Find out how ASA/WISHH’s soy checkoff-supported work with Edesia Nutrition led to the company developing a product that contains 25% more soy flour than earlier formulations. Adding more soy allows Edesia to reach more people throughout the world.
Trade. Development. Food Security.
Top photo courtesy of SNI Global
Soybean Staff
Ben Steyer Chief Executive Officer bsteyer@michigansoybean.org
Kathy Maurer Financial Director kmaurer@michigansoybean.org
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
Michigan Soybean Association 3055 W M-21 St. Johns, MI 48879 Phone: 989.652.3294 soyinfo@michigansoybean.org
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Sonja Lapak slapak@michigansoybean.org
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Magazine Circulation: 19,000 Michigan Soybean News is published quarterly.
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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 Association
Larry Phelps, Vicksburg
Gary Parr, Charlotte
Tom Woelmer, Monroe
Karen Warner, Yale
Allison Morse, Birch Run
PJ Feldpausch, St. Johns
Matthew Wila, Blanchard
Rob Howland, Brown City
Heather Feuerstein, Belding
Michigan Soybean Committee
Dan Rajzer, Decatur
Pete Crawford, Dansville
Laurie Isley, Palmyra
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
Ed Cagney, Scotts
US Soybean Export Council
Dave Williams, Elsie
Clean Fuels Alliance America
Matt Stutzman, Adrian
Soy Aquaculture Alliance
Alan Moore, Bannister
Soy Transportation Coalition
Dan Rajzer, Decatur
World Initiative for Soy in Human Health
Doug Darling, Maybee
Specialty Soya & Grains Alliance
Steve Peach, Plymouth
USA Poultry & Egg Export Council
Mark Trowbridge, Leonidas
US Meat Export Federation
Brian Pridgeon, Montgomery
Farm Produce Insurance Fund
Jason Haag, Unionville
As we approach 2024, MSA board members and staff are busy preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Michigan Soybean Association. But we need your help!
If you or someone you know are a longtime member of the Michigan Soybean Association and have stories or memories to share, please reach out! We are hoping to record videos of members, and gather photos, articles and other memorabilia to share at upcoming events.
The year of celebration will kick off with MSA's Annual Meeting of Members, which will be held in conjunction with the Great Lakes Crop Summit in Mt. Pleasant on Wednesday, January 24, 2023. Please plan to attend!
If you have any photos, articles, or other memories you'd like to share, please email slapak@michigansoybean.org or mail items to 3055 W M-21, St. Johns, MI 48879, attn: Sonja Lapak. We appreciate your help as we recognize the great things that have happened over the last 50 years and look forward to many more exciting achievements in the next 50!
Bored of being stuck at home in 2020, I impulsively decided I wanted to start backpacking. I wanted to carry all of my gear on my back and hike into remote campsites. Growing up, my family had always been one that camped. My parents had a 25-foot 1993 travel trailer (they still have the same one!) with bunk beds in the back. We spent most of our summer weekends exploring state parks in Michigan. Most of our camping happened at campgrounds with electricity, bathrooms and showers. Occasionally we would camp at rustic sites, but even then our camper had a bathroom and battery-powered lights. Needless to say, I had never done something quite so adventurous as backpacking.
After a bit of convincing, I managed to persuade my dad and sister to take weekend backpacking trip with me. Our first trip out was interesting to say the least! None of us had the correct gear, my sister had most of her things haphazardly tied to the outside of her backpack with string, my dad froze all night since he only brought shorts, and I forgot to bring the paper map that I had printed out. Despite our setbacks, as we watched the sunset over Lake Michigan with absolutely no one else around I knew I was hooked!
After a few trips, it seemed like we were getting the hang of things. Eager to tackle a bucket list hike, I convinced my family (including my mom and my husband who had never backpacked before) to head to Pictured Rocks for a long weekend. After numerous shopping trips and careful preparation, we set out to backpack 40 miles of the North Country Trail, which traces the shoreline of Lake Superior from Grand Marais to Munising. We spent four days immersed in nature carrying everything that we would need with us, watching the waves crash against the shore far below, gazing up at the stars at night, and just putting one foot in front of the other down the trail. It was an incredible experience that deepened my appreciation for the natural world.
The connection between backpacking and agriculture resonates deeply with me. Both require us to appreciate the earth and all of its resources. Responsible backpacking follows the seven Leave No Trace Principals: plan ahead and prepare, travel and camp on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife, and be considerate of others. Though typically associated with backpacking and outdoor recreation, these principles parallel everything that we in the agriculture industry hold dear.
Farmers spend countless hours planning for the season ahead and then must constantly adapt to unforeseen circumstances. They understand the importance of biodiversity and environmental preservation, incorporating practices like crop rotation, IPM, and cover cropping to sustain the land for future generations. And finally, farmers are some of the most considerate people I know, always lending a hand to their neighbor.
The parallels between backpacking and agriculture highlight the importance of environmental stewardship and mindful interaction with the world around us. Both rely on responsible practices, embracing the value of leaving a minimal impact and nurturing the land. Both backpackers and farmers have a deep and innate love for the earth. If you ever find yourself on a backpacking trip with long hours of hiking time for contemplation, you might just come back with an even deeper love for the land than you left with.
The 2023 Michigan Soybean Association (MSA) is well underway. Entry forms were due at the end of August and participation is looking strong again this year.
MSA would like to thank the sponsors of this year's contest for their generous support. Without it, the contest would not be possible. This year, there are 12 participating seed company sponsors, as well as support from the Michigan Soybean Committee.
Harvest data is due at the end of November, and winners will be announced on social media in early December. They will also be recognized at the Great Lakes Crop Summit in January and in the spring issue of the Michigan Soybean News magazine.
Thank you to all who entered this year's contest! We are looking forward to more outstanding yields this year! Learn more about the contest at www.misoy.org/yield-contest .
NEW MEMBERS:
Darrell Dykhouse, Lake Odessa
RENEWING MEMBERS:
Adam Constine, Owosso
Jerry Poortenga, Hudsonville
In Late June, Rep. John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming) introduced House Bill 4847 to create tax incentives for biodiesel producers and retailers in Michigan. This bill is MSA’s number one legislative priority for this legislative session.
The goal of the bill is incentivizing the production and sale of biodiesel, which reduces engine emissions for healthier air and a better environment. Fleets have easily and economically reduced their carbon footprint by replacing petroleum-based diesel with cleaner-burning biodiesel for over 30 years.
We modeled our bill after what was recently successful in the Missouri Legislature. Specifically, the legislation would:
• Create a Retail Tax Credit
• .02 cents per gallon for B5-B10
• .05 cents per gallon for B11+
• Create a Producers Tax Credit
• .02 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 tax credits would be evenly distributed to all that participate in the program.
House Bill 4847 has been referred to the Tax Policy Committee in the Michigan House of Representatives. MSA’s Government Affairs team has spent a great deal of time this year educating legislators on the benefits of this legislation, and we are hopeful to start the committee process this fall.
MSA would like to thank Rep. Fitzgerald for his leadership on this important piece of legislation.
Rep. John Fitzgerald
The Michigan Soybean Association (MSA) is seeking nominations for board seats in the following districts:
• District 2 – Calhoun, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham and Jackson Counties
• At Large – any county in Michigan
To appear on the ballot, nominations must be received by October 23, 2023. All elected directors will hold the office for a term of three years. To be eligible for a seat on the board, one must be a soybean farmer residing in the district that he/she is seeking election and be a member of MSA in good standing.
According to the current bylaws, elections will be held via U.S. Mail. Ballots will be mailed to all members by November 6, 2023 and must be returned to the Michigan Soybean Association office by December 5, 2023.
Election results will be announced at MSA’s Annual Meeting, which will take place during the Great Lakes Crop Summit on January 24, 2024.
The MSA board typically holds quarterly meetings plus other events such as Legislative Outreach Farm Tours, a legislative luncheon at the Capitol, a Lansing Ag Club Breakfast and a variety of legislator and industry outreach events.
MSA works on important issues such as trade expansion, transportation and infrastructure, environmental regulation, advocacy for our major markets and implementation of the Farm Bill. Your service on the board will help Michigan soybean farmers’ voices be heard and have a greater impact 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.
First Name:_____________________________
Last Name:_____________________________
Address:_______________________________
City/State/Zip:___________________________
Phone:_________________________________
Cell Phone:_____________________________
Email:_________________________________
1-yr: $75 3-yr: $190
Non-Farmer Individual: $100 Young Farmer (18-24): $20
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.!
The second week of July was a busy one as Michigan Soybean Association farmer members and staff headed to Washington, D.C. for the American Soybean Association Annual Meeting and legislative visits on Capitol Hill. Farmerleaders Heather Feuerstein, Allie Morse and Doug Darling did a phenomenal job representing Michigan Soybean farmers during visits with legislators and their staff members. The group met with staff from Representative Bill Huizenga, Representative Elissa Slotkin, and Representative Hillary Scholten's office and also had meetings with Senator Debbie Stabenow, Representative Lisa McClain, Representative John Moolenaar, and Representative Tim Walberg. MSA extends their appreciation to the legislators and their staff members for taking the time to meet with our farmer-leaders!
Farm Bill priorities and pro-checkoff legislation were key focus areas during the visits. There are currently 260 members of Congress that have never worked on a Farm Bill. Consequently, Senator Stabenow’s leadership will play a crucial role as the Chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. This will be the Senator’s sixth Farm Bill, and while it sounds as if it will be difficult to obtain additional funding for this edition of the bill, legislators and their staffs seemed confident Congress will be able to strike a deal. The Farm Bill plays a vital role in securing the national food supply by providing farmers and ranchers with the necessary risk management tools and resources required to feed our nation. As the current bill expires on September 30, 2023, it is vital that we reach out to our legislators to educate them about the importance of renewing and strengthening this legislation.
The day after MSA's Hill Visits, a bi-partisan
Sen. Debbie Stabenow
Rep. John Moolenaar
Rep. Tim Walberg
Rep. Lisa McClain
pro-checkoff resolution was introduced by Representative Barry Moore (R-AL), along with two dozen original cosponsors. We encourage you to reach out to your congressional leaders to support commodity checkoff programs. While the introduction of the pro-checkoff resolution is encouraging, a highly problematic amendment was also introduced by Representative Victoria Spartz (R-IN) that would eliminate funding for USDA to administer national agriculture promotion programs. This amendment is alarming news and in direct contrast to the congressional resolution filed by Congressman Barry Moore. There are currently more than 20 commodity checkoffs from beef to dairy to pears, including soybeans that would be impacted. The soybean checkoff creates demand, funds research and fosters support for new soy uses and provides a $12.34 return on investment for every $1 spent. This is an opportune time to reach out to your legislators and to show your support for pro-checkoff policy.
Rep. Hillary Scholten's staff
The Pennsylvania Soybean Board hosted the summer meeting of the North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP) this year in State College, Pennsylvania. As the most recent state to join the program, now made up of 13 soybean-growing states in the north central U.S., they share many of the same soybean production challenges that are addressed by the combined funds and collaboration of the other north central states. The NCSRP board of directors and state soybean research staff received information from Penn State University researchers, a tour of the Pennsylvania Ag Progress Days and general warm hospitality.
Penn State researchers shared the status of their most important research areas including herbicide resistant weed control, biological seed treatment testing, cover crops and disease control. This open sharing of successes helps all of the participating states improve their knowledge and experience and identify potential ways to collaborate in the future.
Another important task of the summer meeting was to select research projects for funding in 2024. Derived from contributions by the thirteen member states, the total funding amount will be about $4 million. Even though this is an impressive amount to address collective concerns, research proposal requests totaled more than $7 million. Impressive teams of the 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 great impacts from the collaboration of great minds and allows for a greater research capacitymuch more than any state would accomplish alone.
The NCSRP is a very efficient and effective system of 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.
Penn State soybean research team presentation to NCSRP members
On average, soybean producers lose one to two bushels per acre during soybean harvest. Given the projected soybean market price for the 23/24 marketing year, this translates to $12.40 to $24.80 per acre of lost income. Adverse conditions such as short plants, lodged plants and shatter losses due to repeated wetting and drying cycles can cause significantly higher harvest losses. Because of this, the Michigan Soybean Committee is cooperating with Michigan State University Extension, Furness Farms, S3 AWS Airbar, Burnips Equipment Company, Crary Industries, TNT Equipment Inc., and Tri County Equipment to conduct the 12 th annual Soybean Harvest Equipment Field Day.
The field day will be held on Thursday, September 14 th from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in a field located at 7875 Kilgore Road, Yale, MI 48097. The field and designated parking area are located on the east side of the road.
Equipment company representatives will discuss specific recommendations for fine-tuning their combines and the following topics and equipment will be demonstrated or presented.
• Draper heads
• Auger heads
• Air-assisted reels
• Harvest loss measurements
• Harvest recommendations
• Common harvest errors
In addition to learning new information and watching the newest equipment run in the field, participants will receive educational materials related to measuring and minimizing soybean harvest losses and enjoy a complimentary lunch.
There is no charge for the field day. However, preregistration is requested by calling 269.673.0370 ext. 2562 before noon on Friday, September 8 th to ensure an accurate count for lunch and educational materials. Please call this same number and extension for cancellation and rescheduling information as this is not a rain or shine event.
My name is Avery Claybaugh and I am just finishing my second year interning with the Michigan Soybean Committee. I am currently a fourth-year student at Saginaw Valley State University pursuing a degree in Business Administration with a minor in Agricultural Studies.
During my time with the Michigan Soybean Committee, I learned so much about the soybean industry and developed an even greater passion for Michigan’s diverse agricultural sector. This summer, my primary focus was on communication and outreach. I worked alongside the communication director and outreach director on a variety of projects which allowed me to develop many skills that will help shape my professional career going forward.
During my internship, I had the incredible opportunity to promote the checkoff and Michigan soybeans to both consumer and farmer audiences. I traveled to Gladstone High School in the Upper Peninsula with other staff where we got to communicate with auto tech students about the benefits of biodiesel and share communication and outreach strategies with the publications class.
One of the major projects I undertook was assisting in the development of a booth theme and messaging for our summer events. By attending events like our sponsored baseball games, Breakfast on the Farm, and the Down on MI Farm community dinners, I was able to communicate to consumers the value of soy in our daily lives.
Although this summer was filled with many incredible opportunities and experiences, one in particular stands out. I was able to plan Michigan Soybean Committee’s first-ever Ag Intern Mixer. This event took place on July 11, and was a great networking opportunity which brought together interns from various companies and organizations to learn about one another’s internships and share experiences. Thirty five interns from 10 different colleges/universities attended the event. Attendees represented 20 different companies.
During this event, we hosted a round-robin activity where interns were divided into groups and assigned table numbers. There were conversation prompts at each table and participants were shuffled every five minutes. This activity allowed time for attendees to meet new people and ask questions about each other’s internships and studies. After a few rounds of introductions, we then served lunch where everyone could continue their conversations. The feedback we received from this event was extremely positive, with many interns suggesting we continue this event in future years. My main takeaway from the Ag Intern Mixer is that peer-to-peer networking helps to build a stronger community of career-focused individuals who together make up the future of agriculture.
As my summer comes to a close and the school year quickly approaches, I reflect on the opportunities I have been given by the Michigan Soybean Committee. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the board, staff and industry partners for welcoming me into this incredible organization. I am so thankful for the support, guidance and knowledge I have gained throughout the past two summers and look forward to putting it to use as I embark on the next chapter of my journey.
In July and August, the Michigan Soybean Committee hosted three Soybean Night at the Ballpark events. The events, held at the Great Lakes Loons in Midland, West Michigan Whitecaps in Comstock Park and Lansing Lugnuts in Lansing, were a big success and provided an opportunity to connect with consumers. MSC had tables on the concourse of each game which provided a place to engage with attendees, share soybean trivia and provide information about the many uses of soybeans. Through our partnerships, we were also able to do additional promotion of Michigan soybeans including a farmer throwing out the first pitch and recording a pre-game radio interview to talk more about Michigan soybeans!
The games also offered an opportunity to connect with farmers who attended - we had nearly 300 farmers and family attend the games! We loved getting the chance to catch up with some of our farmers and provide the opportunity for a fun night at the ballpark.
Stay tuned for more fun opportunities to Score BIG With SOY in the coming months!
Whether it’s improving soybean meal to outperform the competition or promoting the sustainability of U.S. soy, the soy checkoff has been working behind the scenes to help farmers satisfy their customers’ needs. We’re looking inside the bean, beyond the bushel and around the world to keep preference for U.S. soy strong. And for U.S. soybean farmers like you, the impact is invaluable.
See more ways the soy checkoff is maximizing profit opportunities for farmers at unitedsoybean.org
Students of Gladstone High School’s automotive shop have been studying how to incorporate biobased products into their everyday lives. They have been working hard for months to replace the ordinary oils and grease in the engine of a Chevy S10 truck with products made from soy. This renewable source of lubrication means that the truck is now cleaner for the environment.
This auto shop project evolved as part of a partnership between Gladstone Schools and the Michigan Soybean Committee and has been so impactful for the students at GHS. This hands-on project is not only giving them more experience in the automotive industry, but also showing them a way to make it cleaner and more efficient.
Two auto students, Brennan Detiege and Joey Martinson, who hold lead roles in the project have stated that they are learning that these biobased products are better for the earth, and the soybean industry is responsible for many more earth-friendly products than just fuel.
Mr. Cousineau, the GHS auto shop teacher, stresses to the students that the purpose of this project is to introduce to them alternate versions of lubricants, oils and tires rather than relying solely on petroleum products.
Students in the Gladstone publications class also had the opportunity to hear from the Michigan Soybean Committee communication and outreach team to learn more about their magazine production and media process. They, too, had a chance to share their thoughts on using biobased products and how important it is to share content about new, environmentally friendly products.
Senior Silas Breault said, “I think biobased products will be very prevalent in the future. Biofuels are fully renewable, so I think the use of biobased products will keep growing and it will be important for people to know their significance.”
“Across the state of Michigan there are nearly 2.2 million acres of soybean farms and around 5,000 in the U.P. alone. This will likely impact the number of soy-based products that we use every day. Learning more about them can help us understand specifically what we are using every day,” said Miranda Barteld, senior at GHS.
GHS would like to thank the Michigan Soybean Committee for all they have done in making this project possible and providing this experience for their students.
Dr. Eric Patterson, Michigan State University Assistant Professor, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences
The rise of intensive chemical weed control in row crops has led to a rise in herbicide resistant weed populations. Herbicide resistance is the worst in systems where one herbicide is used repeatedly (i.e. year after year), as the selection pressure does not change, allowing plants with resistance traits to spread their pollen and seed and outcompete their susceptible counterparts. In some cases, this means entire herbicide modes-of-action (MOA) become ineffective, reducing grower options for efficient weed control. This may ultimately result in the need to use more expensive chemicals, change agronomic practices to include more rotation, or incorporate other methods of weed control such as tillage and cover crops.
As herbicide resistance continues to become more prevalent and fewer chemicals remain effective, growers will have less chemical options to rely on, resulting in even more pressure for the remaining chemicals we have. Industry, seeing the looming threat of less product efficacy, has not been idle in trying to innovate new products that may counteract resistance evolution. In this article we will cover
some of these innovations which range from practical and currently available to far-fetched and futuristic.
Herbicide resistance has been studied since the invention of the first synthetic herbicide 2,4-D. 2,4-D is a synthetic auxin that mimics the natural plant hormone, Indole Acetic Acid (IAA), and effectively causes plants to ‘grow to death’. From its inception it was clear that some plants, especially broadleaf species, were susceptible while most grasses were far more tolerant. The mechanistic cause of this tolerance at the molecular level was not immediately known, but with the rise of new molecular biology techniques we now know exactly what makes certain plants susceptible or resistant/tolerant.
As researchers continue to understand these mechanisms in greater detail, they are also able to develop rapid diagnostics that can help diagnose emerging resistant populations early in their discovery. Early detection means it may be possible to eradicate populations before they become widespread.
For example, just imagine if a grower found the first glyphosate-resistant marestail individual and was able to kill it before it spread! Rapid molecular and physiological markers could help slow down resistance evolution and provide growers with important information about which herbicide regimes will be effective for their specific situation, saving them time and money.
A new major herbicide MOA has not been discovered in the last two or three decades, back when glyphosate began to dominate the herbicide market. We do have new chemicals for old MOAs, however these are often just riffs on the same theme that only change certain properties such as effective spectrum or application rates. In terms of resistance, these riffs don’t make a huge difference. If a plant is resistant to one Group 2 herbicide it is likely to be resistant to many. So, for now it seems we are "stuck" with the chemicals we have.
However, one thing companies can do is make old chemistries safe in new crops. By engineering resistance into crops, what are relatively niche herbicides can see much larger markets. This was the case for glyphosate. The molecule was discovered in the fifties but was relegated to bare ground applications because it would kill crops as well as weeds. It was applied along roadsides and railways for decades before RoundUp ready crops were invented, and as soon as they were, it became the most popular herbicide of all time!
Companies are working hard to recreate this magic with new traits such as Enlist, Xtend, Clearfield, etc. The release of Enlist Soybeans has expanded 2,4-D use from grass crops into broadleaf crops like soybean and cotton, greatly increasing 2,4-D use and expanding effective options for certain weed problems like Amaranth control.
We should see more and more traits come on the market, especially stacked traits like Enlist Duo and Roundup extend. These stacked traits give growers many options and the ability to tank mix several MOAs, which has been shown to be the most effective way at slowing down resistance evolution.
When RoundUp technology came to prominence, it was so dominant that it became unprofitable for industry to discover new herbicide MOAs. Many herbicide discovery companies were consolidated,
and chemical discovery pipelines that persisted were retooled for other purposes (medicine, fungicides, insecticides, etc.) In the past two decades we have seen hundreds of agriculture companies consolidate, with a rash of recent large mergers and buyouts like Dow-Dupont, Monsanto-Bayer, ChemChinaSyngenta, etc. These mergers were typically a merger of traditional chemical companies with traditional trait/seed companies so that companies could develop both the herbicide and the tolerant crop.
With the emergence of glyphosate and other resistances, companies are reinvesting in herbicide discovery and slowly but surely new chemistries are becoming available. It is unclear what new chemistries will emerge from these efforts, but it is clear that industry is investing in new discoveries and we may see our first new MOAs within the decade.
Herbicides are small molecules that are absorbed by plants and bind with plant proteins that are necessary for the plant to survive. By binding with these proteins, they inhibit their function and decrease the abundance of functional proteins, effectively stopping key pathways in the plants' metabolism and starving them of important compounds or causing a build-up of toxic precursor molecules.
In the early 2000s, academic scientists discovered a new way of decreasing protein abundance, a natural phenomenon known as RNA interference (RNAi). The specifics of how this works are complicated, but it is essentially a mechanism to regulate protein abundance so plants can better tailor their metabolism to their changing environment.
In 2012, Monsanto filed a patent for foliar applied RNAi and called it Biodirect. With this technology, you could apply small RNA molecules that, when absorbed in the cells, would trigger erroneous RNAi, essentially shutting down any protein pathway you wanted. This would have a similar effect to a herbicide but could be made for any protein target. If the target mutates, the applied RNA could be counter-augmented to match.
While this sounds like an excellent advancement there are still several technological hurdles. The largest of which is producing small RNA molecules in the volumes needed to spray a field at a
reasonable cost, and the second is facilitating RNA absorbance, as small RNAs are very water soluble and will not penetrate the cuticles and membranes without assistance.
If these hurdles are surmounted, this technology will certainly replace most traditional herbicides as it is ecologically safe, fully customizable, and is difficult for weeds to evolve resistance too. It should be noted that human-directed RNAi is being tested in humans for gene therapy and may be able to control many types of diseases such as cancer. The difference being small RNAs can be directly injected into an individual’s blood and tens of thousands of dollars can be spent on a single individual.
The final future tech that I will discuss is called ‘gene drive’. In these systems, deleterious genes are driven into a population of plants using ‘selfish genes’ as carriers, which causes their offspring to be non-viable. For instance, pollen containing these driver genes could be sprayed on a weedy population. This pollen would then fertilize the eggs of wild female flowers but all the seeds that would be produced would not germinate.
Another option would be attempting to convert all plants in a population to only male or only female flower production, which would effectively stop seed production.
Gene drives have been tested in other pest species, namely mosquitoes! It seems to be effective but it has some stipulations as well. It really only works if the species is mostly out-crossing. Self-pollinated species will fertilize themselves regardless of any exogenous pollen. It also works better in plants that have two-genders (known as diecious plants). Most plant species produce both male and female sexual organs, however two of the most important weed species do not: Amaranthus palmeri (Palmer amaranth) and Amaranthus tuberculatus (common waterhemp). A final risk for this future-tech is that it could drive a species to extinction. In the case of endemic or native weeds, this may have drastic unintended consequences.
Whether or not any of these technologies will eventually bare fruit only time will tell; however, it is clear that the rise of herbicide resistant weeds is driving research in new directions. In the shortterm, growers can expect new crop traits and some new herbicides, but as molecular and cellular biology continues to advance, weed science will certainly be changed in the coming decades.
The Michigan Soybean Committee has been a member of both the United States Meat Export Federation (USMEF) and USA Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) for a number of years. Supporting the export of US grown meat, poultry and egg products makes a lot of sense for soybean growers. Livestock are the number one consumer of soybean meal - more than 98 percent of all soybean meal is fed to animals. By investing in these organizations and their efforts, MSC is able to support US livestock production and build demand for US-grown meat, poultry and egg products, which in turn builds demand for US soybeans.
MSC recently named new farmer representatives for both organizations. These farmer-leaders have a wealth of industry knowledge and are able to offer perspective from both a soybean and a livestock point of view.
I am Mark Trowbridge, the Michigan Soybean Committee’s representative for the USA Poultry and Egg Council (USAPEEC). My wife Jamie and I own and operate a first-generation registered Angus cow-calf herd, selling beef direct to consumers and for breeding stock. We also have a custom hay harvesting business that serves the area surrounding our farm in St. Joseph County near the Indiana state line. Additionally, we have worked in the poultry industry for a combined eight years.
USAPEEC's mission is to promote exports of U.S. poultry and eggs worldwide and they use their international network of offices and consultants to stay current in the industry and find opportunities for growth.
Out of the many topics highlighted at USAPEEC’s 2023 annual meeting, it stood out to me how the export market for higher quality protein sources is increasing. Regions including Japan, the Middle East and Mexico are showing the most room for growth in the coming years. With one out of every six bushels of soybeans produced in the U.S. consumed by the poultry industry, growth in poultry means a brighter future for our Michigan soybean farmers.
Greetings from Southern Michigan. I am Brian Pridgeon, a 7th generation pig and crop farmer. I farm alongside my brother Paul and father, Bill. We farm 4200 acres, raising 900 acres of soybeans per year. The remainder of our acres grow corn to feed the 70,000 pigs we market annually to Indiana Pack in Delphi, Indiana.
In 2022, I began serving as the Michigan Soybean Committee’s representative for the United States Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
USMEF’s mission is to increase value and build demand in export markets for US beef, pork and lamb. Michigan Soybean Committee joined USMEF recognizing the export market is critical to our US livestock market. According to USMEF, pork exports accounted for 2.21 million bushels of Michigan soybean usage in 2022.
At the end of May, USMEF held a meeting in Minneapolis, MN. The general theme of the meeting was a cautious optimism for the US Livestock sector. Export markets for both beef and pork remained strong in 2023 with Mexico and South America showing strong demand for US red meats. However, there is concern about the contraction of both the US beef and swine herd, which may erode some demand for soybean meal. In general, I have been impressed by the work of USMEF at growing demand for US products. The organization demonstrates tangible economic value added to Michigan pork producers who purchase a great deal of soybean meal. Thank you for your investment in this organization.
the world relies on you for healthy food choices, rely
For fields that have soybean cyst nematodes in the soil, which is most of them, farmers have two weapons available to fight back — planting SCN-resistant soybeans and using management practices. Researchers continue to refine and improve soybean genetics as well as management strategies to reduce SCN numbers in the field.
Marisol Quintanilla, an assistant professor and nematologist at Michigan State University, has been looking at different ways to manage SCN for some time. She is currently exploring management strategies that will help drive SCN numbers down through a project supported by the Michigan Soybean Committee.
“We are looking at several options including using soybeans as a trap crop,” says Quintanilla. “In fields with high SCN infestation, we are testing several different susceptible soybean varieties — ones that we know nematodes reproduce in — and allowing the eggs to hatch. Then we terminate the soybeans before the nematodes can complete reproduction. We’re making the nematodes enter the plant and then we kill the plant to stop their development.”
She calls this a nematode suicide mission. Quintanilla terminates the soybeans between four and six weeks after planting, before the nematodes can develop cysts, thus reducing their numbers in the soil.
She suggests doing this on fields that are rotating to a non-soybean crop. After soybean termination, producers can plant crops that don’t host SCN, such as corn or wheat.
Farmers use cover crops all the time, she says, and they should think of this practice as similar to a cover crop, but with the objective of reducing nematode numbers.
Quintanilla’s post-doctoral researcher, Razieh Yazdani Fazlabadi, cautions those who do this to be aware of timing. “If a farmer uses soybean as a trap crop before the main crop, it is important to terminate it before six weeks. Beyond this time, the nematode could produce the cyst and the situation could become worse,” Yazdani comments. “Given that corn is typically planted in mid-May, trap crops should be sown at the end of March or beginning of April and terminated the first week of May prior to planting corn.”
There is an economic threshold for SCN, Yazdani says, which is four cysts per 100 CCs of soil.
If there are more than four, farmers should use management techniques such as crop rotation with non-hosts, rotating SCN-resistant cultivars and incorporating compost in their
Photos A and B: Greenhouse evaluation of SCN hosts as trap crops with different sources of resistance in the soybeans (susceptible, trap soybean [PI46754], PI88788 and Peking). Photo C: Nematode inoculation and termination of trap crops. Photos: Razieh Yazdani
These photos illustrate the effects of compost applications on SCN density: (A) egg hatching experiment in the laboratory; (B) measuring the effects of 10 different composts/manures on SCN population in the greenhouse; (C) selected compost and manures evaluated in microplots and (D) on the farm. Photos: Razieh Yazdani
fields to reduce SCN numbers.
This is why soil testing is so important. Quintanilla recommends The SCN Coalition as an excellent resource. Farmers need to know the SCN numbers in each field to employ the appropriate management practices beyond using the two sources of resistance — PI88788 and Peking soybean cultivars.
“This technique of planting a trap crop may make the most sense if nematode numbers are very high,” she says. “If farmers have stored seed or if soybean prices are good, they could use these for the trap crop to keep costs lower. We will be analyzing the economics after the trials are completed.”
Quintanilla is conducting another study that compares how much different compost and manure mixtures reduce SCN numbers in the soil. The initial study that inspired this work looked at different manures’ impact on root lesion nematode, which significantly reduced in number when using a poultry manure or a compost blend. Because of this success, they are now testing this approach for SCN reduction.
“We’ve done some initial field trials and they have shown some reduction of nematodes,” explains Quintanilla. “It’s been between 5% and 10% reduction, and in several parts of our trials, the manure worked better than nematicides. But there is a limit to the amount of manure that can be applied to a field.”
In the lab, the team tested more than 10 different composts and manure blends for SCN reduction. The best performers were poultry manure and a “layer ash blend,” a product from a Michigan composting company consisting of poultry litter, wood ash and a compost blend.
“The use of manures or compost is one more tool in the arsenal for controlling soybean cyst nematode,” Quintanilla says. “And compost has additional benefits such as providing nutrients, organic matter and microorganisms to the soil and helping to improve soil structure. Reducing nematodes is an extra benefit.”
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Whether shipping by river, road or rail, the soy checkoff is committed to ensuring America’s infrastructure is a significant advantage for U.S. soybean farmers. We’re looking inside the bean, beyond the bushel and around the world to keep preference for U.S. soy strong. And it’s helping make a valuable impact for soybean farmers like you.
See more ways the soy checkoff is maximizing profit opportunities for soybean farmers at unitedsoybean.org
During the last week of June, the Michigan Soybean Committee partnered with Lake and Clinton County Road Commissions to apply BIORESTOR to two one-mile sections. BIORESTOR is a restorative asphalt modifier that has been shown to increase pavement life cycles by up to 40 percent. BIORESTOR does not just top the asphalt, it penetrates to restore the pavement from within. It decreases the brittleness of asphalt pavement to improve the flexibility of the pavement, thus decreasing cracking. In both of our 2023 applications, test sections were created for coring samples in the coming years. These test sections will help us to see how BIORESTOR works in Michigan’s environment and help demonstrate the return on investment of biobased products.
Lake County Road Commission (LCRC) applied the asphalt rejuvenator on 40th Street from South Deer Lake Road to South Lakola Road. This mile of road was paved at the same time as the next road to the north, giving us a large control section to compare in the future. LCRC manager, Leroy Williams Jr. mentioned, “We are always looking for new ideas for our roads, especially when we can try to stay away from petroleum-based products. We were very happy to be chosen for the Michigan Soybean Committee’s program and we are looking forward to trying biobased products on other roads in the future. Not only on our blacktops, but we are also interested in new soybean products for dust control on our gravel roads as well.”
Clinton County Road Commission (CCRC) applied BIORESTOR in Saint Johns on one mile of Dewitt Road from M-21 south. This mile is located right in front of AgroLiquid, home of the Michigan Soybean office. Doug Steffen, CCRC’s Managing Director stated, “The Clinton County Road Commission partnered with the Michigan Soybean Committee to apply BIORESTOR to a newly constructed asphalt road. We are eager to see the benefits that this treatment has to offer. Our vision is to try new, innovative technologies to protect our investments and create longer lasting surface treatments for our roadways. Clinton County is a large soybean producer. If these products give us lasting results while benefiting the farming community then everyone wins in our county.”
In conjunction with the Clinton County BIORESTOR application, MSC hosted a ‘Lunch and Learn’ for county road commissions, municipalities and state organizations. This event gave people a chance to see BIORESTOR being applied and hear about how asphalt rejuvenators can benefit Michigan roadways. Additionally, attendees were able to learn about other soy-based road solutions including dust suppressant, striping paint and new asphalt research projects.
Many soybean fields across the state experienced uneven and significantly delayed emergence due to the dry weather and soil conditions that prevailed after mid-May (pictured above). Seed placed into 0.5 inches of soil moisture germinated and emerged well, while seed placed into marginally moist or dry soil did not germinate and emerge until the rains resumed in July. In the most extreme cases, emergence was delayed by five weeks or more within a given field.
The delayed and uneven emergence will lead to significant in-field variation in maturity this fall, and producers will have to identify the harvest timing that maximizes net income in these fields. In general, soybean maturity is delayed by one day for every three days that planting/emergence is delayed. Given this information, a 30-day difference in emergence will cause at least a 10-day spread for optimum harvest dates. While 10 days may not sound like a big deal, producers need to understand how factors such as shatter losses, lost yield from overly dry seed, drying charges and discounts, and potential storage problems will affect net income when selecting the optimum harvest timing.
Uneven ripening is common in soybean fields, however the situation in 2023 is different. In most years, the areas that dry down first have lower yield potential than the rest of the field. In 2023, the areas
that will dry down first have more yield potential because they emerged earlier and had a longer growing season.
Producers have four options for harvesting unevenly maturing fields:
• Harvest each affected field at two different dates.
• Harvest the entire field as soon as the early emerging plants are ready.
• Delay harvest until the late emerging plants are ready to harvest.
• Compromise and harvest the field when the late emerging plants first reach 16 percent moisture.
Harvesting affected fields on two different dates corresponding to the optimum times for the early and late emerging plants will minimize all the potential problems stated above. However, this is not practical, and few producers will consider this option.
Harvesting the entire field as soon as the earlier emerging plants are ready will reduce shatter losses and harvest delays and provide optimal harvest conditions for the plants having the highest yield potential. However, the later emerging plants may be difficult to cut and thresh and may lead to higher drying charges or discounts at delivery. Unthreshed green pods and green/immature soybeans can also
create on-farm drying and storage problems. Combine operators will need to pay close attention to cylinder/rotor speed and clearance settings as they move from ripe to tough plants.
Delaying harvest until the seed in the later emerging plants reaches 13 percent moisture eliminates the problems associated with the early harvest option. However, if hot and dry conditions occur prior to and during harvest, shatter losses can be excessive in the early emerging plants. The risk of harvesting overly dry beans also increases, reducing the yield of the highest yielding areas of the field due to lost water weight (Table 1). We experienced both conditions in the fall of 2021. This option also increases the risk of harvest delays and increased shattering due to the pods being exposed to repeated wetting and drying cycles. University of Wisconsin researchers found that harvest losses increase significantly when harvest is delayed by 14 days and continue to increase with further delays. Reducing ground speed and reel speed are important tactics for reducing shatter losses. Delaying harvest is probably a good option if the weather cooperates, and shatter losses and seed moisture losses can be
minimized.
Compromising by harvesting the affected fields a little later than the optimum time for the early emerging plants and a little earlier than the optimum time for the later emerging plants is a viable option. In theory, this option should narrow the differences between the plants from the two emergence dates. If this option is selected, begin harvesting when the seed in the later emerging plants first reaches 16 percent moisture.
If you plan to dry and store soybeans with mixed moisture levels, please consider the following information provided by Dr. Ken Hellevang from North Dakota State University.
• Unthreshed pods can block the flow in dryers and increase the potential for fires to occur.
• Immature soybeans can cause moisture meters to underestimate moisture levels by 1 to 1.5 percent.
• The green color may fade after several months of storage.
• Bean pods and higher moisture beans accumulate in pockets and cause storage problems.
• Run aeration fans to create a more uniform moisture content as the air picks up moisture from the wet beans and deposits it on the drier beans.
• Soybeans of mixed maturity and varying moisture content should not be stored into the summer and should be kept cool by periodic aeration.
Harvesting fields with variable maturity will be challenging this fall. However, producers can minimize harvest and storage losses through careful management.
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 almost 245,000 students across the state of Michigan. During the 2022-2023 school year, 350 school kits were sent to schools across the state, ranging from lower Michigan all the way to the Upper Peninsula!
To view lesson materials and order a kit for the 2023-2024 school year, please scan the QR code or visit us at:
michigansoybean.org/school-kit.
Teachers receive comprehensive slides along with all materials needed for each lesson.
Each student receives a Soybean Workbook with supplemental materials for each lesson.
As part of an ongoing partnership with MSU Athletics, the Michigan Soybean Committee will be sponsoring the Michigan State University football game on November 4, 2023 vs. Nebraska. MSC will have an interactive exhibit in the FanFest tailgate area outside of Spartan Stadium and will be sharing lots of great soybean and agriculture information with tailgaters before the game.
Part of MSC's new strategic plan includes a larger emphasis on consumer engagement and connecting with consumers over shared values such as food and sustainability. Partnerships like this one allow MSC to connect with consumers and provide resources and information on the many ways soy impacts people's day-to-day lives. From soy tires and shoes to soy sauce and even bacon, soybeans truly touch every life every day!
You could win tickets to join us at the game! One lucky Michigan soybean farmer who completes our Contact Information Update Form will win four tickets to the game in East Lansing! If you are interested in entering to win the tickets, simply scan the QR code above or visit michigansoybean.org/score-big-with-soy and update your contact information through the form linked on the web page. The winner of the drawing must be an active Michigan soybean farmer. The winner will be notified by late October. Submissions to enter must be completed by October 10, 2023.
Even if you are not the lucky winner of the tickets, we'd love to see you at the game! If you have tickets to the game, be sure to find us in the FanFest tailgate area!
In the United States, nearly 90 percent of the seafood we eat is imported. As people’s awareness of the origin of their food increases, the domestic aquaculture industry is poised for growth. The Soy Aquaculture Alliance (SAA) works to create new opportunities for soybean farmers by funding programs in aquaculture to feed a growing population. Michigan Soybean Committee is a member of SAA, and a Michigan farmer sits on their governing board.
Alan Moore, the Michigan Soybean Committee representative on SAA shares, “The Soy Aquaculture Alliance helps Michigan Soybean Committee amplify our impact in the aquaculture industry by funding research on soy feed efficiency in aqua diets, looking at fish genetics in comparison to protein ingredients and investing in the growth of the aquaculture industry. As the population demands more high-quality protein, the soybean industry has an opportunity to participate by increasing our inclusion in fish diets.”
In July, Alan attended an SAA meeting in Maine and was able to participate in the 39th annual Fish Feed and Nutrition Workshop. In addition to participating in feed formulation meetings, Alan was able to tour the USDA National Coldwater Marine Aquaculture Center and the University of Maine Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research.
The Annual Soybean Research Forum & Think Tank began in 2021. The goal was to bring individuals from across the soybean research space to think strategically about what the future of soybean production looks like and discuss strategies to stimulate research that will move the industry forward. In its third year, the event of brought together a diverse group of individuals to collaboratively work towards discussing and prioritizing needs, information and opportunities for future research.
In 2023 the theme was 'Transparency and Traceability: Opportunities for Soy’. Speakers helped attendees examine this from various angles including sustainability, technology and data. The group worked to explore trends, challenges, opportunities, research needs and potential strategies for moving forward in the traceability/transparency space.
The Annual Soybean Research Forum & Think Tank is hosted by the US Soybean Research Collaborative (USSRC). The US Soybean Research Collaborative is checkoff-sponsored partnership with the purpose of bringing more collaboration to soybean research. Its unique model of open collaboration helps extend current checkoff research investments for more impactful outcomes. USSRC exists to advance coordination, collaboration and communication among organizations focused on soybean research and to foster a broad value chain view to help bridge the gap between soybean supply and demand.
The topics discussed were very wide ranging and created innovative interactions among the participants including:
• Traceability and transparency are changing many aspects of the industry from the farm to the end products. American soybean growers use many sustainable practices which consumers may appreciate if they were aware of them.
• Climate smart practices and soil health improvement are popular among many consumer segments as they desire more information about who produces their food and how they may share concerns for the natural resources used in food production.
• The efficiencies gained with adoption of precision agriculture tools help to make soybean growers more sustainable. Examples of variable rate fertilizer and pesticide applications may help consumers who have other assumptions of production practices.
• The specialty soybean industry offers examples of responses to specific needs through advanced soybean genetics such as non GMO, food grade, high oleic and aquaculture feed. This includes many genetic improvement tools such as gene editing, GMO and conventional soybean breeding.
• Collaboration among industry leaders to address consumers demand for transparency of their food include companies such as Perdue Agribusiness, FritoLay, Pepsico, etc. Future partners will likely include companies that aren’t traditional and will require innovation and compromise.
Michigan was well represented as by soybean experts who were focused on representing Michigan’s interests. The group included MSC Director Scott Wilson, Jan Motz from DF Seeds, and Ben Steyer, Hanna Campbell and Mark Seamon from the Michigan Soybean Committee staff.
On July 26th the Michigan Advances Biofuels Coalition (MiABC) hosted a cruise on the Detroit River to highlight the use of biodiesel in marine vessels. Attendees including state legislators, city officials, media and other key stakeholders learned about new initiatives to improve air quality and ways to support more sustainable shipping on Detroit area waterways by utilizing advanced biofuels like biodiesel. The tour was sponsored by Warner Petroleum Company in partnership with Michigan Advanced Biofuels Coalition (MiABC), Michigan Clean Cities (MCC) and Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision (SDEV).
The key takeaway from the tour: Biodiesel is a currently available solution to improve air quality and support more sustainable shipping in Detroit area waterways and communities. But incentives are needed to support infrastructure for biodiesel production and distribution.
Pete Probst of Indigenous Energy used the analogy of “eating an elephant one bite at a time” as a strategy to meet Michigan’s long-term emission reduction goals when he spoke to attendees during his on the cruise. “Biodiesel is an immediate solution that we can implement locally to take a bite out of the problem. Biodiesel burns cleaner and reduces greenhouse gas emissions making it a win-win,” he said, while encouraging Michigan communities to invest in renewable energy sources such as biodiesel.
At the marine biodiesel tour, Michigan District 83 State Representative John Fitzgerald called attention to a recently introduced bill in the Michigan House of Representatives. If passed, the bill will provide financial incentives to produce and sell biodiesel in Michigan.
Fitzgerald spoke in support of biodiesel as a tool to “bridge the gap” to reach zero emissions by 2050. “Biodiesel will make a difference,” he said. Producing and using more biodiesel can both improve the economy and reduce our carbon footprint in Michigan.”
Warner Petroleum, the event sponsor and an MiABC stakeholder, is on the leading edge of decarbonization by offering biodiesel at terminals in Detroit and Dearborn operated by their sister-company, Waterfront Petroleum Terminal Company. “Many of our marine fuel customers are striving for more sustainable operations by using biodiesel blends. Biodiesel is a drop-in replacement for fossil fuels and is the best choice to reduce carbon emissions from heavy duty vessels shipping on the Great Lakes and beyond,” said Smith.
All of these initiatives are expected to significantly impact the current and future health of Detroit residents and the surrounding community. The recent State of the Air report from the American Lung Association ranked the Detroit/Warren/Ann Arbor metropolitan area as the nation’s twelfth most polluted based on particulate matter content in the air.
For more information about biodiesel and MiABC, visit miadvancedbiofuels.com.
FOR WE LIVE BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT.
II CORINTHIANS 5 : 7