Michigan Soybean News Fall 2025 by michigansoybean

Soybean Staff

Ben Steyer Chief Executive Officer bsteyer@michigansoybean.org

Volume 17 - Issue 3

IN THIS ISSUE OF: MICHIGAN Soybean NEWS

Mark Seamon Research Director mseamon@michigansoybean.org

Sonja Lapak, Editor Communication Director slapak@michigansoybean.org

Katlin Fusilier Outreach Specialist kfusilier@michigansoybean.org

Hanna Campbell Demand Specialist hcampbell@michigansoybean.org

Anna Skelly

Accounting & Compliance Specialist askelly@michigansoybean.org

Claire Dewey Administrative & Marketing Coordinator cdewey@michigansoybean.org

Michigan Soybean Association 3055 W M-21 St. Johns, MI 48879 Phone: 989.652.3294 soyinfo@michigansoybean.org

Ad Sales

Sonja Lapak slapak@michigansoybean.org

J.L. Farmakis Inc. - National Phone: 203.834.8832 bill@jlfarmakis.com

Magazine Circulation: 18,000 Michigan Soybean News is published quarterly.

Trade Turbulence

Not Your Father's Fuel

Disclaimer:

Advertisements within this publication contain the opinions and information of the advertisers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of the Michigan Soybean Association or affiliated groups. The United Soybean Board/soybean checkoff neither recommends nor discourages the implementation of any advice contained herein, and is not liable for the use or misuse of the information provided.

Michigan Soybean Leadership

Michigan Soybean Association

Larry Phelps, Vicksburg

Jay Williams, Waldron

Tom Woelmer, Monroe

Karen Warner, Yale

Allison Thiel, Birch Run

PJ Feldpausch, St. Johns

Matthew Wila, Blanchard

Rob Howland, Brown City

Robert Wasmiller, Burt

Michigan Soybean Committee

Sara Trattles, Colon

Gary Parr, Charlotte

Nathan McCalla, Ann Arbor

Scott Wilson, Lexington

John Burk, Bay City

Mark Senk, Owosso

Ryan Drozd, Allegan

American Soybean Association

Heather Feuerstein, Belding

Janna Fritz, Bad Axe

United Soybean Board

Laurie Isley, Palmyra

Dennis Gardner, Croswell

Carla Schultz, Mayville

North Central Soybean Research Program

Steve Koeman, Hamilton

US Soybean Export Council

Dave Williams, Elsie

Clean Fuels Alliance America

Zach Schaffner, Hudson

Soy Aquaculture Alliance

Alan Moore, Bannister

Soy Transportation Coalition

Rob Green, Corunna

World Initiative for Soy in Human Health

Doug Darling, Maybee

Specialty Soya & Grains Alliance

Steve Peach, Plymouth

US Meat Export Federation

Brian Pridgeon, Montgomery

Farm Produce Insurance Fund

Jason Haag, Unionville

MSA Director Spotlight - Meet Jay Williams

Tell us about yourself, your farm and your family.

I live with my wife Kelli and three sons, Sam, Seth and Silas, outside of Waldron, Michigan, just a mile from the Ohio state line. We own and operate Stoney Ridge Farms, LLC, raising corn, soybeans and wheat on over 1600 acres in Hillsdale and Lenawee Counties in Michigan and Fulton County in Ohio. I was an ag and commercial lender for 20 years while farming on the side and have been full time on the farm since 2016.

Favorite MSA board experience?

My favorite MSA board experience to date was the joint MSA/MSC team-building activity this past December. It was a great time having fun as a group and getting to know each other better.

Planting or harvest?

Harvest. I love seeing the fruits of a growing season’s labors, seeing what I can adjust for the following year and the flow of the harvest routine.

Red or Green?

No debate here, we’re a green farm.

Do you have a farm dog?

Yes, Gideon…the monster yellow lab and Moses, a black lab puppy.

Favorite tractor snacks?

Bit-O-Honey

Off-farm hobbies?

I enjoy being an assistant varsity basketball coach at our local high school. When I’m not farming, coaching or spending time with family, I enjoy model railroading and studying railroad history.

Staff Update

Isat at my desk trying to write this article for hours. I started a draft about the new business my husband and I started, and a draft cataloging all the things I learned (and failed at) while growing produce this summer, but none of the topics felt quite right.

As I began another draft I was startled by a call from my dad to bring as many buckets of water as possible to the nearest hay field where our round baler was on fire. As I was running around filling buckets and driving a bit over the speed limit, I was reminded of just how unpredictable farming is. One-minute things are fine, and the next minute things are on fire - literally!

I am constantly amazed by the resilience of farmers and your ability to roll with the punches no matter what comes at you. I am convinced that this is a trait that has been instilled in farmers through generations by people who were willing to do whatever it took to make things happen. I saw this trait shine in my grandfather during early mornings feeding the calves when nothing seemed to go right and now, I see it every day in my dad as he works tirelessly to help my brother and I’s agricultural dreams become a reality while keeping our family operation running smoothly.

Now take a minute and step into the shoes of a beginning farmer. Someone who didn’t have generations before them plowing ground and planning crop rotations. Can you imagine planting a field of soybeans for the first time all by yourself?

During my time at Michigan Soybean, I have spoken with countless beginning farmers who are trying to figure it out all on their own. Their heart is on fire for agriculture, but that doesn’t make it any easier to ask the questions it seems like your neighbors have known the answers to since birth. I want to encourage you to reach out to the younger generations of agriculturalists and offer to lend a helping hand or share a word of wisdom. They may say that everything is going okay or that they don’t need your help, but having the phone number of an experienced farmer on those days when things go bad can be more helpful than you know.

I am proud to work every day to support soybean farmers – both brand new farmers and those who will turn on the combine for the 70 th time this fall. Please support your fellow farmers and never stop asking questions, even the ones you think everyone else knows the answer to. Growth happens and relationships are built when we reach out to our neighbors and lend a helping hand. This might look like stopping into the field when you see a young farmer wrenching on the planter or just popping into the shop when the lights are on late at night. Help to fuel the fire of our first time farmers, I promise you it will help refuel your fire too.

Hanna Campbell Market Development Director hcampbell@michigansoybean.org

2025 Michigan Soybean Yield Contest

The 2025 Michigan Soybean Association (MSA) Yield Contest is underway. Entry forms for the contest were due in August and we are happy to report that we are seeing great participation again this year. For those who have entered the contest, harvest data is due at the end of November and winners will be announced on social media in December. All winners will be recognized at the Great Lakes Crop Summit in January as well as in a future edition of the Soybean News magazine.

This program would not be possible without our generous sponsors. We greatly appreciate their support of the program. This year we have 11 seed companies participating as sponsors as well as support from the Michigan Soybean Committee for the contest prizes.

Thank you to all of the participants of the yield contest! We are looking forward to seeing yields from you this fall. If you are interested in the MSA yield contest and wish to learn more, visit our website at misoy.org/yield-contest

Michigan Legislative Update

Jason Wadaga, Vice-President of Government Relations, Kindsvatter, Dalling & Associates

The Michigan Legislature has spent the past few weeks negotiating on a Fiscal Year 2025-26 state budget without any success at this point. The goal was to first finish the K-12 budget so that school districts know at the start of the school year what kind of funding they have, and then move on to the other budgets.

The legislature must adopt the budget by September 30 th . Negotiations at this point have been slow. Governor Whitmer has stated publicly that she wants a road funding package as part of the final budget negotiation, which may push a final agreement into the fall.

Biodiesel Tax Incentive Legislation Introduced

In early July, House Bills 4721 and 4722 were introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives in a bipartisan fashion to create a tax incentive for the production and sale of biodiesel in Michigan. The legislation would:

• Create a Retail Tax Credit

• 2 cents per gallon for B6-B10

• 5 cents per gallon for B11+

• Create a Producers Tax Credit

• 2 cents per gallon for every gallon produced by a Michigan biodiesel producer

• Set a 6-year sunset on all the incentive provisions

• Be capped at $16 Million for retailers and $2 million for producers

The legislation was sponsored by Rep. Greg Alexander (R-Carsonville) and Rep. Angela Witwer (D-Delta Twp) and has 20 bipartisan co-sponsors. The bills have been referred to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the Michigan House of Representatives.

MSA will be working diligently to get the bills in front of the committee in the fall.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Legislation Passes Senate

Legislation to create a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) corporate tax credit passed out of the

Michigan Senate in late June on a 28-8 vote.

The legislation would:

• Amend the Income Tax Act to establish a refundable tax credit for qualified taxpayers to claim up to $2 per gallon of sustainable aviation fuel that was produced in Michigan and was sold for use by an aircraft in the state, upon certification by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

• Allow EGLE to approve a maximum of $4.5 million in sustainable aviation fuel tax credits for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and up to $9 million during each following fiscal years.

• Create the application and certification process for those seeking the tax credit.

The Michigan House of Representatives introduced identical legislation in June and a hearing was held in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Based on the questions asked in that hearing, the legislation will have more of an uphill battle in the House of Representatives. MSA will be actively following this legislation. While it has potential to drive the demand for soybean production, we believe there are amendments that could be made to be more beneficial to Michigan farmers.

Jason Wadaga

Michigan Farmers Head to Capitol Hill

In July, Michigan Soybean Association director Rob Howland (Brown City) and MSA CEO Ben Steyer joined Michigan's American Soybean Association (ASA) directors Heather Feuerstein and Janna Fritz for the ASA Soy Issues Forum and Policy Briefing in Washington, D.C. The ASA staff and invited panelists provided a wide range of soy-related updates for the audience of farmers and state soybean association staff in attendance.

A panel of congressional staffers discussed the Make America Healthy Again Commission, which is being championed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Addressing chronic illness in children and ensuring that the American food supply is safe and healthy for consumption is certainly a worthwhile endeavor. However, many in the agricultural community remain concerned that the MAHA Commission’s efforts are overlooking years of pesticide studies which have concluded that glyphosate and other crop protection tools are safe to use. There are also concerns that the commission is unfairly targeting seed oils, including soybean oil, by claiming that the consumption of such oils is unhealthy despite years of research to combat that narrative. The panelists discussed these, and other topics related to the MAHA Commission and relayed that there is a large appetite amongst legislators and staff in Washington to educate themselves about these issues.

Agricultural trade and tariffs were also a topic of discussion at the forum. Soybeans are the #1 export crop in the U.S.; consequently when there are international trade disruptions, soybean farmers feel the impact at a disproportionate level. Several trade experts took the stage to discuss the current trade situation and compared it to the 2018 trade disruptions. Two major differences this time around

are that the U.S. is attempting to negotiate trade deals with many more countries, and as of the time of this article, the U.S. does not have a Chief Ag Negotiator in place, making negotiating even more complex.

The One Big Beautiful Bill (or “budget reconciliation”) included several of ASA’s topline 2024 Farm Bill priorities, including updating the soybean reference price to $10/bushel, expanding access to more affordable crop insurance, and increasing credit access to new and beginning farmers. However, passing a new Farm Bill remains a top priority as farmers need the certainty of a 5-year Farm Bill to make appropriate business decisions and investments. The budget reconciliation package's approach of increasing agricultural funding while cutting nutrition programs has split the usual Farm Bill coalition, creating obstacles that will probably complicate the legislative process in the coming months.

The day after the Soy Issues Forum, Feuerstein, Howland and Steyer were joined for legislative office visits by Michigan resident and Florida A&M student, Nadia Kreft, who was taking part in ASA’s Ag Voices of the Future program. The program is for college students who have an interest in careers related to ag policy. Kreft shared about the program, “I have gained a great deal of insight into advocating for soy farmers, and I also enjoyed learning about policy and regulations in the EPA and USDA.” Kreft was a welcome addition to the group as the Michigan delegation shared policy priorities and addressed the current trade situation with six different Michigan offices, including discussions with Congressmen Moolenaar and Walberg.

L to R: Ben Steyer, Heather Feuerstein, Congressman John Moolenaar, Nadia Kreft, Rob Howland

L to R: Nadia Kreft, Congressman Tim Walberg, Ben Steyer

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

First Name:_____________________________

Last Name:_____________________________

Address:_______________________________

City/State/Zip:___________________________

Phone:_________________________________

Cell Phone:_____________________________

Email:_________________________________

1-yr: $75 3-yr: $190

Young Farmer (18-24): $20

Non-Farmer Individual: $100

Payment Amount & Method:

Check (Payable to MSA) or Credit Card

Credit Card Type:_____ Expiration Date:______

Credit Card #:_________________ CVV:______

Signature:_______________________________

Date of Birth:__________________

Number of Soybean Acres:_______

Total Farm Acres:______________

Occupation (circle one):

Farmer Retired Other

• Dues are not tax deductible as a charitable contribution for federal tax purposes, but may be deductible as a business expense.

• 18% of member dues are allocated to lobbying activities and are not deductible.

Mail application with payment to: Michigan Soybean Association 3055 W M-21, St. Johns, MI 48879

Join online:

Paying the soybean checkoff does not make you an MSA member. Checkoff dollars cannot be used for lobbying. Your membership is critical to our efforts on behalf of Michigan soybean farmers!

For more information on member benefits, visit www.misoy.org/member-benefits/. Member benefits include:

• Scholarship opportunities for your children and grandchildren

• Preferred vehicle pricing opportunities

• Cabela’s gift card purchase discount

• Discounted registration to Commodity Classic

• Annual $75 seed coupon for renewing members to use with our partnering seed companies

• The MOST IMPORTANT MSA member benefit: Having a voice in Lansing and Washington, D.C.!

Seeking Nominees for MSA Board of Directors

The Michigan Soybean Association (MSA) is seeking nominations for board seats in the following districts:

• District 1 – Berrien, Branch, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren Counties

• District 4 – Huron, Macomb, Sanilac, St. Clair and Oakland Counties

• District 7 – Alcona, Alger, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Baraga, Barry, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Clare, Crawford, Delta, Dickinson, Emmet, Gladwin, Gogebic, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Houghton, Iosco, Iron, Isabella, Kalkaska, Kent, Keweenaw, Lake, Leelanau, Luce, Mackinac, Manistee, Marquette, Mason, Mecosta, Menominee, Midland, Missaukee, Montcalm, Montmorency, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Ogemaw, Ontonagon, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Ottawa, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Schoolcraft and Wexford Counties

To appear on the ballot, nominations must be received by the MSA office by October 3, 2025. To be eligible for a seat on the board, one must be a soybean farmer residing in the district that they are seeking election and must be a member of MSA in good standing. All elected directors will hold the office for a term of three years.

According to the current bylaws, elections will be held via U.S. Mail. Ballots will be mailed to all members by October 31, 2025 and must be returned to the MSA office by December 5, 2025. Election results will be announced at MSA’s 52 nd Annual Meeting which takes place during the Great Lakes Crop Summit in January.

The MSA board hosts several events throughout the year including Legislative Outreach Farm Tours, a legislative luncheon at the Capitol, a Lansing Ag Club Breakfast and quarterly board meetings.

MSA works on important legislative issues such as trade expansion, transportation and infrastructure, biofuels, environmental regulation, advocacy for major markets and the Farm Bill. Serving on the board will help Michigan soybean farmers’ voices be heard in Lansing and Washington, D.C.

If you would like to nominate someone for one of the above districts or be placed on the ballot yourself, please email MSA CEO Ben Steyer at bsteyer@michigansoybean.org or call 989.652.3294. Thank you for your interest in serving the Michigan soybean industry.

New & Renewing Members

NEW MEMBERS:

Jeff Blight, Bancroft

Ron Brown, Mount Pleasant

Frank Haynes, Middleton

Courtney Walsh, Ithaca

Phil Tuggle, Ithaca

Casey McGuire-Riley, Charlotte

RENEWING MEMBERS:

Daryl Griner, Jones

Dick Suwyn, Caledonia

Lillian Moore, Three Oaks

Logan & Jenna Maher, Yale

Jerry Poortenga, Hudsonville

Trade Turbulence Threatens U.S. Soybean Exports

Soybeans are the largest exported commodity crop in the United States and are among the most vulnerable to changes in U.S. trade policy. Agricultural exports face persistent and fast-evolving challenges, particularly in today’s volatile political environment.

In President Trump’s second term, we’ve seen a continuation and escalation of the tariff-driven approach to trade that he first introduced during his earlier administration. In 2018, President Trump invoked Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose sweeping tariffs – or import taxes – on goods from China. China swiftly hit back with duties of its own, including a 27.5 percent retaliatory tariff on U.S. soybeans, severely disrupting the relationship with our largest trading partner.

In an effort to stabilize the relationship, the U.S. and China signed the Phase One Agreement in January 2020. The deal eased retaliatory tariffs and brought temporary relief, but the long-term reputational damage from the first trade war lingers to this day. Now, in his second term and second trade war, President Trump has utilized new authorities to levy steep tariff rates on all trading partners, not just China.

In February, President Trump announced his plans to impose tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada— three of U.S. soy’s largest trading partners—under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Duties on Canada and Mexico were paused, but duties on China went into effect. In March, those duties were

increased, causing China to retaliate with a 10 percent retaliatory tariff on U.S. soybeans.

The tariff roller coaster continued into April, when the president again invoked IEEPA and declared the U.S. trade deficit a national emergency. He imposed a 10 percent baseline tariff on all global trading partners, except Canada and Mexico, and announced additional, individualized tariff rates on 60 countries, including seven of the top 10 markets for U.S. soybeans by export value. A week later, those higher tariffs were suspended until July 9. In July, they were suspended again until August 1.

This is just a snapshot of how quickly trade policy evolves in Washington, D.C. Things change on a daily basis, and will likely have changed several times by the time you read this article. What doesn’t change is ASA’s commitment to advocating for expanded market access and tariff-reducing measures that benefit U.S. soybean farmers. When we engage with members of Congress, embassy attachés, and administration officials on trade issues, we speak with the voice of 500,000 soybean farmers across the country, and policymakers take notice.

Heading into harvest season, ASA will continue to be a strong voice on behalf of our members. We will continue to urge the administration to negotiate new trade deals that reduce tariffs and improve market access as quickly as possible. While tweets may come and tweets may go, our commitment to strong, stable trade policies will not waver.

Virginia Houston, Director of Government Affairs, American Soybean Association

United Soybean Board Update

Carla Schultz, United Soybean Board Farmer Leader, Mayville, MI

Waking up in the morning and looking at commodity markets isn’t for the faint of heart lately. As a farmer and USB director, this hits home hard with the direction and decisions we are making as an organization. One of the overarching themes this year is to create more demand for soybeans in feed, fuel, food, and industrial uses, while still focusing on exports and sustainable production.

As a member of the Executive Committee and as the chair of the Communication and Education Committee, I also see the importance of sharing that message with consumers, businesses, and the 500,000 farmers that the United Soybean Board represents from across the country.

I have gotten to take part in experiences that showcase the diversity of the soybean beginning with ports across the country that are able to move our U.S. soybeans across the globe. Our partnership with the U.S. Soybean Export Council gives us the advantage of continuing to build relationships with other countries like Indonesia and Nigeria, and so many others.

I’ve gotten to see the biofuel industry in motion in downtown Boston and see all of the homes and people that it services. As we think ahead to the potential of this bio-energy within the maritime, rail, and aviation industries, it’s an exciting time to see how elevated biofuels will become. For example, all six Class 1 railroads are committed to scaling up biofuel use in FY25.

I also had the privilege of attending the Easter Egg Roll in Washington, D.C. the day after Easter. This is an annual event that dates back to 1878 and is held on the lawn of the White House. It showcases all sorts of activities with the incredible edible egg being the main feature. Since poultry is the number one consumer of soybean meal, our executive committee participated in activities that showcased the important role soybeans play in everyday meals for livestock. The animal feed sector is definitely an area for expansion when we talk about nutrition and quality in feed rations, especially in the pork and dairy sectors.

The United Soybean Board will continue to focus on what moves volume and creates value for farmers, promoting U.S. Soy as a high-quality, sustainable and reliable product and making every dollar count that’s invested in the soy checkoff.

We are and will continue being intentional about investment decisions that deliver the highest ROI back to the farm.

United Soybean Board Executive Committee

Potential Public Health Risks of Avoiding Seed Oils

Scientific evidence supports the role of seed oils in reducing chronic disease risk, improving cardiovascular health, and providing essential fatty acids and nutrients. Avoiding seed oils could lead to negative public health implications.

Deficient in Fatty Acids Needed for Bodily Function

Seed oils are a primary source of the polyunsaturated fatty acids linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3), both essential for human health. Humans need to consume fat (along with carbohydrates and protein) daily to support bodily function. Seed oil helps us consume the fatty acids what we need.1

Increased Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Risk

Scientific evidence supports the replacement of saturated fats with polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), which lower LDL cholesterol and reduce heart disease risk.2 The U.S. FDA recognizes canola, corn, soybean, and olive oils3 for their heart-protective benefits. Studies show that consuming linoleic acid can decrease risk of coronary heart disease by 29%.4

Higher Type 2 Diabetes Risk

Research suggests that linoleic acid improves insulin sensitivity and reduces insulin resistance, lowers risk of type 2 diabetes.5-11 Studies suggest as linoleic acid intake increases, the risk of developing diabetes decreases.12

Loss of Essential Nutrients

Seed oils provide vital vitamin E, an antioxidant crucial for immune function, vision, brain 13

Loss of Essential Nutrients

Seed oils provide vital vitamin E, an antioxidant crucial for immune function, vision, brain health, and skin protection. 13 Avoiding seed oils may lead to deficiencies in this essential nutrient.

Eliminating seed oils could result in higher cholesterol levels, increased CVD and diabetes risk, and essential fatty acid and vitamin E deficiencies. Maintaining a balanced intake of healthy fats, including polyunsaturated fats, is crucial for long-term health. For a deeper dive into the scientific evidence, scan this QR code or visit www.SNIGlobal.org/seedoils.

QR code or visit www.SNIGlobal.org/seedoils.

The Soy Checkoff, in partnership with Soy Nutrition Institute, utilizes these fact sheets for outreach with consumers and health professionals. A seed oil economic impact study conducted by the Soy Checkoff and American Soybean Association found a seed oil ban would decrease demand for soy, lower farm income, increase food costs, and potentially limit consumer choice.

1. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/circulationaha.108.191627

2. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/375034

3. https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-food-labeling-and-critical-foods/qualified-health-claimsletters-enforcement-discretion

1. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/circulationaha.108.191627

4. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0000000000000510

2. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/375034

5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6783415/

6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20127308/

3. https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-food-labeling-and-critical-foods/qualified-health-claimsletters-enforcement-discretion

4. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0000000000000510

5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6783415/

6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20127308/

7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18042359/ 8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10889798/

9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7926311/

7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18042359/ 8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10889798/ 9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7926311/ 10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16132958/ 11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16895896/ 12. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31182488/ 13. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-e/art-20364144

10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16132958/

11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16895896/

12. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31182488/

13. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-e/art-20364144

MSC Welcomes New Market Development Representatives

Clean Fuels Alliance America

Zach Schaffner farms with his family growing soybeans, corn, wheat, rye and alfalfa in Hudson, Michigan. Zach is a recent graduate of the Corteva Agriscience Young Leader program and has a newfound interest in growing existing markets and developing new uses and markets for soybeans. “It is important to develop new markets for soybeans to meet a growing global demand, foster a better farm economy, and enhance food security,” says Schaffner.

Zach is now serving as the Michigan Soybean Committee representative to Clean Fuels Alliance America. Clean Fuels connects leaders across the biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel industries to deliver better, cleaner fuels now for people and the planet. This organization serves as the biofuel industry’s central coordinating entity for technical, environmental and quality assurance programs.

Zach says, “Biofuels are an incredibly important part of the soybean market as a whole, and as the Clean Fuels Alliance America representative for the Michigan Soybean Committee, I look forward to supporting the industry on behalf of soybean farmers across the state.”

Soy Transportation Coalition

Rob Green of Corunna, Michigan farms soybeans, corn and wheat alongside his family. Rob is a great addition to the MSC farmer-leader team and now represents the checkoff on the Soy Transportation Coalition (STC). “I’m relatively new to the ag industry, but I have more than 20 years of experience as a civil engineer in transportation and materials. I’m excited to be able to work in two industries I’m passionate about. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to use my experience to help pilot new soy-based construction materials and ensure a safe and efficient transport of goods from the fields to market,” says Green.

Rob understands the importance of new and reliable markets for soybeans. He says “developing new markets is vital to the continued success of the American farmer. The importance of soybeans to the food industry is well known, but there are a lot of new opportunities in non-food uses being explored. These new markets will lead to an increase in demand and economic prosperity for farms and rural communities.”

The Soy Transportation Coalition works to position soybean industry stakeholders to benefit from a transportation system that delivers cost effective, reliable, and competitive service. Rob's depth of knowledge about transportation and road infrastructure will help guide STC and the market development work of MSC.

The HeRMoN Project: Upping the Ante for Herbicide Resistance Diagnostics and Response

Dr. Eric Patterson, Weed Geneticist, Michigan

State University Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences

Since its inception in the Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences Department at Michigan State University in 2019, The Patterson Lab has been focused on addressing new and emerging cases of herbicide resistance in Michigan, the U.S. and the world. Herbicides form the backbone of weed management in conventional soybean production and therefore, herbicide resistance is of particular concern for soybean producers and soybean checkoff groups. According to a 2014 study supported by the United Soybean Board, herbicide-resistant weeds cost U.S. soybean growers more than $2 billion annually. Since then, populations of these weeds have proliferated across the country with almost every major crop, boosting that figure substantially when considering all of agriculture.

The Michigan Soybean Committee has supported various research projects in our lab, including the development of rapid molecular tests for Group 2 and Group 9 resistance in common Michigan weeds (e.g. Marestail, Waterhemp and Palmer) and research identifying resistance mechanisms in common ragweed to group 27 herbicides in Michigan non-GMO soybeans.

With Michigan Soybean Committee funding, we have focused mainly on Michigan resistance cases; however, this work has recently been leveraged to expand our efforts to the national level. In the beginning of 2025, I led an effort for a multi-regional soybean project that aims to increase our nation's capacity to rapidly study and address new herbicide resistance cases in soybeans across the country. We were awarded a $500,000 grant from the United Soybean Board to take on this work. The project is called the Herbicide Resistance Monitoring Network, or HeRMoN for short, and includes researchers from Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Texas, Louisiana and Kansas. The goals of this team are to share and study unique resistant populations, standardize resistance testing protocols, find new resistance mechanisms, develop new tests for rapid resistance confirmation, study resistance to herbicides that are sprayed both preand post-, and to communicate with growers about the importance of herbicide resistance management and monitoring. As part of this effort, HeRMoN is also collecting information about resistance across the soybean growing region, producing county-level

resistance maps so growers can know about new cases in their area.

HeRMoN is especially interested in cases of herbicide resistance that are most impactful to soybean growers. With Enlist soybeans being adopted nationwide, resistance to 2,4-D in Palmer and Waterhemp is a major concern, especially since resistant populations already exist in some states because of heavy 2,4-D use in corn. Additionally, the first cases of Liberty resistance in Palmer have been reported; however, the HeRMoN team has already been investigating these populations, knows the resistance mechanism, and has developed a lab test for these plants. Beyond Enlist and Liberty, the HeRMoN project is very interested in resistance to Group 27 and Group 5 herbicides, as they are critical for non-GMO production and can sometimes be used to control populations that are resistant to other herbicides, such as RoundUp.

HeRMoN hopes to produce new diagnostics tools for growers, helping them better understand the weeds in their fields, ultimately providing recommendations for management and protecting soybean yields. With the continued support of the Michigan Soybean Committee and Untied Soybean Board, we will continue to help Michigan growers understand and manage herbicide resistance. Growers can contact any member of the HeRMoN project with questions about herbicide resistance and for help diagnosing herbicide resistant weeds in their fields.

Not Your Father’s Fuel

With stricter standards and OEM approvals, use today’s biodiesel with confidence on your farm

Are past experiences or rumors of poor performance keeping you from using biodiesel? Know that today’s biodiesel has come a long way from the fuel your farm may have used years ago. Thanks to improved fuel specifications and more stringent standards, you can use today’s biodiesel with confidence in tractors, combines, forage harvesters, skid steers and other diesel-powered equipment.

“Many people are surprised to learn that biodiesel now meets even higher standards than those for petroleum diesel,” says Hanna Campbell, Market Development Director, Michigan Soybean Committee. “Today’s biodiesel is a high-quality fuel that delivers lower emissions and proven engine and equipment performance while creating demand for Michigan soybeans.”

Biodiesel supports soybean prices by providing a vital market for soybean oil. This byproduct of soybean meal production is the primary feedstock

used in biodiesel production. By increasing the value of soybean oil, biodiesel supports 13 percent of the per-bushel price of soybeans. 1

Keep These Biodiesel Tips in Mind

When purchasing biodiesel, it’s important to verify the fuel meets ASTM specifications for the blend you are buying. Table 1 provides a handy reference for various biodiesel blends.

Table 1. Biodiesel Fuel Standards

Blends ASTM Standard

B0 - B5 D975 (same as diesel)

B6 - B20 D7467

B100 D6751

For blends B21 - B99, the diesel and biodiesel must meet D975 and D6751 standards, respectively

"We've been using biodiesel for approximately 25 years. We use a B20 blend. We started using it for two reasons. One reason was I thought it was better on the equipment. The other reason was we grow soybeans, so we would be supporting our own industry."

–

Rob Steenbergh (soybean farmer from Sanilac County, MI)

Ron and Rob Steenbergh

Blends up to 20 percent biodiesel that meet ASTM specifications can operate in any type of diesel-powered equipment. Some engines can run on higher blends, up to B100. These are examples of the equipment manufacturers that approve biodiesel for most equipment models:

• AGCO

• CNH (Case IH and New Holland)

• John Deere

• Kubota

“Refer to your equipment manual or consult the manufacturer to confirm recommended fuel blends and considerations when using biodiesel,” Campbell says.

In addition, farmers should ask about the manufacturer’s BQ-9000 accreditation, a program that ensures consistent, high-quality biodiesel production. The two biodiesel producers in Michigan, W2 Fuel and Thumb BioEnergy, are both BQ-9000 accredited.

Farmers in Michigan have successfully used blends like B5, B20, and even B50 for years without experiencing downtime or fuel quality issues. Many nearby states have incentives that drive biodiesel use, including a B20 mandate in Minnesota and a B11 to B17 sales tax incentive in Illinois.

Preparing Biodiesel for Cold Weather

If you plan to fuel your combine, tractors or other equipment with biodiesel this fall, know that you can safely store biodiesel over the winter and be ready for field work come spring. When maintained under proper conditions, B20 that meets ASTM specifications can be stored for a year or longer. 2

Today’s high-quality biodiesel blends can also perform well in cold weather for farmers who operate tractors and other diesel equipment yearround. Regularly check your fuel tank for water and contaminants and ask your fuel supplier about winter fuel additives to enhance cold flow properties.

“Regardless of the season and type of fuel used, all fuel storage tanks should be well-maintained and inspected regularly. For optimal performance, keep your fuel storage tank clean and free from water, microbial activity, or other contaminants,” says Pete Probst, Technical Director, Michigan Advanced Biofuels Coalition (MiABC).

The Michigan Soybean Committee founded MiABC in 2022 to support and expand the state’s use of biodiesel and other advanced biofuels.

For more information and resources for biodiesel use, visit miadvancedbiofuels.com

Key Biodiesel Benefits

• Supports the Michigan economy

• Better engine performance with improved lubricity and higher cetane

• Lower harmful particulates and greenhouse gas emissions compared to petroleum diesel

• Non-toxic and biodegradable

The Michigan Soybean Committee also partnered with YouTuber Alexis Dahl to film a video about biodiesel production and use in Michigan!

Scan here or search for Alexis Dahl on YouTube to watch!

References

1. Iowa Soybean Association. Biodiesel Production Remains Profitable Amid Renewable Diesel Surge. https://www. iasoybeans.com/newsroom/article/biodiesel-productionremains-profitable-amid-renewable-diesel-expansion Accessed June 16, 2025.

2. Christensen, E., McCormick, RL. Long-term storage stability of biodiesel and biodiesel blends. Fuel Processing Technology. (2014) 128:339-348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. fuproc.2014.07.045.

No Payoff From High STP: Save Fertilizer and Protect Water Quality

Dr. Ehsan Ghane, Drainage Extension Specialist, Michigan State University

Lake Erie continues to experience summer algal blooms due to excess phosphorus. While phosphorus (P) enters the lake from various sources, agriculture remains the dominant contributor. Recent research highlights the significant role of legacy phosphorus - phosphorus that has accumulated in soils over time - in fueling these blooms. If your soil already tests high in phosphorus, adding more won’t improve yields, but it can harm your bottom line and local water quality. Read more about legacy phosphorus at bit. ly/legacyp

Why is High STP a Problem?

Figure 1- High soil test phosphorus (STP) fields lose more P per acre, even though they make up a small share of the landscape (Data source: Byers et al. 2025).

New research confirms that high soil test phosphorus (STP) levels are a disproportionate source of phosphorus loss to surface water (Figure 1). In a study of 41 fields in the Western Lake Erie Basin (Byers et al. 2025), fields with STP levels above 75 ppm contributed up to 34 percent of dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) loads, even though they represented only 10 percent of the landscape. These elevated-STP fields are not the dominant source of phosphorus loss, but they do contribute more per acre than fields with lower STP. Drawdown of STP levels is a slow but necessary strategy to mitigate high phosphorus concentrations and address legacy phosphorus losses to surface water.

What is STP Drawdown?

Soil test phosphorus drawdown refers to the gradual reduction of phosphorus levels in soil through crop uptake, without additional phosphorus fertilizer applications. While this is a key strategy for reducing phosphorus loss to water bodies, it’s a slow process. A recent study by Gatiboni et al. (2025) found that it can take up to 16 years to reduce STP by half in high-testing soils.

No Yield or Profit Gain from High STP Levels

A separate study by Kaiser et al. (2025) confirms that maintaining high to very high STP levels offers no yield or economic advantage for corn and soybean production (Figure 2). In fact, a greater return on

investment comes from fertilizing when STP is in the low to medium range. Maintaining STP at or slightly above the critical level ensures productivity without the excess risk of nutrient loss.

Recommendation: Keep STP Within Tri-State Guidelines

The Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations provide target STP ranges that balance agronomic productivity with environmental stewardship. Fields with high STP should prioritize drawdown through crop removal and avoid unnecessary phosphorus applications. For fields with low or medium STP, applying phosphorus based on crop needs is sufficient to maintain yields without increasing environmental risk.

Figure 2- Maintaining STP at or slightly above the critical level ensures productivity without the excess risk of nutrient loss (Data source: Kaiser et al. 2025).

America’s soybean farmers are at the heart of our nation’s future. By supporting clean fuels, you’re not just fueling vehicles. In 2025, clean fuels will utilize 13.6 billion pounds of soybean oil.

U.S. agriculture.

Deer Damage Eats Into Yield and Profits

Farmers put a lot of time and effort into protecting their crops from pests, diseases and yield-damaging environmental conditions. Some crop pests are best handled as they show up throughout the season. If an outbreak of a particular pest such as an insect, disease or weed is found, an action plan is quickly developed and executed to protect the crop.

One exception to the effective system of protecting crops from yield loss is the growing herd and appetite of Michigan’s white-tailed deer. Soybeans, especially young seedlings, are a favorite of Michigan deer. In many cases, the sheer number of deer and their repeated feeding in the same soybean fields prevents growth and kills plants, leading to extreme or in some cases total losses of yield.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is charged with managing wildlife in the state, especially through hunting regulations. Their decisions about the number of deer that can be taken per hunter, the correlation of antlerless and antlered deer allowed, the ability to bait deer, dates of hunting seasons, requiring an antlerless harvest before allowing an antlered license, and crop damage permits all play a role in the number of deer harvested per year. The DNR has stated that 40 percent of the deer herd needs to be harvested each year just to keep the population from growing, and more than 40 percent need to be harvested to thin the herd.

The Michigan Soybean Committee has utilized farmer checkoff investments to evaluate control of deer feeding in soybeans by testing the effect of sprayable deterrents. These have a place for reducing feeding in some cases but haven’t been effective under high feeding pressure. MSC has also funded research to measure the preference of soybeans by measuring plant tissue sugar content. That research found that deer prefer sweeter soybeans. This information can help farmers select soybean varieties with lower plant tissue sugar content for fields in which deer pressure is anticipated. Ongoing research is also being conducted to estimate soybean yield loss from deer feeding by establishing exclusion cages.

Unfortunately, to this point, research has not found a deterrent that works consistently under the extreme feeding conditions that many farmers are experiencing. There are many organizations that are working to thin the deer herd and several of them have access to refrigerated trailers to help supply the harvested deer meat to those in need. The DNR is also providing access to Deer Management Assistance Permits for farmers that are being severely impacted by the growing population. If you are interested in learning more about these organizations or permits, you will find a list with links to more information to the right, along with a link to wild game processors in the state. All of these links can also be accessed at michigansoybean.org/deer-damage-resources

Deer Damage Resources

• Hunt MI Collaborative - huntmicollaborative.com

• Sportsmen Against Hunger - sportsmenagainsthunger.org

• Hunters Against Hunger - huntersagainsthunger.com

• Hunters Feeding Michigan (MDNR) - michigan.gov/dnr/about/get-involved/ hunters-feeding-michigan

• Doe Patrol - doepatrolmi.com

• Obtaining Deer Management Assistance Permits - michigan.gov/dnr/managingresources/wildlife/wildlife-permits/deer-management-assistance-permits

• Local deer processing options - michigan.gov/dnr/managing-resources/wildlife/ wildlife-permits/meat-processor/directory-of-wild-game-meat-processors

We put soybeans ﬁrst because you put performance ﬁrst.

At Asgrow ® brand, not only are we all about the beans, we’re all about your success as well. That’s why we o er localized products with leading genetics, weed management systems and maximum pro t potential – all developed by soybean experts who put soybeans rst.

DISCOVER HOW IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BEANS. Asgrow.com

Summer Internship Wrap-ups

My name is Ellie Possehn and this summer I had the privilege of serving as the communication and outreach intern for the Michigan Soybean Committee. As a junior at Michigan State University majoring in Agribusiness Management, I was eager to gain real-world experience and learn more about the soybean industry from the ground up.

My internship focused on promoting the impact of Michigan’s soybean checkoff program with farmer-invested dollars; these dollars support research, market development and education. I worked on public outreach and communication efforts designed to connect people to soybeans and the farmers who grow them. From in-person events to social media content, each project gave me a chance to apply classroom knowledge in a meaningful way.

One of the highlights of my internship was coordinating the Ag Intern Mixer, a networking event that brought together college students who were interning across Michigan’s ag sector this summer. More than 20 companies were represented, and interns came from a variety of universities. The event featured roundtable discussions where groups shared internship experiences, discussed ag-related topics and built connections. Helping plan and run the event was incredibly rewarding and it showed me just how valuable peer-to-peer collaboration can be in shaping future ag careers.

In addition to the mixer, I had the opportunity to support several outreach efforts throughout the summer. At the Detroit Central Market Days in Greenfield Village, we engaged with consumers and highlighted the everyday impact of soybeans. I also helped coordinate MSC’s presence at three summer minor league baseball games and attended the USSEC Intern Retreat in St. Louis, MO where I connected with interns from across the country and learned about soy’s role in global commerce.

These experiences helped sharpen my communication skills and gave me a clearer idea of the types of roles I hope to pursue in the future. I found a strong interest in areas like ag communications, producer engagement and industry relations - careers that would allow me to advocate for farmers and represent the work they do. Being hands-on this summer made me even more passionate about staying involved in agriculture after graduation.

I’m especially thankful to the Michigan Soybean Committee staff for making this internship such a valuable experience. A special thank you to Sonja and Katlin for your mentorship, guidance and the encouragement you gave me every step of the way. As I wrap up the summer, I’m grateful not only for the skills I gained, but also for the relationships I built and the clarity I now have about my future in agriculture.

Activation at Minor League Baseball Game

Detroit Central Market at Greenfield Village

Hello, my name is Bella Perdue. After graduating from Alma Senior High school, I decided to go to college at Oklahoma State University. I am now entering my sophomore year at OSU.

At OSU, I am pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science with a concentration in Production and Operations as well as minoring in Agribusiness and Ag Economics. With this degree I hope to get a job in livestock embryology and focus on the animal reproduction sector of agriculture. Throughout high school, I raised and showed livestock so I have a strong interest in continuing to work with livestock as I move towards entering the workforce.

This summer I was given the opportunity to work on a dual internship. The internship was facilitated through a partnership between the Michigan Soybean Committee and Michigan State University Extension. Throughout the summer I learned many new skills. Some of my key tasks included soil sampling, taking stand counts, tissue sampling, conducting defoliation scoring, and data collection.

I also occasionally helped the outreach team and collected content to be used later. One of my favorite events I participated in this summer with MSC was the Ag Intern Mixer! This event was put on by the outreach team and attracted nearly 50 interns from Michigan to the event.

Flying a Drone Over a Trial Field

Taking Stand Counts

Coastal Fish Farms Could Help Raise U.S. Soybean Profile, Usage

Nearly 45 miles southwest of Sarasota situated on the Florida coastline, in warm Gulf waters, mariculture developer Neil Anthony Sims and his company, Ocean Era, have an historic opportunity to prove the viability of open-ocean aquaculture — which could in turn lead to more demand for U.S.-grown soybeans formulated into marine feed.

Through the nation’s first finfish demonstration project allowed in federal waters, Hawaii-based Ocean Era will raise approximately 20,000 red drum fish — or about 1 percent of a full-size offshore fish farm’s production — in a net pen over a 12-month period. Sims explains the two main purposes of this Florida Velella Epsilon project are to show local fishing and boating communities that offshore farming can live with them harmoniously in public waters, and to pioneer a permitting pathway for open-ocean aquaculture.

He notes the modified NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit for this 1 percent demo project alone took seven years to be approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Pro-aquaculture and other groups continue to lobby federal legislators for measures that would simplify and streamline permitting for future projects, as well as establish a dedicated federal office to oversee offshore aquaculture development.

“We as an industry, and as marine biologists and environmentalists, want to see a rigorous regulatory framework for offshore aquaculture,” Sims noted. “However, we need to make the permit process less onerous.”

Ocean Era’s net pen cage consists of a lightweight monofilament woven into a mesh over a submersible pen that can be adjusted for wave and current conditions — floating on the ocean surface or lowered as conditions dictate.

Open-ocean fish farming is one way the U.S. can raise its production level of seafood, says Soy Aquaculture Alliance (SAA) Executive Director Easton Kuboushek. The U.S. imports 85-90 percent of the seafood its people eat, and demand is expected to continue to rise over the coming decades. This would also increase domestic food security and support contributory supply chains — notably homegrown soybeans.

“Farming fish responsibly offshore can coexist alongside wild-capture fishing and help support coastal and other economies, including small rural farming communities, by producing fresh local seafood right here, without harming coastal waters,” he added.

Sims explains the fish Ocean Era has farmed in Hawaii for decades, kanpachi, has experienced “very good growth” on a diet of reduced fish meal and up to 40 percent soy protein concentrate. “We’re also excited and very grateful to SAA and the U.S. soy industry for their support of some trials which are about to start here in Hawaii with nenue,” he said.

Nenue is an herbivorous fish that naturally feeds on seaweed, so it’s thought it will thrive on a soy formulation as well, particularly since the kanpachi is carnivorous and has shown to benefit from soy nutrition.

“Trials such as this, coupled with efforts to expand offshore aquaculture, means the potential for growth of demand for meal and other soy-related nutrition in finfish diets has nowhere to go but up,” said Kuboushek.

Soybean Oil-Based Dust Control Outperforms Brine in Early Michigan Tech Pilot Study

Michigan Technological University (MTU), with support from the Michigan Soybean Committee, has launched a significant field application for dust control on two gravel roads in Clare County. This pilot project, conducted by Prof. Zhanping You's team, aims to thoroughly evaluate soybean oil-based dust suppressants in real-world conditions. Researchers are comparing various application rates and techniques against traditional calcium brine and untreated control sections. Crucial construction support was provided by the Clare County Road Commission, led by its Managing Director, Dewayne Rogers. This research highlights the environmental importance of using a renewable, bio-based solutions for dust control.

The trial includes six treated road sections. Five sections use soybean oil with different dilution rates and methods, while one employs calcium chloride (brine) as a benchmark. Construction steps included pre-blending, suppressant application, blending and compaction.

Soybean Oil Outperforms Brine in Early PM Testing

Initial dust emission testing, using a mobile monitoring vehicle equipped with three Particulate Matter (PM) sensors, yielded compelling results. PM refers to a complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets in the air. The vehicle passed through each treated section to simulate traffic, and data clearly indicates that soybean oil suppressants significantly outperform brine in reducing airborne particulate matter.

Compared to the untreated control, the brinetreated section reduced PM levels by 81-82 percent. However, soybean oil-treated sections achieved even greater reductions, reaching up to 96 percent reduction. Notably, even the lowest soybean oil application rate (373 gallons/mile) demonstrated superior performance.

Backed by Laboratory Evidence

These promising field results are further substantiated by extensive laboratory tests conducted prior to field implementation at MTU’s road materials facility. Researchers simulated water erosion, wind erosion and traffic load stability. The results consistently showed that soybean oil outperformed brine across all performance metrics.

Multiple Configurations Under Study and Future Steps

The comprehensive study design not only tests a range of application rates, but also compares different application techniques. For lower application rates, a quantity of water was applied to the gravel surface before the soybean oil. For sections with the same application rate, researchers are directly comparing the effects of blending the soybean oil into the gravel after application versus unblended application.

The team will continue monitoring dust control performance throughout the season, collecting long-term data. Moving forward, the focus will be on reducing application costs while maintaining dust control effectiveness. Researchers also plan to conduct Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies to better understand the environmental benefits of soybean-based suppressants, aiming to promote them as a sustainable and practical solution for gravel road dust control.

Thinking About Collecting Yield Data With Your Combine?

Eric Anderson, MSU Extension Statewide Soybean Educator

There are two general ways to measure yield during grain harvest. The simplest, low-tech method is to transfer each load from the combine to a grain cart equipped with load cells or a truck that is then taken to local scales to get a per-load weight. In this case, a grain sample should be measured with a calibrated moisture tester to calculate bushels per acre at standard moisture levels (13 percent for soybean, 15.5 percent for corn, 13.5 percent for wheat). Yield can only be determined for the area harvested with a given load, or for the entire field, which is perfectly fine if that is your only goal. However, to take measurements continuously across the field to generate a yield map, a system of yield monitoring must be in place and maintained properly. We work with farmers using both methods in the Michigan Soybean On-Farm Research Program. However, this article will focus on the latter system.

Yield monitors have been available since the early 1990s, although for many years most farmers were only generating “pretty pictures” of yield with little actionable usefulness. More recently, farmers and agronomists have been using yield data to create management zones and prescriptions for planting and making applications of lime and fertilizer.

Another reason for creating quality yield maps is to track profitability over time across a crop rotation. Collecting accurate yield data from the combine is essential because it provides a detailed view of crop productivity, highlighting areas of high, medium and low yield over time (Figure 1). Using this data, we can calculate net profitability by subtracting production costs from the revenue (yield multiplied by grain price). The result is a profitability map that shows where we’re making or losing money in the field. Creating zones based on these yields can help farmers make management decisions with land use to determine ways to improve their profitability for entire fields.

a yield

Yield data is a critical input for generating these tools, so it is important to make sure the data is accurate and precise. You have likely heard the phrase “garbage in, garbage out” applied to crop harvest data quality and the ability to make management decisions based on yield maps, so here are several steps you can take to prepare to collect quality yield data.

Before Harvest Season

• Scout fields in-season to look for patterns or areas of concern, e.g. ponding/saturation, wildlife damage, sandy/dry ridges, intense insect/disease pressure

• Consider capturing aerial imagery to overlay onto yield maps, or create .shp files using GIS software

• Use this information to decide what areas to remove from data analysis when performing comparative trials, e.g. varieties, fertilizer or pest management products

• Back up all precision data collected in past years in separate folders for each year and clear old data from the yield monitor to make data download faster at the end of the season

• Ensure all farm employees have basic training on how to use monitors and that all monitors are feeding properly into your data management platform, if applicable, especially if more than one combine will be used in a given field

Figure 1. Grain yield (top left) and profitability (top right) maps for soybean and

stability map including 19 years of data (bottom). Maps produced by the Basso Digital Agronomy Lab, courtesy of Rich Price.

Investing Checkoff Dollars

• Inspect combine and grain handling equipment, repair areas where leaks may occur

• Make sure monitor firmware is up to date

During Harvest Season

The most important part of preparing for data collection is calibrating the yield monitor. Perform calibrations for each crop type at the beginning of the season and if crop conditions (e.g. moisture level, test weight) change significantly from one field to the next. Calibrations should include: 1) mass flow sensor, 2) moisture sensor, 3) lag time setting, 4) header position setting, 5) distance traveled measurement, and 6) header cut width setting. Specific instructions for performing these steps will be found in the operator’s manual of your combine. The goal is for yield monitor readings to match actual load weights to within 1–2 percent.

In addition to the owner’s manual, two key resources for calibrating combines will be the MSU Extension article, “Yield Monitor Calibration Procedure” by Dennis Pennington, and The Ohio State University Extension’s ANR-8 fact sheet, “Tips for Calibrating Grain Yield Monitors—Maximizing Value of Your Yield Data”. The OSU Extension Harvest Technologies website also includes quick guides for several popular yield monitor brands and models, but I have found YouTube to be helpful as well.

Most yield monitors allow for multiple loads per calibration which is important because a monitor may be accurate at “the average” yield level but may over- or under-estimate yield in areas of the field with higher or lower yields than the average. Performing a two-point calibration (e.g. high and low speed, or full and partial header width) will not likely be sufficient since mass flow sensor response is typically not linear. Newer yield monitors with continuous calibration such as John Deere’s ActiveYield or Precision Planting’s YieldSense can produce quality yield maps with much less time and effort in calibrating. HOWEVER, it is not recommended to use the auto-calibration system when pass-to-pass accuracy is needed such as when harvesting research plots or test strips, as it can lead to inaccurate yield data (Figure 2).

Things to consider as you progress through harvest season:

• Verify GPS offsets and other machine settings like header width, number of rows and header mount points in the yield monitor for accurate geo-referencing of data

• Make sure the monitor recognizes all connected modules at the beginning of each field

• Monitor header loss at the beginning of each field or if crop conditions change, and adjust to minimize losses

• Confirm the combine is reading to within 1-2 percent of actual load weights at least every few days and “true up” the monitor as needed Making future management decisions relies heavily on collecting precise and accurate yield data. You can’t always plan for the unexpected, but following the above guidelines and best practices can help get you set up for successful data collection this harvest season.

Figure 2. Soybean yield map overlaid on fungicide application map (in blue) in a white mold trial showing treatment effect in the Michigan Soybean On-Farm Research Trial program.

Great Turnout for Soybean Nights at the Ballpark

For the fourth year in a row, Michigan soybean farmers came together to enjoy an evening of baseball and camaraderie during MSC’s summer Night at the Ballpark series. Farmers were able to converse with old friends and meet new ones and consumers were able to learn more about how they can “Score Big with Soy”.

The week long series of baseball games kicked off at the Lansing Lugnuts game on July 30th, followed by the West Michigan Whitecaps game in Comstock Park on August 5th and ended in Midland with the Great Lakes Loons on August 6th. Between the three games, nearly 300 soybean farmers attended to help us celebrate Michigan agriculture while enjoying America's pastime.

At each of the games, MSC hosted an outreach booth on the concourse where fans of all ages could stop by, answer soybean trivia questions and win prizes. These interactions allowed guests to learn surprising facts about soybeans, from its use in food products to its inclusion in everyday products like biodiesel or tires.

Each year, MSC’s baseball and other sports related events continue to be a fan favorite, combining education and entertainment and allowing farmers to build lasting relationships with the communities they feed.

Agriculture Day at Spartan Stadium

The Michigan Soybean Committee is excited to partner once again with Michigan State University Athletics to sponsor the MSU football game on September 13, 2025. New this year, MSU is hosting their inaugural Agriculture Game! Through a collaboration between the Michigan Soybean Committee and several other ag organizations across the state, fans will experience a game day highlighting MSU’s agricultural roots. This exciting game will highlight Michigan’s agricultural community and the farmers who make it all possible.

Prior to kickoff, Spartan fans can stop by FanFest to visit interactive booths from ag organizations to learn more about Michigan agriculture, pick up awesome giveaways and talk with local farmers. In addition to the exciting activities in FanFest, Michigan Soybean will be doing our annual donut drops. Our team will hit the pavement and surprise tailgaters across campus with fresh donuts fried using high oleic soybean oil. Each donut is a tasty way to learn more about the many ways that soybeans are used every single day!

Throughout the game, ag facts will be shared on the big screen showcasing the impact of agriculture on our state along with fun agricultural tie-ins throughout the game!

We hope to see you at our booth or in the stands on game day. Stop by the booth to say hello, snap a photo, and help us celebrate the role soybeans play in Michigan’s agriculture industry.

Mark your calendar for September 13th. Whether you're cheering from the stands or supporting from home, we’re proud to bring soybeans to MSU’s inaugural Ag Game!

It's Not Just Fun and Games; the Soybean Checkoff Delivers Real Results

The Michigan Soybean Committee brought energy to the 2025 AgroExpo with a carnival themed booth designed to educate, engage and entertain farmers and their families. AgroExpo is Michigan’s premier outdoor farm show, connecting farmers, commodity groups and agribusinesses to showcase the latest innovations and technologies in agriculture.

The MSC carnival themed booth featured four interactive games, each tied to a key pillar of the soybean checkoff and industry. The games were themed around outreach, market development, production and the Michigan Soybean Association. Each game was designed to test attendees’ knowledge about the soybean industry while incorporating fun and prizes. The interactive approach not only drew in farmers, agribusiness professionals, FFA students, and children but also helped strengthen understanding of how the soybean checkoff and association work together to benefit Michigan soybean farmers.

No carnival is ever complete without great food. Visitors to the MSC booth were treated to ribbon fries and donuts fried in high oleic soybean oil - a delicious way to showcase the versatility of soy. Visitors to the booth were surprised to learn that high oleic soybean oil offers an extended fry life, excellent cooking performance and a healthier nutritional profile. Serving these treats created the perfect opportunity to talk with about the opportunities available to grow high oleic soybeans and other specialty varieties in Michigan.

By blending education with entertainment, the Michigan Soybean Committee’s carnival-themed booth turned learning about soy into a truly memorable experience.

From the need for land, buildings, renovations, or anything in between, GreenStone has been helping farmers make the investment in the land they need for over a century.

With locations across Michigan and northeast Wisconsin, we’re here when you’re ready to talk.

Diagnostic Analysis Programs at MSU

Herbicide Resistant Weed Screening

For over 10 years, the MSU Plant & Pest Diagnostics lab has tested weeds suspected of being herbicide-resistant using greenhouse assays. In the mid-2010s the greatest concern was still in glyphosate resistance, but that has shifted along with advances in soybean herbicide-resistant traits to see requests for synthetic auxin (group 4) and HPPD inhibitors (group 27), and PPO inhibitor (group 14) testing. We have also seen the spectrum of species increase from pigweeds, ragweeds and marestail to a variety of grasses and other broadleaf species. Plants grown from the submitted seed are treated not only with the herbicide(s) of interest, but also with four to six additional herbicide sites of action, providing a comprehensive view of any issues to help plan your integrated weed management programs.

Some of the new-to-MI resistance confirmations:

Weed Species Herbicide & Group # Year

Annual ryegrass Roundup (9) 2020

Common ragweed Stinger (4) 2017

Johnsongrass Accent Q (2) 2021

Large crabgrass SelectMax (1) 2018

Palmer amaranth Flexstar (14)+glyphosate 2018

Roundup+Harmony (2)+Atrazine (5)* 2014

Purple amaranth Lorox (5) and Caparol (5) 2019

Waterhemp 2,4-d (4)+Roundup 2024

Roundup+Harmony+Atrazine (5) 2020

*First confirmed by Dr. Christy Sprague’s research team

Soybean Cyst Nematode Testing

As of summer 2024, soybean cyst nematode (SCN) has expanded into Clare County, now affecting all of Michigan’s major soybeanproducing regions. This spread highlights the need for continued monitoring and strategic management by growers. SCN is a leading cause of yield loss, with infestations resulting in poor stands, stunted growth, yellow foliage, and yield reductions ranging from five to 90 percent.

If SCN is detected, growers have management options: rotate sources of soybean cyst nematode resistance between PI88788 and Peking, plant

To view the complete listing of confirmations via interactive map, please visit our website at the QR code below.

Submitting your samples is crucial in helping to monitor the occurrence and spread of herbicideresistant weed issues and to inform the research conducted at MSU. The service is free for soybean growers, thanks to the Michigan Soybean Committee and your checkoff dollars. You can find information on how to submit mature seed samples for screening this fall at the same QR code. The submission deadline is mid-November. For questions, contact Erin Hill, Weed Science Diagnostician at hiller12@ msu.edu .

Erin Hill preparing herbicide stock solutions for applications in the single nozzle sprayer.

non-host crops such as wheat and corn, and utilize seed treatments when available. SCN spread occurs by movement of infested soil. It is also important to clean equipment between fields to prevent soybean cyst nematode from spreading into uninfected fields. Combining these strategies will provide a comprehensive approach to managing soybean cyst nematode and minimizing its impact on soybean yield.

For more information on SCN and how to manage it effectively, growers can visit the SCN Coalition website (QR code provided). It offers tools like

Dr.

the SCN Profit Checker and guidance on rotating resistant varieties and non-host crops. The site is a valuable resource for staying ahead of SCN and protecting soybean yields.

Fall is the ideal time to sample for SCN ahead of the next growing season. The Michigan Soybean Committee funds free testing through the MSU Plant & Pest Diagnostics lab. Samples should include soil and/or roots from suspect fields and must be submitted with a hard copy of the MSC-designated form found on the Plant & Pest Diagnostics website.

For questions about sampling or type testing, contact Angie Tenney, Nematode Diagnostician at millera3@msu.edu

SCN Coalition website:

NCSRP Summer Meeting

TMichigan counties positive for SCN as of 2025

he North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP) gathered in Minnesota for its annual summer meeting. As a northern Midwest state, Minnesota soybean growers share many of the soybean production challenges that we have in Michigan, and that are addressed by the collaborative efforts of NCSRP's thirteen member states. The NCSRP board of directors (one farmer from each of the thirteen member states) and state soybean research staff received information and a research farm tour from University of Minnesota researchers and made a visit to a lock and dam on the upper Mississippi River. University of Minnesota researchers shared the status of their most important soybean research areas including nitrogen fixation, traditional breeding, gene editing, critical growth stages for soybean yield, herbicide resistant weed control and new soybean insect issues. A couple of new insects that are being studied are Soybean Tentiform Leafminer and Soybean Gall Midge. These are found in multiple states now but haven’t been identified in Michigan yet. We also learned more about the University of Minnesota's Soybean Research Center, which encourages researchers from many disciplines to collaborate to help solve complex soybean issues by combining expertise and energy.

Another important task of the summer meeting was to select research projects for funding in 2026. Contributions from the thirteen member states provided funding totaling more than $3 million. Due to decreasing soybean prices and checkoff revenue, the task of choosing projects to fund was especially difficult this year. Impressive teams of top researchers in the region collaborate to build research project proposals that will address critical soybean production issues. While the directors have made funding decisions, negotiations are ongoing with researchers before funding announcements will be made. The formation of research teams by program area such as insect pests, plant diseases, soybean breeding and soybean cyst nematodes has built more opportunities for widespread impactmuch more than any state could accomplish alone.

The NCSRP has a very effective system for addressing the most pressing soybean production issues in the largest soybean growing area of the country. It is another example of the wise investment of soybean grower checkoff contributions.

Soy-Based Firefighting Foam Builds Demand and Reduces Risk

In the spring of 2025, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services changed the screening requirements used to assess the risk associated with consuming fish contaminated with PFOS. PFOS is part of the PFAS family, also known as “forever chemicals.” This change in screening requirements resulted in there now being 98 bodies of water in Michigan that have a “Do Not Eat” advisory for at least one fish species.

One of the many causes of PFAS contamination is the foam products that are currently used to fight fires. Until now, there has not been a satisfactory alternative to these PFAS-containing foams that pose a huge risk to not only the environment, but the firefighters that use them.

SoyFoam, a new soy flour-based firefighting foam contains no PFAS or fluorine, solving both the environmental and human health issues related to firefighting foams. This foam is a certified USDA BioPreferred product and is made of more than 70 percent biobased materials, meaning it is completely biodegradable.

SoyFoam is National Fire Protection Association 18 certified and has demonstrated vapor suppression on a variety of Class B hydrocarbon fuel sources and Class A woodland materials. Additionally, this new product has no special handling requirements and is designed to work with traditional foam concentrate dispensing equipment.

In May, the Michigan Soybean Committee partnered with PK Foam Solutions (Michigan’s SoyFoam distributor) to host a SoyFoam demo in Stanton, Michigan. Firefighters from around Montcalm County gathered to see the product used and ask questions about the new foam.

Brian Brasington, Chief of the Stanton Township Fire Department said, “I was really impressed with the one percent solution and the amount of foam that it gave, then the three percent was even better.

It places a great blanket out there. The PFAS and environmentally friendly aspect is a bonus to getting SoyFoam onto a truck. The non-carcinogen is really the huge bonus though that makes me really want to utilize this foam at our department.”

PK Foam Solutions is located in Climax, MI and distributes SoyFoam throughout Michigan, northern Indiana and northern Ohio. They are led by Patrick Butler, a long-time firefighter and cancer survivor. Butler states, “This product is the only GreenScreen Certified Gold™ Fire Foam. This product is good for the environment, good for soybean farmers and good for firefighters. They’ve determined that PFAS causes cancer, and after battling bladder cancer for three years and being declared cancer-free just last week, I can say with confidence that this product is needed in the firefighting industry. SoyFoam contains no PFAS, meaning it won’t harm firefighters, farmers, or the environment.”

SoyFoam also helps create a new market for the meal portion of soybeans. Each 55 gallon drum of SoyFoam contains 2.5 bushels (over 150 pounds) of soybeans. It is important to continue to develop new biobased products, like SoyFoam, to diversify the soy use portfolio and ensure a wide range of markets for farmers.

If you have questions about SoyFoam, please reach out to MSC’s market development director at hcampbell@michigansoybean.org or PK Foam Solutions at pkfoamsolutions@gmail.com

Soybeans Go to School Kit

Again this year, the Michigan Soybean Committee is offering their Soybeans Go to School Kit to Michigan teachers. The kit is offered free, compliments of Michigan soybean producers through their investment in the soybean checkoff. The comprehensive kit is aimed toward third, fourth, and fifthgrade students. Lessons include the growth of a soybean plant, how soybeans impact our everyday lives, the history of the soybean, and so much more!

Since its inception in 1999, the Soybeans Go to School Kit has served over 250,000 students across the state of Michigan, ranging from lower Michigan all the way to the Upper Peninsula!