Celebrating 25 years of maximizing farmer profitability.
TERRY MCCLURE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OHIO SOYBEAN COUNCIL
This year, the Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) celebrated its 25th anniversary. In 1991, the Soybean Promotion and Research Program was passed as a provision of the Farm Bill, creating the national soybean checkoff. Here in Ohio, OSC was formed to manage the state’s portion of checkoff dollars and works to increase the profitability of Ohio soybean farmers. This year also marked the 50th anniversary of our sister organization, the Ohio Soybean Association (OSA), which works on the legislative priorities of its members.
To put these anniversaries in perspective, think about how much our industry has changed in the last 25 and 50 years:
• In 1965, 2 million Ohio acres were planted with soybeans. In 2015, Ohio farmers planted 4.9 million acres of soybeans.
• In 1965, the average production of soybeans was less than 25 bushels per acre. In 2015, it was 50 bushels per acre.
• In 1969, Ohioan Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon. A few months ago, Ohio farmers were riding in satellite-linked combines and uploading yield data to a cloud.
Since their founding, these farmer-led organizations have helped support the industry through huge technological advances, ups and downs in the farm economy and a changing global market.
The original farmer-leaders had the foresight to set a strong foundation. They didn’t know soybeans would become a leading feedstock for industrial products or that biodiesel would become America’s first advanced biofuel. They didn’t know about high-oleic soybeans or how big the Chinese market would become. They didn’t know what would happen, but they believed it was possible.
It has been my pleasure to lead this board through this past year as we continue to make advances and deliver on our commitment to producing a safe, healthy food supply while ensuring the long-term profitability of the Ohio soybean industry.
Terry McClure
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2016
ASSESSMENT RECEIPTS FROM FIRST PURCHASERS
$12,655,946 LESS
ASSESSMENT RECEIPTS REMITTED TO THE UNITED SOYBEAN BOARD
$5,560,045
ASSESSMENT RECEIPTS REMITTED TO OTHER STATES
$1,198,369
NET ASSESSMENT RECEIPTS
$5,897,532 INVESTMENT INCOME $19,693 GRANTS $109,696
TOTAL ADDITIONS TO FUND BALANCE $6,026,921
ADMINISTRATIVE DISBURSEMENTS $848,288 TOTAL DEDUCTIONS FROM FUND BALANCE $6,126,598 NET DECREASE IN CASH INVESTMENTS $(99,677) BEGINNING CASH INVESTMENTS $9,938,212 ENDING CASH INVESTMENTS $9,838,535
RESEARCH $2,139,471
TOTAL PROGRAM DISBURSEMENTS $5,278,310 DEMAND $1,208,919 COMMUNICATION/EDUCATION $1,929,920
OSC has invested in an on-farm critical infrastructure program over the last year to determine the efficacy of farmers accessing natural gas. OSC has since made available an Excel worksheet where farmers can calculate costs, annual savings and the estimated pay-off period in years if they make the switch to natural gas.
OSC IS BUSILY VISITING ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD,
OPENING DOORS FOR MORE SOYBEAN DEMAND.
TO HELP DRIVE DEMAND FOR SOYBEANS, OSC CONTINUES TO PARTNER WITH THE USA POULTRY AND EGG EXPORT COUNCIL TO PROMOTE TURKEY EXPORTS TO CENTRAL AMERICA AND CHICKEN EXPORTS TO MEXICO.
OSC PARTNERED WITH THE OHIO PORK COUNCIL TO COMPLETE A PROCESSOR STUDY THAT FOUND OHIO TO BE A SUITABLE PLACE FOR MORE PROCESSING.
INCREASED PROCESSING WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE THE DEMAND FOR PORK IN OHIO, FURTHER DRIVING DEMAND FOR SOYBEANS.
TO FURTHER INCREASE BIODIESEL USE, OSC HAS INVESTED IN BIODIESEL PROJECTS FOCUSED ON CONNECTING WITH RETAILERS TO REACH FARMERS AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO PURCHASE BIODIESEL. OSC REACHED OUT TO SEVERAL RETAILERS AND COMMUNICATED WITH HUNDREDS OF FARMERS ENCOURAGING THEM TO PURCHASE BIODIESEL.
HONG KONG, CHINA
SRI LANKA JAPAN INDIA
As of today, OSC has received over $900,000 in royalties from products they have developed with their research partners. The royalties collected are reinvested in scholarships and education programs in the STEM areas: science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
OSC INVESTED IN RESEARCH TO DEVELOP
SOY-P K
A PATENT-PENDING RESIN TECHNOLOGY TO REPLACE PETROLEUM BASED BISPHENOL A CURRENTLY USED IN FOOD AND BEVERAGE CANS.
TWO R&D 100 AWARDS
IN RECOGNITION OF TOP INNOVATIONS THAT HELP MAKE OUR ENVIRONMENT GREENER AND OUR GOAL TOWARD ENERGY REDUCTION CLOSER.
2015 EUROPEAN COATINGS INNOVATION EVENT TOP 10 INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES OF THE YEAR.
2016 BIO-BASED INNOVATION AWARDS SECOND PLACE, BIO-BASED CHEMICAL INNOVATION OF THE YEAR.
UNIVERSITY RESEARCH
With funding from OSC, the soybean team at The Ohio State University continues to make strides in plant, soil and water research to help Ohio soybean farmers back on the farm.
SOIL FERTILITY
DR.
Soybean researchers at OSU are in the process of refining Ohio’s fertilizer recommendations for soybeans. The goal is to determine optimal economic phosphorus and potassium fertilization rates for soybeans. Dr. Steve Culman and others are also trying to identify the impact soil fertility levels have on populations of, and corresponding yield reductions caused by, soybean cyst nematode, soilborne pathogens and insect pests.
MARK LOUX
STEVE CULMAN WEED MANAGEMENT DR.
IN COOPERATION WITH OTHERS, DR. LOUX HELPED PRODUCE THE WEED CONTROL GUIDE FOR OHIO, INDIANA AND ILLINOIS.
He is also continuing his work on a project to: 1. Identify new species of glyphosate resistant weeds. 2. Conduct research to develop management strategies for proper weed control.
WATER QUALITY DR. ELIZABETH DAYTON
Dr. Libby Dayton is working to revise the Ohio Phosphorus Index . An important aspect of that work is to re-evaluate the way various methods of fertilizer and manure placement are scored. Ultimately, Dr. Dayton’s work will contribute to the ongoing efforts of On-Field Ohio to revise the Ohio P Index, as well as to develop best practices as they relate to water quality for Ohio corn and soybean growers.
BIO-YIELD BENEFICIAL MICROBIAL INOCULANT SYSTEM WINS R&D 100 GREEN TECH MERIT AWARD.
Improved biologic products for agriculture address one of the most critical issues we face: how to increase food production by 100% over the next 30 years with less available farmland and with less negative impact on the environment. Biologics in agriculture can be used to decrease our dependence on synthetic chemicals and improve quality and yields of crop plants. But these living products cannot work well if they are not viable and living at the point of use.
THE BIO-YIELD MICROBIAL INOCULANT SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED ON-FARM to deliver the freshest and most viable biologic product in the world. This novel approach opens the potential for commercialization of numerous beneficial microbes proven in research but never before commercially available in a viable state.
COMMUNICATION AND EDUCATION
OSC supports many programs to help tell the story of Ohio soybean farmers to those who are unfamiliar with agriculture, as well as to influence and educate the next generation.
THIS YEAR, OSC INVESTED IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE
SOYBEAN REWARDS SITE
designed to keep farmers up to date on the latest information and data from OSU researchers. Ads were also developed informing farmers of the latest information in research and were placed in the Ohio Soybean News magazine. soybeanrewards.org.
WATER QUALITY CONTINUES TO BE A PRIORITY
The goal of this initiative is to change the conversation about grain farmers’ role in water quality and to ensure people understand the commitments and investments grain farmers have made to positively impact the issue.
TO COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY WITH CONSUMERS, OSC WAS PRESENT AT THE OHIO STATE FAIR, MEETING THOUSANDS OF VISITORS OVER THE COURSE OF THE 12-DAY FAIR. SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, WAS SOYBEAN DAY AND OHIO SOYBEAN FARMERS LOCATED AT THE ENTRANCE GREETED MANY OF THE 105,000 VISITORS ENTERING THE FAIR.
EDUCATION CONTINUES TO BE A PRIORITY FOR OSC, AND INVESTING IN GROW NEXT GEN HAS CERTAINLY PAID OFF.
THE TEACHER NETWORK GREW BY 31 PERCENT. THEY COMPLETED 36 EVENTS REACHING OVER 665,000 STUDENTS.
OSC SUPPORTED THE NIGHT FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS AT BOTH WILMINGTON COLLEGE AND THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY REACHING OVER 200 STUDENTS. REACHED OVER 10,000 USERS THROUGH GROWNEXTGEN.ORG
Ohio Soybean Council
Foundation
OHIO SOYBEAN COUNCIL FOUNDATION
The foundation supports agricultural education and scientific research with an eye toward career opportunities in the soybean industry.
THE FOUNDATION CO-SPONSORED THE AG BIOTECH ACADEMY, DESIGNED TO HELP TEACHERS UNDERSTAND BIOTECHNOLOGY. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT OVER 14,000 STUDENTS WILL BE IMPACTED BY THEIR TEACHERS’ PARTICIPATION IN THE ACADEMY.
OSCF AWARDED A TOTAL OF $36,500 IN SCHOLARSHIPS INCLUDING SCHOLARSHIPS FOR GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS FOR THE 2016-2017 SCHOOL YEAR.
OSCF AWARDED OVER $5,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO THE INVENTION CONVENTION, A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO HELP K-8 STUDENTS FOSTER CURIOSITY AND ENGAGE IN THE INVENTION PROCESS.
OSCF awarded $5,500 IN SCHOLARSHIPS to students participating in the state and district science fairs.
OHIO SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION
This year, the Ohio Soybean Association (OSA) is celebrating its 50th anniversary of providing leadership for Ohio’s soybean producers in promoting effective policies and legislation to ensure a growing and profitable soybean industry.
OSA HELD MEETINGS WITH NUMEROUS STATE AND NATIONAL LEGISLATORS AND VISITED
WASHINGTON, D.C.
FOUR TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR, LOBBYING ON BEHALF OF FARMERS.
WORKED TOGETHER WITH OTHER AGRICULTURE GROUPS TO PREVENT TAX HIKES ASSOCIATED WITH CURRENT AGRICULTURAL USE VALUE.
ACTIVELY LOBBIED AND SUPPORTED THE RENEWABLE FUEL STANDARD AND TAX CREDIT.
LOBBIED IN SUPPORT OF THE TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP TO KEEP TRADE OPPORTUNITIES OPEN FOR OHIO SOYBEANS. PUSHED FOR THE PASSAGE OF THE WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT, WHICH WILL FUND NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES VITAL TO AMERICAN LOCKS AND DAMS.
Worked diligently to decrease trade barriers with Cuba to increase soybean exports.
To learn more about the Ohio Soybean Council and its programs to support Ohio soybean farmers, please visit our website: SOYOHIO.ORG.
The Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) was founded in 1991 to manage the Soybean Promotion and Research Program, more commonly known as the soybean checkoff. OSC is governed by a volunteer farmer board, which directs the investments of the checkoff. The program’s primary goal is to improve soybean profitability by targeting research and development, education and promotion projects.
