholski, LaPorte / D2 Tyler Pottschmidt, Crothersville / D9
Phil Zicht, Winchester / D3
Staff Credits
Editor / Dave Blower Jr. dblower@indianasoybean.com
Writer / Amie Simpson asimpson@indianasoybean.com
Writer / Anita Sharkey asharkey@indianasoybean.com
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.
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Liquid fuels summit offered strong programs and informed attendees
IChris Cherry President Indiana Corn Growers Association
n early May, I had the pleasure of being one of the many speakers at the High Performance Low Carbon Liquid Fuels Summit at the Colts complex in Indianapolis. This is such a great event for retailers and industry partners to showcase Indiana, ethanol and biofuels.
Indiana Corn Growers Association, Indiana Corn Marketing Council and Indiana Soybean Alliance staff did a phenomenal job in putting together this event with industry partners attending from all across the country.. I feel fortunate to be able to attend this for a second consecutive year.
Not only were the speakers and panels impressive and informative, but all of the attendees were, too. Those in the crowd showcased a wide range of talent within the biofuels industry. We had many good discussions in addition to the stage presentations.
We learned during the Summit that ethanol and renewable fuels, in general, face many challenges – just like most of us trying to plant a crop this spring.
On our farm, we finished planting on May 12, and we were fortunate to finish corn and soybeans on the same day. Although we’re able to plant some soybeans in April, but the majority of our crop went in the ground in early May. We will continue to spray wheat (for the last time), spray corn and get ready to side-dress nitrogen.
The wheat is looking pretty good and should come off earlier than usual again. We’re hoping for strong yields because wheat, like corn and soybeans, has taken a big hit in the markets.
These hits in the markets are why we need reliable
support for renewable fuels like ethanol. We were disappointed that the ethanol tax incentive bill got cut by the Indiana General Assembly when the April forecasts came out. But we should all be proud of the efforts and support that this bill had in the Statehouse for this session. We will continue to work to keep ethanol moving forward.
Ethanol and biofuels are still a cleaner burning, renewable energy source, and we will get this done.
ICGA recognizes the value of the corn checkoff programs in Indiana. The Indiana Corn Marketing Council was created by state law in 2007. In that time, the checkoff has worked to make our corn crop more valuable by encouraging investment in the ethanol industry and finding new export markets.
The checkoff program has plans to do more. To assist with their goals of helping all Indiana corn farmers, ICGA is looking into ways to update the state’s corn checkoff law. This effort will require input from you, and we encourage you to scan the QR code on this page for more information.
As you know, ICGA is a membership organization that serves as the policy voice for Indiana’s corn farmers. The law strictly prohibits the use of checkoff dollars for policy work. That means we must rely on membership dollars and corporate contributions to ensure farmer voices are heard at the statehouse and in Washington, D.C.
Please consider becoming a member. Joining is easy, contact ICGA Industry Affairs Manager Khyla Goodman at kgoodman@incorn.org for details.
Learn More About Checkoff Update
At POET, we believe in cultivating communities and growing the local economy. We have been using biotechnology to create sustainable solutions from local agricultural products for 35 years – ensuring that rural farm families can continue to do what they love for generations to come.
POET purchases corn from local farmers to produce sustainable biofuels and bioproducts. There are five POET Bioprocessing facilities across Indiana: Alexandria, North Manchester, Portland, Shelbyville, and Cloverdale. | poet.com/grain
Witnessing the Statehouse legislative process was an interesting experience
IBrian Warpup Chair ISA Membership and Policy Committee
have been on the Indiana Soybean Alliance’s Membership and Policy Committee for a few years now. Since being the chairman for 2025, I was able to visit the Indiana Statehouse multiple times and see first-hand the process of legislation. The people and resources that are representing the farmers of Indiana, are contributing on your behalf.
Again, it’s important to keep agriculture’s voice within policy because new laws and mandates will always affect how we, as farmers, do business. Whether that is herbicide compliance, water rights or even how county roads funded, we need to be aware of new or introduced bills that affect us moving forward.
This last legislative session, I observed those individuals speaking and representing on your behalf to ensure that our best interest in agriculture is being heard.
Now that spring planting is over, or at least close to finished, we can look back to see how we could have done things differently or adjusted to the weather or field conditions more prudently. Each spring is different, and it seems we always have that one day, that we should’ve just stayed in the barn.
Looking back is always good because that helps us prepare for the next unforeseen circumstance that may show up another year. This spring has been a struggle in most of Indiana, but we still managed to put the crop in the ground. Most days never go as planned in farming. It is impossible to foresee the future with certainty, yet retrospect often reveals opportunities with more strategic planning.
This brings me to Senate Bill 461 Grain Indemnity which was signed by the governor on April 30. SB461 provides stricter oversight of licensees to protect
farmers, who deliver grain for storage or deferred pricing. This bill also strengthens the Indiana grain indemnity corporation board structure to ensure a fair claims process in the event of a grain buyers license being revoked.
This new law doesn’t seem relevant to most, but when you, a family member, a neighbor or even an entire community sells grain to a local elevator or mill, it can have a negative economic impact to many. There have been a few elevator foreclosures in Indiana in the last several years, and this fills the gaps that were learned over those unfortunate business failures.
We have learned from our past and hopefully this new law makes those unforeseen hardships better in the future. Many Indiana farmers and representatives stood beside this bill because they saw the need.
Senate bill 254 and House bill 1127 both biofuel tax credits, had good traction this year in the Statehouse. Although the bills fell short in their efforts, we were able to share the success of the biofuels industry here in Indiana and show the positive impact corn and soybean farmers have on the state.
Continuing forward, farmer representation still needs to be heard because biofuels is one of Indiana’s strongest outputs. Ethanol and biodiesel will again be integral in the discussions moving forward for legislative sessions to come. The more we talk to people of its importance, the easier it is to show its positive impacts on the environment and the economy of Indiana.
This summer, growers can voice concerns and have the opportunity to engage in discussions with legislatures. Please don’t miss this chance.
To Become A Member
Agreeing, and disagreeing, with goals of recently formed MAHA Commission
BY CARSON FORT Government Affairs Manager, American Soybean Association
The Make America Healthy Again
Commission has a goal that most Americans can support – reducing chronic disease in the United States. Created by executive order, the Commission is chaired by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and includes several agency officials as members, including the Secretary of Agriculture and EPA Administrator.
What’s Happening at ASA
Improving public health is a worthy mission that farmers are uniquely positioned to support by providing safe, nutritious food.
Unfortunately, MAHA’s agenda has been influenced by radical environmental groups and online influencers promoting misinformation about seed oils. These voices pose a threat to modern agriculture and public health by casting unfounded doubt on healthy, nutritious, affordable food sources and undermining confidence in scientifically supported practices.
MAHA gained traction after President Trump received a campaign endorsement from then-candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now Secretary of Health and Human Services. Secretary Kennedy has long opposed key elements of conventional agriculture, particularly GMOs and pesticide use. As MAHA became aligned with the president’s platform, seed oils were suddenly placed under scrutiny.
The consequences have been swift and concerning. Some restaurant chains have stopped using seed oils, and online influencers are amplifying pseudoscience. As a result, consumers are questioning the safety of products like soybean oil – despite strong scientific evidence of their health benefits.
Soybean oil is one of the most widely consumed oils in the United States, and its nutritional value is
supported by an extensive body of research. The Food and Drug Administration has issued a qualified health claim stating that soybean oil may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. This claim is based on more than 160 studies, including clinical trials, observational research, reviews and meta-analyses.
While scientific debate is healthy and necessary, the overwhelming consensus from researchers and public health agencies is that soybean oil is safe and beneficial when used in moderation.
This consensus isn’t limited to the United States. Many European countries encourage the consumption of unsaturated fats over saturated fats, and some specifically recommend soybean oil as a healthy alternative to animal fats.
Soy and soy-based products have also been consumed throughout East Asia for millennia, offering a long-term case study in their safety and benefits. Populations in these countries not only maintain diets rich in soy but also tend to experience lower rates of chronic diseases, adding further weight to the health potential of soy.
Unsupported viewpoints
Still, MAHA has elevated unsupported viewpoints that claim seed oils cause inflammation. Linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated fat in seed oils, has been mistakenly blamed for inflammation.
However, research has shown this claim to be misguided. The inflammatory compound of concern is arachidonic acid, which is found in animal products—not in seed oils. Furthermore, some critics attempt to link seed oils to obesity, another chronic disease.
But obesity arises from a combination of dietary patterns, lifestyle factors, and genetics. There is no conclusive evidence that seed oils, or linoleic acid in particular, cause or increase the risk of obesity.
MAHA has also turned its attention to how crops like
soybeans are grown, targeting pesticide use. This is deeply problematic. Pesticides are essential to ensuring a reliable, safe and affordable food supply. They are used in both conventional and organic agriculture and are crucial for managing pests, conserving resources and maintaining productivity.
The United States has one of the most rigorous regulatory systems in the world for pesticide use and residue levels. Under the Food Quality Protection Act, safety limits are set 10 to 100 times lower than levels already deemed safe.
If MAHA continues down this path – targeting seed oils and disparaging pesticide use – the consequences for agriculture and public health could be severe. Soybean oil for human consumption alone accounts for 43 percent of the domestic soy oil market.
A recent economic study commissioned by the United Soybean Board found that removing seed oils would significantly drive up food prices, reduce availability and increase dependence on imported alternatives. It would also hurt farm income and disrupt supply chains.
A reduction in pesticide use would lead to increased crop losses from insects, fungi and weeds, shrinking the food supply and increasing consumer costs.
Farmers, MAHA should be allies
Farmers and the MAHA Commission should be allies in improving America’s health. But the propagation of misinformation threatens that shared mission.
When influential voices within the MAHA community promote unsubstantiated theories and ignore the weight of scientific evidence, they mislead the public and policymakers alike. Several states are already considering laws that would radically reshape the food system – based not on sound science, but on fear and misinformation.
The formation of the MAHA Commission was an opportunity to bring together agriculture and health leaders to address the nation’s chronic disease crisis. That opportunity still exists.
But it requires a shift in focus away from fringe claims and toward evidence-based collaboration. If MAHA is truly committed to improving public health, it must engage with farmers, support science-backed practices, and resist the pull of sensationalism.
In short, the path to a healthier America runs through sound science and responsible farming. It’s time for MAHA to recognize that and act accordingly.
Go to soygrowers.com/news-releases online and click on the MAHA report link for more details.
Corn grower advocates push to open new foreign markets
BY LESLY McNITT, Vice President of Public Policy, National Corn Growers Association
Tariffs have been the talk of the town in Washington during the last several weeks, and their impact on the corn economy is an issue my team and I have been concerned about as our farmers face high input costs and lower corn prices.
But President Donald Trump’s laser focus on trade has also created opportunities for new trade deals that may open new markets that can benefit farmers and rural America.
In a positive sign of forward momentum, the president recently announced a trade agreement that will increase access for American agricultural products to the United Kingdom, including ethanol.
During the announcement, Trump officials indicated that tariffs on U.S. ethanol shipped into that country will be reduced to zero.
According to the White House fact sheet, this opens up an opportunity of up to $700 million worth of increased U.S. ethanol exports.
The president has indicated that he is not stopping with the United Kingdom. He’s focused on deals with other countries and has recently engaged in talks with the Indian government, which is a positive development as the country, with its 1.4 billion consumers, would be a major market for America’s corn growers.
India has long been elusive to U.S. corn growers who have faced many restrictions on exports to the country, particularly with shipments of biotech corn and corn ethanol and its co-products.
Recently, NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr. took part in an online press conference in
which he talked about India’s trade barriers and highlighted the benefits of accessing the country’s market. As he told reporters, India is one of the largest market opportunities for U.S. corn exports, has the world’s largest dairy herd and possesses an ambitious ethanol blending program in need of corn.
The economic boon that such a market would provide corn growers and rural communities would help offset the potential problems growers would experience if retaliation occurred from other countries.
NCGA’s economists have run the numbers, which show the economic benefits of making inroads into the Indian market. Here is what the data tell us:
• If the Indian government were to drop its restrictions on genetically modified corn, it could open the door to $235 million worth of U.S. exports each year.
• If the United States were able to supply India’s sustainable aviation fuel market, it would represent $434 million opportunity for U.S. corn farmers in the first year of access.
• Finally, if dried distillers’ grains were imported into the country, it would result in $13.75 million in imports in year one, growing to an estimated $137.5 million within five years.
Our public and private drumbeat continues as we work to support the administration’s efforts while ensuring our products are front and center during negotiations. We are not stopping with the United Kingdom and India.
We plan to advocate for additional agreements with countries like Vietnam and Kenya, as well. You can follow our efforts by visiting www.ncga. com and support our work by joining your state corn grower organization.
For more on NCGA
Kenneth Hartman
We look forward to updating you on the success of our work. Here’s to unlocking new markets.
NCGA leaders optimistic
The NCGA praised a new bilateral trade agreement that increases access for American agricultural products to the United Kingdom, including ethanol. The agreement was announced by President Donald Trump at a morning press conference at the White House.
“This is great news,” said Illinois farmer and NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr. “We applaud President Trump and his administration for brokering this deal, and we encourage them to continue to include corn, corn ethanol and corn co-products in future bilateral agreements with other countries.”
During the announcement, Trump officials indicated that tariffs on U.S. ethanol will be reduced to zero. According to the White House fact sheet, this covers $700 million worth of U.S. ethanol exports.
NCGA had previously asked the Trump administration for increased ethanol access in the United Kingdom. The country is currently the second largest destination for U.S. ethanol exports, taking in 244 million gallons, which is 12.7 percent of the total U.S. ethanol exports for 2024. Ethanol exports to the UK have steadily increased since 2021.
Hartman also said NCGA fully supports the Trump administration’s effort to forge a new trade relationship with India, and corn growers urge the administration to include corn and corn co-products, such as ethanol and its byproducts, in any final agreement with the South Asian country.
The comments came during an online press conference as NCGA released data showing India would be a valuable market for the nation’s corn growers and benefit rural America should the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to open the market to American goods prove effective.
“We applaud the Trump administration for the trade outreach it is conducting with India, and we will advocate over the next few months to encourage the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to include American corn exports in any new trade agreement it makes with the country,” Hartman said. “Building a more level playing field for all American products to access global markets is exactly what corn growers need, especially as we face a projected third consecutive year of negative returns.”
He added that the organization will continue working directly with the Trump administration and with the media to highlight how beneficial an agreement with India would be for the nation’s corn growers.
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 kgoodman@indianasoybean.com Or, you can go to our website, incornandsoy.org/ membership, to join!
Lifetime Members:
Phil Ramsey
Courtney Kingery Matt-
hew 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
Jordan Caldwell
Mike Shuter
John Baugh
Janice Peterson
Cullen Page
Don Wyss
John Peters
Bruce Herr
Lauren Tolle
Luke Roush
James Wood
Allen Buchanan
Matt Hart
Ron Hudson
Mark Tolle
Carl Kissel
Chris Eck
James Wenning
JR Roesner
William Roesner
Sarah Delbecq
Jim Geller Jr.
C.J. Chalfant
William Gerard
Carey McKibben
Neal Smith
Kent Burton, Rochester, Ind.
“Policy and advocacy work are very important to farmers. With all of the things the policy organizations do in Washington, D.C. and back in our district, it was an easy decision to go ahead and become a lifetime member.”
Yakym: Delivering tax relief for farmers a goal for Ways and Means Committee
BY U.S. REP. RUDY YAKYM, Republican Party, District 2
I’m proud to represent Indiana’s Second District, which plays a vital role in powering our economy and supporting American industries.
It’s the blueprint for the kind of production economy President Trump is striving to create throughout the nation, where agriculture and manufacturing thrive side by side.
From being key producers of soybeans, corn, eggs, dairy, beef, pork, tomatoes and potatoes to building 85 percent of America’s RVs and 60 percent of its artificial knees and hips, Hoosiers in my district don’t just work hard – we deliver.
Our farmers and producers don’t need Washington bureaucrats telling them how to do their jobs – they need a government that works for them, not against them. As a Ways and Means Committee member, I’m fighting to deliver tax relief for our agricultural community and manufacturers, to cut red tape and to roll back the burdensome Biden-era regulations suffocating small businesses and family farms.
As we work to extend and expand President Trump’s tax cuts, I’ve strongly supported immediate expensing for capital expenditures and repealing the death tax. Immediate expensing allows farmers and ranchers to invest in equipment and technology that drive efficiency, boost productivity and keep American agriculture globally competitive.
Repealing the death tax gives confidence that Uncle Sam won’t meddle in the transfer of a family farm to the next generation. These kinds of forward-looking policies help rural communities thrive and ensure our producers
have the tools they need to succeed.
President Trump made a clear promise on the campaign trail: Put America First by cutting back the burdensome regulations imposed by the Biden Administration.
One of the most egregious examples came in 2024 when the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a sweeping rule that would have forced farmers, producers and manufacturers to comply with costly and unnecessary climate-related disclosures.
President Trump eliminated that rule within his first two months back in office, delivering immediate relief to America’s producers.
House Republicans proudly stand with President Trump in restoring common sense to Washington.
In just the past four months, we’ve already repealed 10 damaging Biden-era regulations, ranging from rules targeting rubber tire manufacturers and domestic energy producers to red tape affecting the walk-in coolers used by farms and rural small businesses. These are important wins for American industry and agriculture, but there’s more work ahead, and we’re committed to getting it done.
I will always fight to protect the future of Indiana agriculture, because when our agricultural community and manufacturers succeed, America succeeds.
U.S. Rep. Rudy Yakym (R-Dist. 2), above left, speaks to a group of farmers during a Shop Talk meeting near Bremen, Ind., last year. In the photo at right, Yakym speaks with Bremen farmer Joe Stoller and LaCrosse farmer Denise Scarborough about policy issues. Both Stoller and Scarborough are members of the ISA’s Membership & Policy Committee.
Mrvan: House Appropriations Committee best place to create bipartisan legislation
BY REP. FRANK MRVAN, Democratic Party, Indiana District 1
Throughout my tenure as the Representative for Indiana’s First Congressional District, I have deeply appreciated the dedicated work and invaluable economic contributions of our state’s agricultural industry. I always enjoy the opportunity to meet with farmers in Northwest Indiana and hear first-hand about the latest crop season, current prices of agricultural goods, and perspectives on the policy discussions and their potential implications on markets and operations.
As we begin the first session of the 119th Congress, I am thrilled that my colleagues elected me to serve on the House Appropriations Committee. I have sought to serve on the Appropriations Committee since day one because I believe that it is the best place to work in a bipartisan fashion to solve problems and advocate for the Northwest Indiana region and our state.
While I am a member of the Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee and the Energy and Water Development Subcommittee, I look forward to being involved with the critical work of all of the Subcommittees, including the Agriculture Subcommittee and its important work to provide oversight, funding and direction for federal programs through the United States Department of Agriculture.
Additionally, I am continuing to closely monitor the actions of the House Agriculture Committee related to the reauthorization of the farm bill. I am committed to advancing a farm bill that supports America’s farmers and the families they feed.
I believe that we should continue to support a robust crop insurance program, voluntary and incentive-based federal conservation programs, the Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development program to ensure that the United States continues to gain access to new markets for our agriculture products and maintain the importance of critical nutrition and food programs.
I understand that the current law has been extended until Sept. 30, and I look forward to working with all of my Congressional colleagues to complete this work as soon as possible.
Finally, I want to thank the Indiana Soybean Alliance and the Indiana Corn Growers Association for their consistent good work, outreach initiatives, and the opportunity to contribute to this publication. I look forward to staying in touch and informed of your perspectives, as well as that of all members of the Indiana agricultural community, as we move forward in the 119th Congress and the consideration of Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations measures and the Farm Bill reauthorization.
U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan (D-Dist. 1) visited the Chesterton, Ind., farm of Indiana Corn Growers Association board director Tom Murphy last year. Mrvan and Murphy discussed farm bill priorities and other policy issues facing Indiana farmers.
Clean Fuels launches advertising campaign to boost biodiesel volumes in the 2026 RFS
BY PAUL WINTERS, Director of Public Affairs and Federal Communications Clean Fuels Alliance America
In March of this year, Clean Fuels, the American Soybean Association, the National Oilseed Processors Association and other farm and feedstock groups sent a letter asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to quickly propose 2026 Renewable Fuel Standards and set Biomass-based Diesel (BBD) volumes at 5.25 billion gallons.
In April, Clean Fuels launched a six-figure advertising campaign to back up the industry’s request and build support for EPA to adopt the requested step change in BBD volumes.
Clean Fuels continues to work with allied groups to spread awareness of the unified position on RFS volumes. The groups are asking all members to write elected officials, engage in social media and educate local news outlets about the importance of the RFS.
Timely, robust RFS volumes are needed to revive languishing biodiesel and renewable diesel production as well as crop values. They’re also needed to support major investments the industry has already made.
report, the U.S. biomass-based diesel industry supports a total of 107,400 jobs and contributes $42.4 billion to the U.S. economy.
Within that total, 30,600 jobs are in oilseed production, bringing a $15.3 billion economic impact to soybean growing states. An additional 8,600 jobs are in oilseed processing.
Biodiesel and renewable diesel production supports 10 percent of the value of every bushel of soybeans grown in the United States. The U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel industry used more than 1 billion pounds of domestic soybean oil each month throughout 2024 – an increase of 15 percent since 2022. That level of demand supported $1.10 in value for every bushel of soybeans grown in the United States.
American fuel producers and soybean processors invested billions of dollars during the last five years to increase U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel production. The industry’s capacity is currently at 6.5 billion gallons –up from just 3.5 billion gallons in 2020. According to a new report from GlobalData, commissioned by Clean Fuels, capacity for biodiesel, renewable diesel, and SAF could expand to 7.3 billion gallons in 2026, if current projects move forward.
Continued growth will drive more economic value for farmers. According to Clean Fuels’ GlobalData
The soybean industry is ready to meet the volumes. According to an analysis by S&P Global on behalf of NOPA, the soybean processing industry has invested more than $6 billion to expand or build 20 crush facilities across 10 Midwest states.
The investments will support 1.4 billion additional gallons of U.S. production by 2030 – with enough capacity coming online by 2026 to support the 5.25-billion-gallon goal.
Demand for biomass-based diesel is strong and growing. The U.S. market for biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel topped 5.1 billion gallons in 2024. The Energy Information Administration in its April 2025 Annual Energy Outlook projects demand to reach 5.5 billion gallons in 2026.
With jobs, economic growth, and major investments at stake, Clean Fuels will continue to work with allied groups and make the case for EPA to adopt robust RFS volumes that unleash American biodiesel and renewable diesel production.
About Clean Fuels Alliance America
High Performance Low Carbon Liquid Fuels Summit touts future for ethanol, biodiesel
BY ANITA SHARKEY
The 2025 High Performance Low Carbon Liquid Fuels Summit, May 6-7 at the headquarters of the Indianapolis Colts, brought together farmers, fuel retailers and biofuels advocates to explore the growing potential of corn-based ethanol and soybeanbased biodiesel. Hosted by the Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and the Indiana Soybean Alliance Membership and Policy Committee, the event featured experts on decarbonization, policy, infrastructure and innovation.
Biofuels Benefit Farmers, Consumers, the Environment
Biofuels play a critical role in Indiana’s economy. Fortythree percent of its corn supports ethanol production, and the state’s largest biodiesel plant processes more than 300 million pounds of soybean oil annually. These fuels support tens of thousands of jobs, boost farm incomes, reduce emissions and offer strong export potential.
“Ethanol is more than a fuel or fuel additive. It’s a performance-enhancing, low-carbon, octane source made from renewable corn,” said ICGA President Chris Cherry, a farmer from New Palestine. “It improves air quality, is good for the environment and costs less at the pump. At ICGA,
Steve Howell, Senior Director of Industry Affairs for ICGA and ISA, introduces speakers for a panel discussion about Indiana policy and biofuels. The speakers, from left, include Lawrence McCormack of Cummins, Jeff Earl of Clean Fules Alliance America, Dallas Gerber of Growth Energy, and Jeff Wilkerson of Pearson Fuels.
we are incredibly excited to focus this event on helping retailers discover and capitalize on the tangible value of adding higher ethanol blends to their stations. In a race for retailer profitability, ethanol is a winner.”
David Hardin, a farmer from Avon who serves on the Indiana Soybean Alliance’s Membership & Policy Committee, echoed the enthusiasm for plant-based energy. “Biodiesel is clean burning, and it can be used in any diesel engine without making any modifications. Biodiesel is commercially available nationwide, and it is today’s solution for heavy-duty trucking, emergency vehicles, bus fleets and farm equipment.”
Wally’s Travel Center is constructing a massive new fuel station near the I-65 exit in Whitestown that will feature several new ethanol pumps. Nate Hale, director of construction and facilities at Wally’s, said he came into the industry with a healthy skepticism of biofuels. “I’ve always supported agriculture, but I was aware of the stigma around biofuels. I needed to see the results for myself – and now I’m a believer,” Hale said. “There’s a real opportunity to educate consumers on what they’re
ISA, ICMC and ICGA CEO Courtney Kingery, second from left, poses with partners from the local sports businesses. These partners include, from left, Mel Raines, CEO of Pacers Sports and Entertainment; Jill Gregory, President of Andretti Global; and Roger VanDerSnick, Chief Commercial Officer of the Indianapolis Colts.
spending at the pump and to unify our message. If we can bring retailers, consumers and the biofuels industry together, we can tell a stronger, clearer story about ethanol’s value.”
Tax incentives for Indiana
During a panel discussion about state policy, speakers talked about the recent biofuels tax incentives bill, which didn’t advance in this year’s legislative session. However, panelists expressed optimism for future progress, noting the absence of opposition as a positive sign.
Dallas Gerber of Growth Energy and Lawrence McCormack of Cummins emphasized the importance of continued engagement with lawmakers and raising public awareness. “I think we can build on the progress we had this year,” McCormack said, expressing confidence that increased awareness will help move the bill forward in upcoming sessions.
Steve Howell, ISA and ICGA senior director of industry affairs, added “We can leverage our advocacy moving forward to benefit the biofuels industry.” Jeff Earl from Clean Fuels Alliance America encouraged the audience to “continue to invest in your champions, whether it’s in the statehouse or this coalition, to make sure they’re invested in the success of the issue.” Gerber urged industry leaders to “weather the storm and make sure we stay consistent on our message.”
That collaborative spirit was a key takeaway from the event. The room was filled with diverse voices – retailers, farmers, fuel companies and industry leaders – all with a shared goal. By working together, these voices can elevate the message around biofuels and deliver benefits across the board, from producers to end consumers.
The two-day program featured many industry experts and covered topics pertinent to all involved in the biofuels industry.
The keynote speech by John Eichberger, executive director of the Transportation and Energy Institute, explained that the push to remove carbon from the environment does not mean that all vehicles and machinery should be powered by electricity. In many cases, he said, low carbon solutions can come from renewable liquid fuels.
Federal government policies
In a panel discussion about how federal government policies and regulations affect the biofuels industry, David Cobb of Clean Fuels Alliance America said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency could help by increasing its Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) number under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) to 5.25 billion gallons in 2026. Cobb said U.S. biodiesel producers can make that much, and he believes there is a market for it.
On May 7, a panel discussed all of the many ways biofuels can be used. Mark Ingebretson of the U.S. Grains Council said there is a potentially bright future for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), but many infrastructure and regulatory hurdles need to be cleared. Increasing the
Avon, Ind., farmer David Hardin, who is a member of the Indiana Soybean Alliance’s Membership and Policy Committee, stresses the value of biofuels on the farm economy.
The annual High Performance Low Carbon Liquid Fuels Summit was May 6-7 in the Gridiron Hall at the Indianapolis Colts headquarters.
use of biodiesel in large-scale public and private fleets also needs to be encouraged.
Wrapping up the program, Courtney Kingery, CEO of ICGA, the Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC) and the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA), talked to Roger VanDerSnick, Chief Commercial Officer for the Indianapolis Colts, Mel Raines, CEO for Pacers Sports and Entertainment and Jill Gregory, President of Andretti Global about securing strong partnerships.
ISA has created partnerships with the Indiana Pacers and the Indianapolis Colts as their home venues now prepare their concession food in high oleic soybean oil. Andretti INDYCAR is a partner through ISA’s B20 Club program, which recognizes transportation fleets that commit to using a 20 percent blend of biodiesel with regular diesel.
Summit speakers and partners
ICMC and ISA Director of Market Development – Biofuels Helena Jette, at left, hosts an Indiana biodiesel panel discussion with, from left, Mike Roeth of the North American Council of Freight Efficiency, Karl Thomas of Optimus Technologies, Jason Armes of the Carmel Street Department, and Bobby Humphrey of Argos Connected Solutions.
Many sponsors contributed to the success of the Summit including the B20 Club of Indiana, Valero, Family Express, First Farmers Bank & Trust, Indiana Ethanol Producers Association, ICMC, ISA, Growth Energy, Indiana Food and Fuel Association, John Deere, National Corn Growers Association, Corteva Agriscience, Clean Fuels Alliance America, eFlexFuel Technology, CIE, Vault 44.01, S&P Global, Indigenous Energy, Cardinal Ethanol and American Soybean Association.
“Every successful venture requires partners,” said ICMC President Tim Gauck, a farmer from Greensburg. “Farmers need fuel retailers to offer higher blends of ethanol to consumers, and we need advocates like the Indiana Corn Growers Association, the Renewable Fuels Association and others to make sure that any legislative challenges to ethanol can be overcome. One of our priorities is to spark conversation and collaboration across the ethanol industry. This event supports that mission.”
This year’s Summit included several featured speakers and panel discussions with biofuels experts from around the world. Some of the speakers and topics were:
• Big Picture Supply Chain to Global Market –Feeding and Fueling the World – presented by Ken Erikson, founder of Polaris Analytics and Consulting.
• The Future of Renewable Fuels Federal Policy and Regulation – Panel with Geoff Moody of the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers, David Cobb of Clean Fuels Alliance America, Michael Hartrick of the Environment and Energy Policy Alliance for Automotive Innovation and moderated by John Eichberger of Transportation and Energy Institute.
• Advancements in Biofuel Infrastructure and Innovation for Fuel Retailers – Panel with Nate Hale of fuel retailer Wally’s, Ron English of J.T. Petroleum, Jeff Dzierzanowski of Source North America Corp., Jeff Wilkerson of Pearson Fuels and moderated by Helena Jette of ICMC and ISA.
• State Policy Landscape. Laying the Foundation for Growth in Indiana – Panel with Jeff Wilkerson of Pearson Fuels, Jeff Earl of Clean Fuels Alliance America, Lawrence McCormack of Cummins Inc., Dallas Gerber of Growth Energy and moderated by Steve Howell of ICGA and ISA.
• Purdue Ethanol Initiatives – Panel with Dr. Gregory Shaver of Purdue University, Matt Hunt of Purdue University, Juha Honkasalo of eFlexFuel Technologies and moderated by Helena Jette of of ICMC and ISA.
• Indiana Biodiesel Wins – Panel with Karl Thomas of Optimus Technology, Jason Armes of Carmel Street Department, Bobby Humphrey of Argos Connect Solutions (Geotab), Mike Roeth of North American Council of Freight Efficiency and moderated by Helena Jette of ICMC and ISA.
• Land, Air and Sea: Biofuels Tactics – Panel with Mark Ingebretson of U.S. Grains Council; David Cobb of Clean Fuels Alliance America; Jamey Cline of Christianson PLLP, Hugh Caperton of Vault 4401 and moderated by Jackie Hayes of Whitefox Technologies.
• How the Political Landscapes Shape the Market Dynamics of Fossil and Biofuel Consumption, Production and International Trade – presented by Debnil Chowdhury, Head of Western Hemisphere Fuels and Refining Research for S&P Global.
From a small Indiana town, Williams cares for the world’s poor and hungry
BY DAVE BLOWER JR.
Like the song by John Mellencamp, Craig Williams was born in a small town, and he lives in a small town – Oaktown, Ind. But that doesn’t mean that his world is small.
Williams has a heart for the poor and hungry around the world. Through family and friends, Williams works to drill clean water wells in the African country of Ghana along with private charities Jacob’s Well and the Micah 6:8 project. See a related story about these programs on page 21.
Through participation on the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) board, Williams has become vice chair of the American Soybean Association’s World Initiatives for Soy in Human Health (WISHH). This division of ASA builds the U.S. Soy trade through the improvement of health, nutrition and food security in emerging nations. WISHH develops agricultural value chains in emerging markets, creating trade and longterm demand for U.S. soy. Through triumph and tragedy and sorrow and celebration, Williams simply says, “God has had a plan for my life that I never could have predicted.”
retiring Pioneer seed dealer’s agency, Rowe Sargent,” he said. “I had the chance to come home and take over the Pioneer seed agency from a retiring dealer, Rowe Sargent,” he said. “Rowe invited me out to take a look, and we worked out the details for when I’d take over the business. At the time, things weren’t going all that well with my job, and then, out of the blue, a neighbor called and offered to rent me some farmland—all in the same year. Looking back, it really feels like it was meant to be. But at the time, I was scared to death.”
Craig Williams of Oaktown, Ind., is the vice chair of ASA’s World Initiatives for Soy in Human Health (WISHH). He represents farmers in the program that tries to develop new markets for U.S. Soy in emerging nations.
Seeking public service
Williams credits his parents and his farm-life upbringing for instilling a work ethic in him. Along with that, though, Williams thanks a mentor, Rowe D. Sargent, with encouraging him to give back to the communities that support him.
After graduating from Purdue, Williams was looking for an opportunity to work in agriculture.
“I had an opportunity to come home and take over a
Through that process, Sargent emphasized the importance of giving back to the agricultural community. In addition to his military service and professional career, he served as a Knox County Commissioner, a school board member for North Knox Schools, and represented farmers on both the Indiana and national corn boards. His wife, Maridell, was a strong supporter of those efforts.
“Community involvement was really high on their list,” Williams said. “Like I said, my parents instilled in me my drive, my work ethic. But I give Rowe and Maridell a lot of credit for that desire to be involved in the community and to step into roles where you can help, when you are able.”
ISA and WISHH
Due to an opening on the ISA board, Williams applied and was elected in 2013. Admittedly, he wanted to make sure that checkoff dollars were spent wisely. During his nine years on the board, Williams said he learned of the checkoff’s essential work and valuable partners such as WISHH.
Initially, Williams explained, he didn’t know much about WISHH or its mission.
“Our WISHH representative on the ISA board was terming off,” he said. “We needed a new Indiana representative at WISHH. My wife and I were working in Ghana with Micah 6:8 and Jacob’s Wells for probably three years at that time. After a meeting, ISA’s CEO at the time, Jane Ade Stevens, introduced me to Jim Hershey who was the leader at WISHH. Jane said we needed to share our experiences.”
Hershey explained that WISHH was beginning projects in Ghana, and that they work with long-term goals in mind.
“I thought, if WISHH is working in Ghana, and we’re already there, then this is a natural fit for me,” he said. “So, I threw my hat in the ring, and the board elected me to represent them on WISHH. I’ve been there ever since.”
Becoming a farmer
Williams explained that he’s wanted to be a farmer for most of his life. But in a twist, his father hoped Williams would find more reliable employment off the farm.
“Dad had corn and soybeans, and they also had produce,” he said. “We have Sandy Ridge Melon Market right here on U.S. 41. They grew, or still grow, watermelons, cantaloupe, sweet corn, tomatoes –everything that you would expect from a roadside market. And he’s built up a loyal wholesale business. And we also had the hogs; a farrow-to-finish hog operation that I grew up in.”
He added that his father was building a farm in the 1980s, which was a difficult time for most farmers.
“I fell in love with the work and everything about farming,” Williams said. “Putting the seed in the ground and doing the little things that I can to try to get it off to a good start – just the amazement of watching it grow
and produce a crop. It’s just a really amazing way to make a living.”
His father encouraged Williams to get an education. First, he attended Vincennes University. He met his wife, Kim, while working at a grocery store in Vincennes. Williams then went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Ag Economics from Purdue University.
“I think he was trying, or hoping, that I would maybe find something else, but all I wanted to do was farm,” he said.
That is when Williams met Rowe Sargent, took over the Pioneer seed agency and rented farm ground from a neighbor.
Keeping an eye on ag policy
Although WISHH takes a long-term strategy at developing export markets in emerging nations, Williams is aware that it is a part of ASA, the national soybean policy organization. As a result, he keeps a close eye on both state and federal issues. He said the biggest national issue is tariffs on products imported into the United States.
“When it comes to trade with China, farmers are usually at the tip of the spear,” Williams said. “When they retaliate, it’s almost always directed at ag because that’s one of their largest imports. We need to be in contact with our legislators and ask them how they can soften that blow.”
In Indiana, property taxes dominated discussions at the Statehouse.
“Property taxes are a big concern for a lot of farmers,” Williams said. “I guess that’s a tough one for me to walk because I’ve got a daughter who’s a teacher, and I’ve got a son-in-law who now is a teacher. As much as I would love property tax relief, I don’t want it to come at the cost of my local school, the local school teachers, and making their lives harder than they already are. For me, that’s a tightrope to walk.”
Although he has had other jobs, Craig Williams said he always wanted to be a farmer.
When not travelling around the world with Jacob’s Wells or WISHH, Craig Williams is happy working his southwestern Indiana farm.
Jacob’s Wells brings clean water to several villages across Ghana
BY DAVE BLOWER JR.
Jacob Williams was a lively, vibrant young man who touched many lives during his 15 years on Earth. He was the son of Craig and Kim Williams, farmers in Oaktown, Ind. He was a friend and role model for young children and an athlete growing in strength and talent.
In June 2017, Jacob tragically passed away in a swimming accident. To honor his memory, Jacob’s Wells was established. Jacob’s Wells is a non-profit organization under The Micah 6:8 Project.
Kim and Christy Farhar, a close friend and founder of The Micah 6:8 Project, have made many trips to Ghana. Jacob loved playing with and mentoring young kids, so it seemed right to build water wells in Ghana to bring life-sustaining water to villages full of children.
“When Jacob passed away, we were thinking about building a school in Ghana; then we realized their need for water,” Kim said. “I remember sitting on the front porch with Christy and friends who were there with me right after Jacob died – before the funeral, actually. And Christy said, ‘I think we need to start a project called Jacob’s Wells.’ I don’t remember much from those early days after he passed. It’s very much of a blur. I honestly don’t. There are just little snippets of things from that first year that I remember, but that’s where the thought of Jacob’s Wells was born.”
The Micah 6:8 Project is trying to break a cycle of slavery around Lake Volta in Ghana. This project offers education and vocational school, medical help and, of course, clean water.
“When the land was flooded to create Lake Volta for hydroelectric power, it kind of backfired,” Kim said. “What was created was an industry of fishing and using very fine nets. The small fish would get caught in these fine nets, and they’d use the little nimble fingers of the young boys, and some girls, to get those fish out of the nets. You’ll see boys, probably 10 to 13 years old, it’s hard to tell because they’re so little. But they’re muscular from pulling all these huge, heavy nets in all the time. They fish through the night. Many kids drown because it’s flooded land, and the nets get caught on trees and debris. The slave owners will make them dive under to free the nets.”
Craig added, “They’re more worried about their nets than they are the kids because they can always get another kid.”
Nevertheless, the Williamses believe they are making a difference in a far-away community. Jacob’s Wells has drilled 28 new wells throughout the southern two-thirds of Ghana. The northern third is dangerous with crime and corruption, Craig said. He is pleased with the response to Jacob’s Wells.
“The people are so poor, I mean, just poverty that we can’t even imagine,” Craig explained. “Yet, they were really big on ceremony. They really want to say thank you. They had to work so hard just to get dirty water. To have clean water come up out of the ground is amazing for them.”
For more about Micah 6:8 and Jacob’s Wells, read Deep Waters, a book written by Rachel Hayden and Christy Farhar.
Craig and Kim Williams hold a photo of their son, Jacob, who died in a swimming accident in 2017. The picture in the upper left corner was painted by Kwame Dadzie, who works with Jacob’s Wells identifying sites for wells. Kwame said the image came to him in a dream.
Lab-grade, food-grade film wins soybean innovation competition
BY DAVE BLOWER JR.
Aself-adhesive, lab-grade and food-grade film called SoyShield earned the $20,000 grand prize in the 31st annual Student Soybean Innovation Competition during the awards ceremony on March26 at the Purdue Memorial Union in West Lafayette, Ind. This year’s event added a new soy-based food innovation track, which was won by a high-protein snack called Soy Straws.
The Student Soybean Innovation Competition is a partnership between the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) and Purdue University. ISA awarded more than $35,000 to four teams that created new products in the industry track. In the soy-based food track, five teams earned a total of $11,000. To win these competitions, Purdue University students must develop innovative applications for soybeans. More than 100 students completed the competition through the two tracks comprised of 31 teams.
“The goal of the competition is to highlight the versatility of soybeans while addressing a need in agriculture or the general public,” said ISA Board Chair Denise Scarborough, a farmer from LaCrosse, Ind. “ISA looks forward to working with Purdue students each year and seeing what unique products they create. The products made by these students can expand opportunities and markets for all Indiana soybean growers. We are excited about SoyShield and Soy Straws.”
and natural resource engineering. Each team works with two faculty advisors who provide technical and market research support. Many advisors worked with more than one team of students.
SoyShield wins top industrial prize
SoyShield is a 100 percent biodegradable, highly elastic, self-adhesive lab-grade and foodgrade film designed to be used in commercial laboratory settings for sealing chemical containers, while also being suitable for home use as an alternative to plastic wrap. SoyShield was created by Purdue University students Claire Eckhardt, Nicholas Emge and Leah Hartzell.
Taking the $20,000 top prize in the Student Soybean Innovation Competition were the creators of SoyShield, a self-adhesive, lab-grade and food-grade film. The winning team includes, from left, Leah Hartzell of Miami, Fla.; Claire Eckhardt of Albuquerque, N.M. A third team member, Nicholas Emge, O’Fallon, Mo., could not attend the ceremony because he is studying abroad.
Nineteen teams of 62 students with 21 faculty advisors competed in the industrial soy products track.
The students involved in the competition represented a variety of majors including agronomy, biological engineering, animal science, pharmacy and environmental
Both Eckhardt and Emge are sophomores majoring in environmental and natural resources engineering. Eckhardt is from Albuquerque, N.M., and Emge is from O’Fallon, Mo. Hartzell is a sophomore from Miami, Fla., majoring in agricultural engineering. Originally intended for a laboratory market, SoyShield is an environmentally friendly alternative to petroleumbased films. The SoyShield team said there is a growing need for biodegradable solutions for one-use-only materials as many university-based laboratories are adopting new environmental standards. Due to its soybean ingredients, SoyShield has the added benefit of being able to replace plastic wrap in kitchens for preserving food. Because SoyShield is permeable, there may be additional uses for this product.
“In the home consumer market, there is a great need for elastic films to seal food,” Eckhardt said. “Additionally, the permeable and compostable nature of SoyShield
Soy Innovations Developed by Future Leaders
makes it much less of a choking hazard for children in the home compared to non-permeable plastic counterparts currently on the market.”
Each student said they were pleased with the experience of participating in the Student Soybean Innovation Competition.
“Participating in this competition has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” Hartzell said.
Past and present board directors of the Indiana
“Co-creating SoyShield has helped me gain a deeper understanding of the business and marketing aspects of a project rather than solely focusing on technical skills. Being able to see our vision come to life in the lab and then working with my teammates to continually improve our prototype was such a gratifying process.”
Dr. Rodolfo Pinal People’s Choice Award
In addition to the other prizes, the more than 400 attendees of the Student Soybean Innovation Competition Awards Ceremony could each vote for their favorite product for the $500 People’s Choice award. This prize was officially renamed in honor Dr. Rodolfo
Alliance took part in the annual awards celebration. YEAR .
Pinal, Associate Professor of Industrial and Molecular Pharmaceutics who died in December 2024. Pinal was a frequent faculty advisor for students in this competition, many of whom were prize winners, including the past two winning teams.
This year’s award went to SoyCare, soybean-based diapers that provide a cost-effective, highly biodegradable and renewable solution to meet a growing demand. The integration of soy-based absorbent technology and soy-derived fabric ensures high absorbency, comfort and complete biodegradability – which is important with diapers significantly filling U.S. landfills.
The SoyCare team members include Soumil Gupta, who
ISA Student Soybean Innovation Competition winners
1995 Crayon
1996 Fire starter
1997 Birthday candle
1998 Ski wax
Jocelyn Wong, Thomas Chang and Don Rode
Amy Khal and Brian Beales
Amy Khal, Rahul Nair and Adam Watkins
Ryan Howard and Faye Mulvaney
1999 ......... Cereal ........................ Aaron Davis, Jon Gray and Laura Zimmer
2000 Gel (tie)
2000 Cracker (tie)
2001 Heating fuel
2002 Marker
Ryan Howard and Faye Mulvaney
Amanda Zeltner, Melody Marshall and Markelle Grossman
Matt Peter, Louis Cassens and Bekki Kennedy
Brian Costigan, Mindy Durack, Rylie Vance and Amanda Stewart 2003
No Contest
2004 Nail polish remover
2005 Pectin jam
2006 No Contest
2007 No Contest
Ruth Hegarty and Courtney Howard
Phil Dorroll, Courtney Howard and Ruth Hegarty Pinto
2008 ......... Waffle bowl (tie)............... Brian Hunter, Clay Arnett and Todd Case
2008 Clay pigeons (tie)
2009 Cupcake liners
2010 Soy Tabs excipient
2011 Denture cream
2012 ......... Flexible circuit board ..........
2013 Fiber insulation
2014 3D printer material
2015 Air freshener
2016 Exfoliating bead
2017 Air filter
2018 Hydroseeding tech
2019 Drinking straws
2020 Herbicide
2021 Biostimulant
2022 Soy mulch
2023 StyroSoy
2024 SoySilk
2025 SoyShield
Benn Hall, John Mullen, David Conway and Adrien Boeh
Marcianne Colglazier, Victoria Horton, Erin Rosswurm and Anna Verseman
Danielle Carpenter, Krista Eakins, Ryan Fox and Brittany Phillips
Manaz Taleyarkhan, Ankit Gupta, Alvin Ang and David Barron
Aniruddha Kelkar, Carmen Valverde-Paniagua and Anand Venkatesan
Anshu Gupta, John Grace and Solwoo Kim
Carmen Valverde-Paniagua, Nicole Devlin and Yanssen Tandy
Evan Anderson, Sean Anderson and Sara Richert
Samuel Lewis, Steve Ferris, Alison Switzer and Ryan Pendergast
Anderson Smith, Andrew Huang, Sushant Mehan and Samaneh Saadat
Terence Babb, Susan Hubbard, Jacob Semonis and Christopher Stichter
Morgan Malm, Ruth Zhong and Natalie Stephenson
Alyson Chaney and Peyton Clark
Cai Chen, Nathaniel Nauman and Emmanuel Alagbe
Libby Plassard, Ethan Miller and Zuhal Cakir
Alyssa Choi, Amy Tang, Valeria Tellez Gallego and Louis Edwards Caceres-Martinez
Kyle Han and Ben Gottlieb
Leah Hartzell, Claire Eckhardt and Nicholas Emge
Soybean
plans to major in chemical engineering; Mary Busayo Oluyemi, a doctoral student in the Department of Food Science; and Himanjali Tavva, a freshman food science major.
Additional industrial track winners
Earning second place this year, and a $10,000 prize, were the creators of SoySleek, a soy-based shampoo bar. SoySleek is made with natural, chemical-free ingredients. Each ingredient was chosen to produce healthy, shiny hair that maintains the hair’s natural oils and color. The bar is concentrated with cleansing, longevity, and eco-friendly properties.
The SoySleek team members include three Purdue sophomores including Riya Miglani, a biological engineering major; Shreya Prakash, a mechanical engineering major; and Angelus Vanhappilly, an industrial engineering major.
Finishing third, and earning a $5,000 prize, were the creators of PuraSoy, a multi-purpose pad. PuraSoy is a 100 percent soy-based, dry multi-purpose pad product made with two pure soy-based ingredients. It is gentle on a variety of surfaces including skin, face, glassware and dishes. PuraSoy has a silky feeling and has soybeans incorporated in every aspect of the production process, including the base pad and the wax used. The PuraSoy team consists of Jocelyn Erickson, a freshman majoring in industrial engineering, and Jessica Parks, a freshman majoring in supply chain and operations management.
This year’s industrial track judges included four ISA board members: Allen Buchanan of Fowler, Ind.; David Hardin of Avon, Ind.; Roger Wenning of Greensburg, Ind.; and Brian Warpup of Warren, Ind. Also three industry experts served as judges including Dan Dawes with AgriNovus, Dr. Clayton Westerman of BioBond Adhesives and Brit Walker with ADM.
Industry working with students
The contest introduces Purdue students to the multifaceted uses and vast potential of soybeans while drawing on students’ creativity to develop products that utilize soy.
“Indiana soybean checkoff funds are used, in part, to find
ISA Chair Denise Scarborough, a farmer from LaCrosse, Ind., says the goal of the competition is to highlight the versatility of soybeans while addressing a need in agriculture or the general public.
new uses and new markets for our soybeans – creating more demand and higher value uses to help our farms to be more profitable and sustainable,” said ISA Board Director Jenna Scott, a farmer from Muncie, Ind., at chair of ISA’s Sustainability and Value Creation Committee. “The Student Soybean Innovation Competition allows ISA to create relationships with bright and creative students and their advisors at Purdue. Products from this contest have the potential to help us increase the value of the soybeans we grow.”
Indiana soybean farmers’ investment in finding new soybean innovations is not limited to the competition. The state soybean checkoff also funds the Soybean Utilization Endowed Chair at Purdue’s College of Agriculture, Dr. Nathan Mosier, to lead research into new uses for soybeans. Also attending the awards ceremony was United Soybean Board CEO Lucas Lentsch. The United Soybean Board is the national soybean checkoff program, and Lentsch said developing new products is a focus for the future.
Go online to bit.ly/soycompetition for more details on ISA’s investment in soybean innovation. To watch the awards ceremony, go online to Purdue’s YouTube page at bit.ly/SSIClivestream
Purdue University students wait to hear as the winners are announced.
Members of each competing team showcased their products to visitors during the awards celebration.
Soy Straws team earns first prize in soy-based food innovation track
BY DAVE BLOWER JR.
The soy-based food innovation track was a new addition to this year’s Student Soybean Innovation Competition. The competition required students to develop novel, high-protein snack items using soy.
In total, 12 teams all of whom are College of Agriculture students who worked with Purdue Food Science Department to create products made with the food grade facilities on campus competed for top prize.
Soy Straws, a lightweight, shelf-stable snack that resembles an egg roll cookie from Spain called a barquilleros, earned the $5,000 top prize in the first-ever Student Soy Food Competition. The creators of Soy Straws said they offer the ability to deliver a variety of flavors and a simple manufacturing process.
miso paste, curry powder and soy sauce. The Purdue students who make up Team Senbabes are Natcha Ngaosuphanvongs and Karn Phureesitr.
The product’s marketing plan said Soy Straws are a crispy, high protein snack with 15 grams of protein and 0 trans fats. The winning team called themselves The Edemamas and featured Purdue students Anna Hicks, Rong Yang and Sara Thomason.
“Getting crispy products can be a little bit tricky, especially a protein snack,” Hicks said. “It can be a little bit tricky to get the textures you want. There is a lot of trial and error with different formulations to get the texture you want. We were really excited when we were brainstorming because those crispy round snacks aren’t currently on the market.”
Additional food track winners
Earning the $3,000 second prize was Team Senbabes, which created a snack called Senbae that is based on a traditional Japanese rice cracker. The developers of Senbae said these soy-based snacks include vital micronutrient and antioxidant properties that are beneficial for consumers. The crackers come in flavors such as
Taking the $2,000 third prize was a plant-based jerky called Tempehrados. This jerky combines a nutritious Indonesian food known as tempeh with bold Mexican flavors such as Chile Ancho, Chile Colorado and Chili Flakes. Tempeh is rich in vitamins and minerals, including riboflavin and manganese. All of the Mexican flavors are balanced with the sweetness of natural honey. The Tempehrados team is made up of three Purdue students: Shams Adigozalzade, Claudia Guillen and Nicolas Rosy. The food track judges were ISA Board Directors, Jenna Scott and Andrew McDaniel, a farmer from Waldron, Ind., Soy Nutrition Institute Global CEO Julie Ohmen, Purdue Food Science professor Dr. Owen Jones and Egglife Foods Research and Development scientist Audra Craft.
Earning the $5,000 first prize in the food track were the developers of a high-protein snack called Soy Straws.
The winning team called themselves The Edemamas and featured Purdue students Anna Hicks, Sara Thomason and Rong Yang.
The winning team called themselves The Edemamas and featured Purdue students Anna Hicks, Rong Yang and Sara Thomason.
Rain, roots and results: Conservation delivers outcomes for Hodgen Farms
BY AMIE SIMPSON
When heavy rains swept across parts of Indiana this spring, the fields at Hodgen Farms in Putnam County remained firm – a testament to years of conservationminded decisions. Paul Hodgen describes how a combination of grassed waterways, filter strips and no- or minimum-till helped keep everything in place after a rain event.
“We have filter strips designed to capture sediment and keep the nutrients on the farm before it enters nearby streams. The field next to the filter strip has minimum tillage where we worked the very top inch of the soil,” he said. “A recent heavy rain event washed away some corn stalks, but it took very little soil. Even though there was a channel flowing in that area because of excess rainfall, there was very little soil loss or scarring because of the conservation tillage practice we deployed here.”
recent rainfall. It has also increased earthworm populations by enhancing root development and improving overall soil health.”
Grazing cover crops for profit
Cover crops have also led to a return on investment. Hodgen grows wheat as a cover crop and a feed source for cattle.
“In addition to the agronomic benefits, we still need to make money. One of the ways we save money is by allowing our cattle to graze the cover crop. Reducing the cost of hay was a driving force behind us adopting cover crops,” he said. “Grazing forage crops is one of the cheapest ways to increase calf weight. We’ve really tried to diversify our operation and bring more acres into production where we have both a grain crop and then also a beef crop.”
Hodgen Farms is a diversified grain and livestock operation in west central Indiana. The family raises corn, soybeans, wheat, commercial cattle and some 4-H animals. Surface water quality is important to the operation because Big Raccoon Creek flows through most of their acres and feeds into one of the largest recreational lakes in the state.
“We try to do our part to ensure that there’s clean water for people to enjoy during the summer,” he says. “If we can keep the soil on the field through a combination of these conservation practices, then we can reduce downstream problems in surface water quality.”
Hodgen has seen the benefits of conservation practices on his farm firsthand. Cover crops, for example, have led to reduced erosion and improved soil health.
“All the agronomic benefits of using a cover crop are evident on our farm,” he said. “We had minimal erosion after
Wheat is a highly nutritious forage that promotes healthy growth and development.
“Cows love grazing green grass, and the wheat is highly digestible for them and very palatable in this stage,” he said. “We’ve seen higher weights on the calves that have grazed cover crops in the spring.”
Growing knowledge, growing conservation
Hodgen’s journey to adopting cover crops on the farm began about seven years ago. He encourages farmers interested in cover crops to try something, start small and give it time.
“Don’t be afraid to contact another farmer, ask questions and learn from their experience,” he said. “One of the biggest challenges we’ve had with success is aerial
Paul Hodgen has a diversified grain and livestock operation in west central Indiana. He grows wheat, pictured here, as a cover crop and a feed source for cattle.
Read previous Conservation Studies
seeding. It has been hit or miss for us, so we decided our best chance of success was getting it in the ground and getting it done as early as possible. My overall advice is to remember it’s a long-term program, and it takes a couple of years to see the difference.”
As for other conservation practices, he notes that filter strips require some maintenance. They typically wait to mow until late July to support butterfly and bird habitat.
“There are some regulations around when we can and can’t mow,” he said. “We also mow to keep the noxious weeds down. We want good, clean grass here. We don’t need a source of weed seed to get into our fields. Deer, turkey and other wildlife really benefit from having these green spaces.”
Family, wildlife and future generations
Paul farms alongside his wife, Jennie, and his parents, Abe and Shirley Hodgen. After starting their careers and family in St Louis, they felt called to move back to his family farm in Roachdale, Ind., in 2012.
“We’ve not looked back since returning to farming full time and raising our kids here,” he said. “Katie Jo, Sidney, Carlee and Ryan are into raising llamas, chickens and ducks. Our livestock portfolio is diversifying by species because of 4-H. Both my wife and I can see the benefits of raising them in this environment.”
Hodgen has a long-term view on sustainability that has kept him on a conservation-minded path with the next generation in mind.
“Sustainability is very important to us here at Hodgen Farms. This ground is ours to use, but we must keep future generations in mind and keep it in good repair, so they have a high-quality asset that is generating food, fiber, fuel, a livelihood and a way of life,” he said. “If we don’t take care of the land, it won’t take care of us. I know that sounds very cliche, but that’s the heart of it, because one of the fastest ways to limit our success is not taking care of the land. We will continue to maintain soil fertility and conservation
Paul Hodgen has filter strips on his operation designed to capture sediment and keep the nutrients on the farm before water following heavy rains enters nearby streams.
practices and keep the land in good standing order.”
Research and conservation go hand-in-hand on the operation. Hodgen worked in the research field in academia and the private industry before returning to the farm. Research remains important to him still today.
“We do quite a bit of research here between seeding rate, evaluating new hybrids and considering biologicals that either promote root growth or reduce the amount of nitrogen fertilizer needed,” he said. “It’s part of our management practices to evaluate new techniques and products each year.”
For Hodgen, conservation is more than just a set of practices — it’s a commitment to the future. That commitment is reflected in every decision, and it’s a mindset that’s helping them stay resilient, season after season.
Looking for more resources? Farm Advisors is here to help. The farmer-led mentor program, supported by the Indiana Corn Marketing Council and Indiana Soybean Alliance, helps farmers implement conservation practices. Visit farmadvisors.ag for more information.
The cattle graze a field of wheat, which is highly digestible and very palatable.
Opportunities expand as farmers discover new uses for corn stover
BY DAN QUINN, Purdue Extension Corn Specialist BRUNO SCHEFFER, Purdue Agronomy Graduate Research Assistant
As the renewable energy and bioproducts industries continue to grow, Indiana corn farmers are being presented with new opportunities for uses and selling opportunities beyond just the grain, but also the stover (e.g., the leaves, stalks, and cobs that remain after harvest). Corn stover has shown to be a promising feedstock for bioenergy, bioplastics, and other emerging technologies.
Furthermore, Indiana alone produced roughly 30 million tons of corn stover in 2024 and as corn yields continue to increase. The total amount of dry stover produced each year also continues to increase. For many farmers, the prospect of selling stover is an attractive one.
However, certain questions arrive with stover removal and include:
• What essential plant nutrients am I losing with removal?
• How will this affect soil nutrient levels, soil organic matter, and long-term soil quality and health?
That’s because stover isn’t just leftover plant matter, it also contains essential macro and micronutrients which can be recycled back to the soil for the succeeding crops grown. In addition, leaving stover behind also protects against erosion, helps retain moisture, builds soil organic matter, and contributes to longterm carbon storage.
Overall, removing too much can
deplete essential nutrients, reduce fertility, reduce soil quality, and force increased dependence on synthetic fertilizers.
Previous articles and research have found that corn stover baling, while potentially profitable, comes with a cost, which includes nutrient loss (Camberato, 2008). Stover contains valuable crop nutrients that would otherwise be recycled back into the soil.
Essential macronutrients like phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are lost with every ton removed and these nutrients should be figured into the economic equation of removing stover from your field.
For example, previous research has found that on average, every ton of stover contains about 3.6 pounds of P₂O₅ and 20 pounds of K₂O. Therefore, a 150 bushel per acre corn crop has been shown to leave behind about 4 tons of dry stover per acre.
If roughly 60 percent is baled (about 2.5 tons per acre) you’re removing around 9 pounds of P₂O₅ and 50 pounds of K₂O (Camberato, 2008). Furthermore, other key nutrients such as nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and micronutrients also exit the field with stover removal, which can be especially concerning in low-fertility soils or under longterm removal scenarios.
For more on Purdue corn research
Dan Quinn Bruno Scheffer
Figure 1. Relationship between total dry cover stover produced and corn grain yield across different Indiana locations and hybrid types. West Lafayette (ACRE) and Butlerville (SEPAC), IN 2024.
Corn stover nutrient removal
Beginning in 2024, research funded by the Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC) in collaboration with Purdue University and FiberX sought to re-examine corn stover nutrient removal amounts and soil nutrient level and quality impacts over time with different rates of stover removal.
As corn grain yields continue to increase and as corn genetics and physiological traits continue to change, it is important to reassess dry stover totals, quality and the impacts of stover removal in current productions systems. This is also important as new markets and companies begin to provide new opportunities for stover use.
This research trial was established following corn harvest in 2024 at two diverse Indiana locations: Purdue University’s Agronomy Center for Research and Education (ACRE) in West Lafayette, Ind., and the Southeast Purdue Agricultural Center (SEPAC) in Butlerville, Ind.
The research trial was designed to examine different stover removal rates (0-100 percent) across different corn yield levels and hybrid types. For example, this research trial examined dry stover amounts and nutrient composition of the new short-stature corn hybrids (PR112 and PR116) in comparison to a typical full-stature hybrid (DKC62-70).
Yields and dry stover production
Preliminary results indicate a clear linear relationship between corn grain yield and total dry stover production per acre, as expected (Figure 1). These findings align with previous research which has shown an approximate 1:1 ratio between pounds of grain and pounds of dry stover produced per acre.
For instance, at the ACRE location, corn yields ranging from 280 to 300 bushels per acre corresponded to roughly
Table 1. Total carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S) nutrient levels present per ton of dry stover removed. Data is combined across both Indiana research locations and separated by hybrid type. West Lafayette and Butlerville, IN 2024.
7 tons of dry stover per acre. However, slight differences among hybrids were observed. In addition, the hybrids evaluated exhibited harvest indexes (grain-to-stover ratio) near 0.6, indicating that grain production slightly exceeded stover production in most cases.
The study also assessed the nutritional composition of the stover, comparing both full- and short-stature hybrids (Table 1). Both hybrid types showed similar concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S), while potassium (K) levels were slightly higher in the shortstature hybrids.
On average, nutrient concentrations in the stover were 0.82 percent N, 0.12 percent P, 0.72 percent K and 0.06 percent S for the full-stature hybrid, and 0.81 percent N, 0.12 percent P, 0.79 percent K and 0.06 percent S for the short-stature hybrid.
Declines in soil organic matter
This research trial re-examines dry corn stover totals, nutrient concentrations and nutrient removal rates in relation to current yield levels and both existing and emerging corn hybrid types. Findings highlight that when stover is harvested and removed from the field, essential plant nutrients are also removed from the field and must be accounted for in nutrient management plans and profitability calculations.
Additionally, stover removal can lead to declines in soil organic matter, increased soil erosion and compaction due to machinery use. As such, it is important to quantify these impacts over time and to better understand the trade-offs of stover removal and balancing the potential for additional revenue with the need to maintain soil fertility, health and long-term productivity.
This research is ongoing and will be expanded and repeated in 2025 and beyond to refine results and assess long-term soil impacts.
Will artificial intelligence revolutionize farms as much as the rest of the world?
BY SCOTT GABBARD, Purdue On The Farm
There has been a lot of discussion during the last year about artificial intelligence (AI) and how it will revolutionize the world, it’s power consumption and the sheer processing power it requires. This was very apparent when I went past a FaceBook (Meta) processor “farm” while touring real farms in Idaho last month.
I had already started writing this column when I got a nice write-up in my Inbox from Todd Jantzen. It was a good read and some of the legal themes and limitations he discussed are very relevant to the agricultural sciences, as well.
Talking about AI to a farm audience means you have to clarify whether you’re talking about your herd breeding program or a large language model, often with a couple of chuckles from the audience. In the research world, one has to clarify whether it is a large language (General) model or a smaller (Narrow) model used for data assimilation or machine learning. Everyone reading has experienced Narrow AI. It could be an engine’s computers adapting to a driver or Siri accommodating the user’s request better over time with repeated usage. Today’s topic will be the General AI that has been in the news since ChatGPT entered our lexicon.
You don’t have to have too long of a memory to remember when Google was going to change the world. It has. At the end of the day, the person on the other end of the search
screen still needs to have some working knowledge of what is going on.
While insect or disease management for corn and soybeans can be found with Google, applying what Alabama does to Indiana can be helpful but it can also get the farmer in a lot of hot water, too.
The same can be said of the new AI products being offered now on multiple platforms. They also have limitations. Knowing their limitations and how to work with them is important if one is to use them effectively.
Value and limitations
While several Purdue units and researchers use a multitude of platforms of large language models or generative AI, the two that are available to all employees are Microsoft’s CoPilot.ai and Perplexity.ai. Considering the capability of these models; faculty, staff and students are to adhere to Purdue policies of intellectual property and proper attribution.
While the previous paragraph sounds like something that has nothing to do with farming. It does. Never giving a model personal information is one thing. Verifying whether the model is “learning” from your thoughts is another (a big concern for researchers). Now, lets discuss the value and the limitations.
I asked Microsoft CoPilot the same question three times this question: Explain to me what tar spot on corn is, how it spreads and what can be done to manage it?
I received three different answers with varying levels of detail. All three gave me
New artificial intelligence (AI) products being now offered on multiple platforms. Each of these AI products have limitations. Knowing their limitations and how to work with them is important to using them effectively.
For information about Purdue On-the-Farm
“You don’t have to have too long of a memory to remember when Google was going to change the world. It has. At the end of the day, the person on the other end of the search screen still needs to have some working knowledge of what is going on.”
answers on how it spread with varying levels of detail. None of them gave me fungicide. All three iterations emphasized cool temperatures and high humidity, but only one mentioned frequent rainfall and two mentioned dense plant populations.
Two of them had six management strategies, one of them had five. The one with five omitted optimizing plant density. Pretty good, two of them suggested reaching out to ag extension or an agronomist for more information.
Perplexity.ai was better in this use case. It was able to the give growth stages for scouting, management and even suggested a few fungicides. Better yet, it also cited its sources.
It cited Bayer, Michigan State, a hybrid company I didn’t recognize and many more. It cited Purdue first and often, including the Pest and Crop Newsletter. Click on the links and it pops up the original articles for further reading. It’s a great way to bone-up on information that is out there and readily available.
Better organize our thoughts
In all, this new technology will change how we find information. It will help us better organize our thoughts and provide insights that may have been missed. In the end, boots on the ground still matter.
Human interaction still is of value. Just like prior technological breakthroughs, we’ll just accomplish more in a shorter period of time. If you’d like to learn what your children or grandchildren are learning about AI in 4-H, just type in this shortened link: extension.purdue.edu/4-H/ volunteer/resources-and-development/stem-volunteerresources.html
This summer, we’ll be using AI to stitch hundreds of photographs, rewrite some e-mails and even see if it identifies something we did not notice. It’s nothing to be afraid of, just another tool in the toolbox.
Funny to think about it, but some of you might be using AI while reading this column as your equipment plants the field. It’s certainly not 1939 anymore (the year “The Wizard of Oz” was released).
As a farmer-owned lender, we’re here to share the success of the cooperative with our customers. Which is why we’re proud to return a portion of the cooperative’s profits back to our customerowners in the form of patronage.
In the last nine years, we have returned more than $1.5 billion to our eligible customer-owners. It’s what a farmer-owned lender does.
Soybean oil benefits consumers, farmers and local communities
BY DAVE BLOWER JR.
What could be more American than chicken tenders, hot dogs and Cracker Jack at a baseball game? How about cooking some of these foods in oil made from soybeans grown on Indiana farms?
From the fields of family farms to the fryers at your favorite stadium, Indiana-grown high oleic soybean oil is making its mark. The Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) — the state’s soybean checkoff program — is proud to partner with top sports venues across Indiana to showcase this heart-healthy oil to thousands of fans.
ISA’s growing list of partners includes Victory Field, home to the Indianapolis Indians; Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home to the NBA’s Indiana Pacers and the WNBA’s Indiana Fever; and the Fishers Event Center, which hosts the Indy Ignite (volleyball), Indy Fuel (hockey) and Fishers Freight (indoor football).
Joel Zawacki, Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of the Indianapolis Indians, said his team’s partnership with ISA and Indiana’s farmers is a home run. “By using high oleic soybean oil in our concession stands, we’re not just enhancing flavor but also offering a healthier option for our fans,” Zawacki explained. “Partnering with the Indiana Soybean Alliance allows us to showcase a locally sourced, heart-healthy oil while celebrating the best of Hoosier agriculture at Victory Field.”
Why high oleic soybean oil matters
Unlike conventional cooking oils, high oleic soybean oil has a fatty acid profile closer to olive oil, with more monounsaturated fat and less polyunsaturated fat. This makes it more stable for high-heat cooking, with a longer shelf life and a cleaner taste – qualities that chefs and food vendors love. While both traditional and high oleic soybean oils are safe, healthy options backed by decades of nutritional science, high oleic soybean oil has a unique advantage that appeals to today’s chefs and consumers.
Although most don’t think of concessions at a baseball game as “health food,” high oleic soybean oil does make it better. The American Heart Association said seed oils contain unsaturated fatty acid and replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats is a hearthealthy choice, and there is no reason to avoid them.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also supports this, allowing a qualified health claim that replacing saturated fats with soybean oil may reduce the risk of heart disease.
“High oleic soybean oil is a win for everyone – it’s good for consumers, good for restaurants and good for farmers,” said ISA Chair Denise Scarborough, a farmer from LaCrosse, Ind.
A chef with Gainbridge Fieldhouse talks to industry stakeholders about using high oleic soybean oil while preparing food during Indiana Pacers’ games.
This sign appears at the concession stands of many sports venues throughout Indiana.
Watch a Video About the Oil
“These partnerships help show what we grow here matters, especially given the negativity surrounding seed oils these days. It’s rewarding to see the soybean checkoff dollars creating real opportunities and sharing the positive benefits of soybean oil.”
Michael Lake, Senior Sales Director of Corporate Partnerships for Pacers Sports & Entertainment, agreed that working with ISA has been mutually beneficial. He said more than 600 jugs, or 21,000 pounds, of high oleic soybean oil will be used at Gainbridge Fieldhouse during a typical NBA season. Thanks to the Pacers’ extended playoff push, and Caitlin Clark packing the house for Indiana Fever games, even more high oleic soybean oil has been used in Gainbridge Fieldhouse concessions this year.
Indiana is a major player
More high oleic soybeans are grown in Indiana than anywhere else in the world. In 2024, Indiana farmers planted approximately 500,000 acres of high oleic soybeans resulting in more than $50 million in premiums being paid back to farmers.
Some High Oleic Soybean Oil Partners
“To work with the Indiana soybean farmers, and to have them in action in our building, is very fitting,” Lake said. “We, at Pacers Sports & Entertainment, pride ourselves on looking for partners that we can set up relationships that are win-win, and this is truly that in every sense. To work with and use an amazing product that is grown in Indiana and even parts of the county we call home is so great.”
ISA has informational signage near the arena’s concession stands touting the health benefits of high oleic soybean oil and the farmers who grow it. High oleic soybeans are sustainably grown in Indiana on familyowned soybean farms and transformed into soybean oil at three facilities located around the state.
Victory Field, Gainbridge Fieldhouse and the Fishers Event Center aren’t the only places where fans can enjoy food cooked in high oleic soybean oil. Purdue University athletics, Indiana University athletics, the Indianapolis Zoo, Lucas Oil Stadium, the Fair Oaks Farms restaurant and some Indiana State Fair vendors also are using this oil. As more consumers realize its benefits, demand for this product will grow.
Most Hoosier consumers are unaware of the state’s soybean checkoff, ISA, what it does and how it operates. All Indiana soybean growers pay one-half of 1 percent of the net market price for soybeans to ISA. By developing new markets, creating new products, promotion and education, ISA puts these farmers’ investments into programs and projects that essentially expand opportunities for Indiana soybean farmers. Led by a board of 24 farmers elected to direct these funds, ISA looks for partnerships that will help all Indiana soybean growers.
For more information on high oleic soybean oil, visit: www.incornandsoy.org/higholeic
Lucas Oil Stadium is among the many sports venues around Indiana that are using high oleic soybean oil in their concession foods
Baseball fans visiting Victory Field can enjoy food items prepared in high oleic soybean oil this season.
USMEF expanding red meat demand in emerging and established markets
West Africa and Japan are pretty far removed, both in geography and when it comes to red meat exports. But both regions recently celebrated successes that illustrate the work the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) does on a daily basis to diversify demand for U.S. pork, beef and lamb, both in emerging markets and with well established trading partners.
Africa is a logical place to look to build demand. Current exports to the region are limited, mostly variety meats. But there is a growing middle class that is demanding higher quality protein and a blooming infrastructure eager to meet that demand.
USMEF recently brought 30 exporter members to Ghana to meet directly with buyers from 12 countries in its first-ever West Africa Trade Seminar. For two days, the buyers and sellers heard from USMEF and USDA leadership, the U.S. cattle industry and successful meat businesses in Africa. The highlight, however, were the face-to-face, “speed-dating” style sessions to talk sales, logistics and product.
class, there’s a lot of opportunity for the future in terms of spending power,” Halstrom said. “And that’s what we’re hoping to capitalize on is the potential spending power over here because you have one of the youngest demographics in the world and one of the fastest growing populations in the world.”
Every meal at the Africa seminar featured U.S. beef and pork, offering many of the buyers their first taste of U.S. muscle cuts.
While Africa offers a longer term look at diversification through market development, USMEF often finds opportunities to diversify demand through finding new markets within established markets. Japan offers a couple of recent examples.
“I’ve been working Africa for 15 years, and I have met nine people in one day who are established businesses in Senegal, in Ivory Coast, who I had not met before,” said Robert Preska of Minnesota-based Lamex Food Group. “We have several people in high-end restaurants who are interested in high-quality beef, and we’re really trying to work to get some samples to them by air freight. It’s going to be very difficult to sell them a full container right away. But if we can get some samples to them, we could be talking about moving some containers of primal cuts over here.”
USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom compares West Africa today to the promise of Mexico 20 years ago. “If you look at the growing population, the growing middle
A persistently weak yen, inflation and rising prices have pressured Japanese foodservice chains to pursue less-expensive ingredients, especially in value-oriented sectors. Nationwide chain Ramen Kagetsu, which operates 250 stores throughout Japan, had used European sheet belly for a Cantonese-style barbecued pork ramen dish. Pressured by price, the chain worked with USMEF to develop and test a switch to U.S. pork false lean, an underutilized cut taken from the shoulder end of the loin.
The company anticipates utilizing 40 metric tons of the product each month.
Likewise, restaurant chain Kairikiya, with 160 Japanese outlets, switched from Mexican picnic to U.S. pork cushion meat for one of its most popular ramen menu items. That switch is anticipated to utilize 1,000 mt of U.S. pork cushion this year.
Japan is the third-largest volume market for U.S. pork exports in 2025 and No. 2 in value. These new menu items show there is still opportunity to find new markets for new products and build demand for every part of the carcass.
Visit USMEF website
Attendees of the Ghana Trade Seminar in Accra pose for a photo during the two-day event.
More than 1 billion gallons of U . S . ethanol have been exported in the past six months
U.S. ethanol exports have crossed the one-billion-gallon threshold halfway through Marketing Year (MY) 2024-2025, a 27 percent increase from the same period in MY 2023-2024, according to new information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
a ComplEat Analytics study commissioned by the U.S. Grains Council and the National Corn Growers Association.
The sharp rise in ethanol sales contributed to an 11 percent increase in U.S. grains in all forms (GIAF) exports compared to last year’s data.
“Passing one billion gallons in ethanol exports just six months into MY 2024/2025 is a testament to the quality and versatility of U.S. ethanol,” said Alicia Koch, U.S. Grains Council (USGC) director of global ethanol export development.
“It’s a sign the U.S. ethanol industry is ready and willing to handle increased global demand and the Council is effectively implementing its international marketing strategies to generate interest in biofuels across consumers and policymakers around the world.”
Canada is maintaining its place as the top importer of U.S. ethanol, purchasing 19 million more gallons than at this point in the last marketing year, and the European Union is showing strong appetite for U.S. ethanol by importing 78 million additional gallons.
“Building new demand is a pillar of the Council’s commitment to U.S. producers because of the financial benefits derived from diversified markets for U.S. ethanol,” Koch said.
To view more statistics on ethanol exports for MY 2024-2025, visit the Feed Grains In All Forms portal at grains.org
Indiana Value of Trade: 2023 Report
Exports of grain and grain products added $3.14 billion in value to the Indiana economy in 2023, according to
Indiana contributed $946.2 million in corn export value along with $302.9 million in ethanol export value and $272.7 million in ethanol co-products export value. Corn, ethanol and co-products created $1.52 billion total in export value. Indiana growers contributed a total of $1.71 million for all grain and grain products exported to the global market in 2023.
“When I started farming in 1974, we raised 371 million bushels of corn in Indiana. In 2024, we raised 1.1 billion bushels of corn,” said Indiana Corn Marketing Council President Tim Gauck, a farmer from Greensburg, Ind. “We do a good job of producing corn here. The corn checkoff and its partners like the U.S. Grains Council are working to find new markets for that corn.”
Indiana producers of corn, ethanol, ethanol co-products and corn equivalent of meat contributed to $1.2 billion in gross state product and 3.14 billion in overall output to the state economy. This contributed to 12,207 jobs for the state.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership with the U.S. Grains Council.
Tim Gauck
Visit the USGC website
U . S . Soy’s profit potential for feed in Asia touted at Bangkok meeting
BY TOM D’ALFONSO, USSEC Director of Animal Nutrition and Aquaculture
The global feed industry is being asked to do more with less – sustainably deliver more performance for less cost. Indiana soybean farmers are producing a solution. The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) is taking that solution, U.S. Soy, to customers in the expanding Asian market.
In mid-March, USSEC brought U.S. Soy to VIV Asia 2025, Asia’s largest feed-to-food event, focusing on livestock production and related sectors. Hosted biennially in Bangkok, Thailand, the 2025 event attracted more than 51,000 attendees from 129 countries.
As a first-time sponsor and exhibitor, USSEC participated in VIV Asia to promote U.S. soybean producers and strengthen U.S. Soy’s presence in Asia. Throughout the tradeshow, the USSEC team met with leading feed, animal and aquaculture companies, and we participated in industry media interviews. I also had the privilege of making a keynote address, as well as moderating a panel discussion featuring three other feed and sustainability experts.
In everything, our team explained how profitability and sustainability go hand-in-hand in modern feed formulations. We emphasized the economic and environmental advantages of U.S. Soy, particularly its consistent quality, superior digestibility and lowest carbon footprint compared to soy of other origins.
We made it clear: U.S. Soy isn’t just an ingredient — it’s a proven solution for better animal nutrition, stronger business performance and a more sustainable future.
Providing economic value
During our presentations, we highlighted how consistency in nutrient quality is a true predictor of economic value. Our research shows
that U.S. Soy delivers a premium value of $25 to $35 per metric ton versus soy of other origins, like Brazil. Because U.S. soybean meal is more consistent and predictable in its nutrient content – especially in digestible amino acids and energy –global nutritionists can formulate animal diets with greater precision.
This reduces the need to “over-formulate” nutrients as a safeguard, ultimately saving on feed costs while still meeting animals’ nutritional requirements. Soybean meal from U.S. Soy also delivers improved performance, thanks to its reliable digestibility and nutrient bundle.
As part of our panel discussion, Chaiyapoom Bunchasak, professor of animal science for Kasetsart University in Thailand, delivered a compelling perspective on Thailand’s nutrition policy evolution.
He argued for shifting feed standards away from crude protein to more meaningful metrics like amino acid digestibility. His research reinforces USSEC’s position that crude protein is an outdated metric.
U.S. Soy’s value lies in its digestibility, nutrient consistency, and lower nitrogen excretion—supporting both animal performance and sustainability.
In my keynote, I echoed that the animal nutrition industry would benefit from moving beyond crude protein as a measure of quality and shifting toward digestible amino acids. That is where U.S. Soy excels.
Delivering sustainability
Sustainability has become a requirement for livestock feed.
During our panel, Basilisa Reas, Ph.D., USSEC technical director of soybean meal and animal protein in Southeast Asia, shared how ingredient selection impacts carbon footprint.
At VIV Asia 2025, the USSEC team emphasized the economic and environmental advantages of U.S. Soy to booth visitors.
For more about USSEC
USSEC’s panel discussion featured experts explaining how profitability and sustainability go hand-in-hand in modern feed formulations.
She offered practical strategies to update nutrient databases and use sustainability metrics in feed formulation.
Lifecycle data shows that U.S. Soy has a lower carbon footprint per metric ton of feed compared to Brazilian and Argentine soy, offering buyers a clear sustainability advantage. For companies that prioritize environmental responsibility, U.S. Soy delivers both economic return and reduced emissions—making it the strategic ingredient of choice.
As part of the panel, Tarik Eluri, USSEC sustainability manager, highlighted the origins of U.S. conservation practices used in Indiana and throughout the country, the role of family farms and the carbon footprint advantages of U.S. Soy. He emphasized tools like the U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP) and transferable certificates that support transparent, measurable sustainability claims.
One of the most notable outcomes of the week was the Thai Feed Millers Association reinforcing their collaboration with USSEC.
The organization aims to enhance the competitiveness of the Thai feed milling industry, and it recognized U.S. Soy as a key partner in meeting their environmental and nutritional goals.
Promoting real value
VIV Asia 2025 is a recent example of the way USSEC works to emphasize the quality and sustainability of the soybeans grown in Indiana and exported around the world.
Support from the Indiana Soybean Alliance, the state’s soy checkoff program, enables us to tell current and potential customers about the quality, profitability and sustainability U.S. Soy delivers.
We know that real value is built on trust, data and performance. Thanks to Indiana soybean farmers, U.S. Soy delivers on all three.
From property taxes at the Statehouse to the Farm Bill on Capitol Hill, the Indiana Ag Policy Podcast will share the latest from the biggest names in ag policy. Scan below to listen now!
With ISA and ICMC support, USAPEEC programs boost corn, soybean exports
On March 6, in the framework of Expo Carnes y Lacteos in Monterrey, Mexico, USAPEEC Mexico coordinated a visit to the Proboca processing plant.
Participating were representatives from the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA), the Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC), the Kansas Soybean Commission, USDA Foreign Agriculture Service in Mexico, and the U.S. Consul General Melissa Bishop in Monterrey.
Proboca, a USAPEEC member, hosted the group, gave a presentation on its “Dos Familias” turkey meat products brand, and provided a breakfast that served to demonstrate its products.
Proboca Vice President of Sales and Strategic Businesses Mario Gorena said the “Dos Familias” recently marked its 10th anniversary. He emphasized how support from ISA and ICMC through USAPEEC has been vital to the brand’s development and launch, contributing to this significant milestone.
Later, the group toured the processing plant and saw how U.S. turkey meat is processed into valueadded products fit for the Mexican retail market.
“We are very grateful to Proboca for the incredible invitation,” Bishop said. “We were amazed to see how they transform delicious U.S. turkey for the local market.”
The event showed again the importance of funding and support provided by ISA. Earlier this spring, the second level of the double-decker pavilion USAPEEC operated at the 2025 edition of Gulfood in Dubai would not have been possible were it not for ISA support. The pavilion was a showcase among the 19 members who exhibited and for thousands of visitors.
discuss market opportunities and challenges faced by U.S. exports in international markets.
ISA’s participation in Dubai as well as its presence and involvement at the Proboca event again demonstrates the value of collaboration and the connection of soybeans and corn to poultry production. Such collaboration leads to success in creating more exports.
U.S. egg and turkey exports for January through February this year increased by 161 percent and 16.2 percent in value from the same period last year, respectively, while broiler exports increased in value, according to new trade data released by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.
Export markets such as Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Ghana, Dominican Republic, Timor-Leste, Jamaica, Libya, Peru and Turkmenistan showed large gains in broiler exports from the same month a year ago.
ISA funding allowed members to enjoy additional space to meet and network with potential customers. ISA members traveled to Dubai to see the event and met with USDA staff and local officials. They also met with Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Danny Whitley to
Turkey export value in February 2025 reached $53.2 million, up 16.4 percent. Exports to Hong Kong, Benin, Dominican Republic and Colombia increased notably.
Cumulative exports of table eggs through February this year were 16.7 million dozen, up 37.2 percent from the same period of last year, while export value hit $109.2 million, up 352 percent.
Table egg exports for February 2025 were 9.7 million dozen, an increase of 14.9 percent from the same month a year earlier, while export value reached $67.4 million, up 336 percent.
To continue to grow exports, USAPEEC international and headquarters staff met recently at the annual Strategic Planning Conference. The event served as a key forum for discussions on the future of U.S. poultry and egg exports, bringing together industry leaders to chart the path forward.
This year’s program featured a five-year strategic planning workshop designed to shape USAPEEC’s longterm operational vision, set key objectives and define success for both the organization and the broader U.S. poultry and egg export industry.
Learn about USAPEEC
Conner Prairie’s Corn to Cocktail Series educates consumers about Indiana corn
BY KATHERINE MELBERT
Conner Prairie’s “Corn to Cocktail” series blends historical anecdotes, agricultural significance and delicious drinks into engaging classes. Sponsored by the Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC), each Corn to Cocktail highlights a different liquor. Program Developer Kim McCann teaches basic bartending skills and flavor development techniques to create two unique cocktails.
After observing friends’ intimidation about homemixology, McCann set out to create something that would offer people tools, knowledge and confidence in making cocktails at home. McCann, a longtime hobby mixologist and historian, took a deep dive into the evolution of spirits and cocktails in 2020, producing the successful “Happy Hour History” online series.
“Happy Hour History” ultimately evolved into what Corn to Cocktail is today, meaningfully bringing people together to engage in spirits along the supply chain. When asked about inspiration behind the series, McCann shared, “I’m always looking for interconnecting threads that link things together, and there are definite ties between history, corn and alcohol.”
William Conner, for whom the museum is named, farmed corn, wheat and rye –ultimately selling and shipping these grains in liquid form.
Corn to Cocktail expands upon Conner’s legacy to highlight the hard work of Indiana farmers and deep historical roots of spirits.
Despite Indiana’s rich agricultural history, McCann acknowledges the gap between what consumers purchase and knowledge of where it comes from.
Consumers attending the class are often surprised to learn about Indiana’s premier
role in alcohol production in the United States. Farmers across the state grow corn for Four Roses Bourbon, Hard Truth Distillery and Barkeep Vodka.
“Being able to discuss the Indiana corn our spirits come from, connecting a product from store shelf to Hoosier land, is a great reminder of the process and labor that is a forgotten part of our everyday consumption,” McCann affirmed.
ICMC’s farmer directors attend the Series to educate individuals from Carmel, Indianapolis and Fishers about the importance of Indiana agriculture.
“We are in the middle of planting season right now, and I was able to explain our farm’s approach,” ICMC President Tim Gauck said. “Many have heard of farmers, but Corn to Cocktail puts a live face to the agricultural industry and educates folks on how corn and farming play a role in their lives.”
ICMC Director Paul Hodgen echoes the importance of connecting with Corn to Cocktail participants. “This is a great community outreach event,” he said. “We deliver our ICMC message to influential consumers and stakeholders, who will then carry this message out to friends and family.”
Corn is a versatile grain that is abundant and useful in many products, including alcohol. ICMC Board Director Paul Hodgen attended a Corn to Cocktail class in March to talk about the versatility of corn and the important work of the organization.
Without the corn checkoff, consumer-facing events like Corn to Cocktail would not be possible. The series provides an educational platform for farmers and consumers alike to learn something new about grain alcohol, agriculture, and its underlying history. McCann is grateful for ICMC’s collaboration and support.
“In partnership, Conner Prairie raises the value of Indiana corn through connection and education, while ICMC helps the museum in its own mission to enlighten and engage through unique programming,” McCann said.
There is a relentless spirit that unites us all in agriculture - a conviction we can dream big and that together, we become unstoppable.
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17 NIV