Ohio Soybean News May-June 2019

Meet Corteva Young Leader Adam Vance pgs. 12-13

OSCF Announces Scholarship Winners pg. 22

TM

MAY/JUNE 2019

A PUBLICATION OF THE OHIO SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION

Developing Better

SOY WAX

for a Cause Pages 20-21

OHIO SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION, 918 Proprietors Rd., Suite A, Worthington, OH 43085

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unitedsoybean.org

RESEARCHING A BETTER BEAN

Whether you’re dealing with drought, ood, heat or other climate-related stress, the soy checkoff is working behind the scenes to diversify U.S. soybean genetics and increase stress tolerance.

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

Brought to you by the soy checkoff. ©2018 United Soybean Board. Our Soy Checkoff and the Our Soy Checkoff mark are trademarks of United Soybean Board. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

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A PUBLICATION OF THE OHIO SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION

May-June 2019 Vol. 9, No. 3

6

Ohio Farmer Leaders Head to Washington, D.C.

8

LEBOR and Water Quality

10

Legislation and Programs to Watch

12

Hillsboro Farmer Completes ASA Young Leader Program

14

Ohio Soybean Checkoff Wins Awards

15

Precision Ag Reviews Hits the Road to Help Farmers

16

Planting Outlook 2019

18

More Than China: Asian Markets Continue to Grow for U.S. Soy

20

Better Soy Wax for Good Cause

22

OSCF 2019–2020 Scholarship Recipients

23

Water Quality Matters

COVER STORY: While Ohio soybean farmers are hard at work planting in the fields, the Ohio Soybean Association and Council are hard at work planting elsewhere.

On Capitol Hill, in science labs and even across the Pacific Ocean, both organizations are making sure Ohio soybeans have the smoothest path through the value chain.

The Tradition Continues …

Tune in to listen to Dale Minyo, Ohio’s most recognized farm broadcaster. www.ohioagnet.com

See Page 20

May-June 2019

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Ohio Soybean News —3

Perspective Scott Metzger

Ohio Soybean Association President Ross County soybean farmer

A Letter From the President

T

he 2019 season is well underway and soon we’ll all be scouting for signs of disease, pests or other stressors. It’s

important to be aware of what’s being seen in

your area of the state and to work with your local extension agent. To stay up-to-date, I recommend visiting the Agronomic Crops Network website (agcrops.osu.edu/home) and/or signing up for their newsletter. I also recommend checking out Field Leader (www.ohiofieldleader.com) to see the latest soybean research, conservation, and specialty market news from the Ohio Soybean Council.

As we move further into summer, we move closer to algae season up at Lake Erie. For the Ohio Soybean Association (OSA) board of farmer leaders, this is one of our biggest priorities. State water quality policy directly affects you and the future of your farm operation. We have been and will continue to fight for you in Columbus and make sure that our legislative leaders understand that sound, science-based solutions that keep family farms viable in this state are essential.

Several farmer leaders from Ohio recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to speak to our federal representatives as well. Trade was the priority topic and I

President Scott Metzger, Ross County First Vice President Ryan Rhoades, Marion County Vice President Patrick Knouff, Shelby County Treasurer Jennifer Wilson-Oechsle, Van Wert County Secretary Jeff McKanna Chairman Allen Armstrong, Clark County Trustees Jerry Bambauer, Auglaize County Trish Cunningham, Knox County Bret Davis, Delaware County Rusty Goebel, Williams County Caitlyn Heimerl, Industry Affiliate Ex-Officio Jeff Magyar, Ashtabula County Derek Reusser, Holmes County Jeff Roehm, Highland County Luke Ryan, Lucas County Andy Stickel, Wood County Kerrick Wilson, Preble County American Soybean Association Board Representatives Jerry Bambauer Bret Davis Scott Metzger Staff Credits Kirk Merritt - Publisher Jennifer Coleman - Editor Julia Brown - Contributing Editor/Staff Writer Jen Del Carmen - Contributing Writer Kayla Weaver - Contributing Writer Brent Warren - Art Director Barry Falkner - Photo Quality/Proofer Tony Green - Advertising Production

encourage all members to watch for the OSA Leader Letter email alerts when we need you to pick up the phone or send an email to make your voice heard.

Thanks to our advertisers, OSA is able to bring the Ohio Soybean News magazine to all soybean farmers in Ohio at no cost. However, we still need your individual membership to support our lobbying efforts and bring you other great OSA membership benefits. If you’re unsure if your membership is current, please contact Emilie Regula Hancock, policy and membership coordinator for OSA, by email at eregula.hancock@soyohio.org. Every member makes a difference.

Ohio Soybean news is published six times a year by the Ohio Soybean Association, 918 Proprietors Rd., Suite A, Worthington, OH 43085. Phone: 614-476-3100. For address corrections contact Ohio Soybean News at 918 Proprietors Rd., Suite A, Worthington, OH 43085.

Web address: www.soyohio.org E-mail: cdeboard@soyohio.org Comments and statewide news articles should be sent to the above address. Advertising space reservation must be made by the first of the month preceding publication. In consideration of the acceptance of advertisement, the agency and the advertiser must, in respect of the contents of the advertisement, indemnify and save the publisher harmless against any expense arising from claims or actions against the publisher because of the publication of the content of the advertisement.

For Advertising Sales Contact:

Scott Metzger

Matt Herman - (612) 812-5833 matt.herman@dtn.com

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BRINGING SOYBEANS TO THE STATEHOUSE

May-June 2019

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Building Membership and Grassroots Advocacy

Ohio Farmer Leaders Head to Washington, D.C.

I

n March, Ohio Soybean Association (OSA) board members traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for issues crucial to the soybean industry. The visit coincided with the American Soybean Association’s (ASA) board meeting. OSA board members who traveled to D.C. included Scott Metzger, OSA president and Ross County farmer; Ryan Rhoades, OSA First Vice President and farmer from Marion County; Bret Davis, ASA secretary and farmer from Delaware County; Jerry Bambauer of Auglaize County; and Andy Stickel of Wood County.

“It’s really important to have that face time with our representatives,” said OSA First Vice President Ryan Rhoades. “Sitting across from someone, shaking their hand — those kinds of things leave a lasting, positive impression that makes legislators remember soybean farmers when it comes time to write and pass bills.”

Many members of Congress were on recess, and therefore not in town, but OSA farmer leaders still took advantage of their time in the capital, speaking to legislative staff about three key issues impacting

soybean farmers currently: trade, biodiesel and water quality. The board members visited the offices of Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (R-16th), Rep. Michael Turner (R-10th), Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-7th), Rep. Bill Johnson (R-6th), Rep. Tim Ryan (D-13th), Rep. Warren Davidson (R-8th), Rep. Steve Stivers (R-15th), Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-2nd), Rep. Robert Latta (R-5th), Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-3rd), and Rep. David Joyce (R-14th).

The following points can also serve as talking points if you decide to contact your representatives. You can find your congressional representative at www.house.gov.

TRADE:

Push for completions of the USMCA, removal of the China 301 tariffs and for progress on new Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) including Japan, the EU and the UK.  Encouraging the Trump Administration to seek an outcome that removes tariffs and allows for more soybeans to be sold to China. Swift passage of the USMCA by Congress once it begins consideration in 2019.  USMCA will return market certainty to these export markets for soybean growers.

USMCA will also give farmers access to a robust and vital marketplace while providing countless jobs and boosting national and rural economies.  Support for the Administration’s announcements to negotiate new FTAs with Japan, the European Union and the United Kingdom. Reducing tariffs and increasing market access are key objectives for ASA in a Free Trade Agreement with Japan. Japan is the fifth-largest market for U.S. soybean exports, with shipments valued at $976 million in 2017.

First row: Emilie Regula Hancock; Second row (left-right): Ryan Rhoades, Kirk Merritt, Scott Metzger, Bret Davis; Third row: Andy Stickel, Jerry Bambauer

BIODIESEL:

Long-term extension of biodiesel tax credit and favorable implementation of RFS  Under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, the biodiesel tax credit was extended for one year, retroactively for 2017, but not for 2018 and beyond. Extension of the tax incentive is important to the industry’s continued growth.  Biodiesel production benefits soybean farmers and the livestock industry.

Approximately half of U.S. biodiesel is produced from soybean oil that is a byproduct of soybean production, which is driven by demand for protein meal.  Biomass-based diesel is the most commercially-available advanced biofuel, and it provides significant economic, energy security, environmental and health benefits.  The EPA’s 2018 RFS volume requirements set biomass-based diesel at 2.43 billion gallons for 2020 and total Advanced Biofuels at 4.92 billion for 2019. This represents modest growth from previous year requirements.  Biodiesel provides multiple energy, economic, and environmental benefits by increasing volumes of a domesticallyproduced, renewable energy source and has expanded markets for farmers and livestock producers and created new jobs and economic growth, particularly in rural America.

WATER QUALITY:

Support for maintaining or increasing the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GRLI)  Ohioans rely on Lake Erie for jobs, clean drinking water, and a place to enjoy with their families.  Great Lakes Restoration Initiative projects nets $3.35 in additional economic activity through 2036.

For more information about OSA or ASA’s policy priorities, please visit: https://www.soyohio.org/association/ legislation-and-policy/

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AU UR RA A L LII N D S E Y | R E S E A EEUU NN I VI V EE RR SS I TI Y, OO LU MM BU LLA AR RC CH HEER R || AG AGRRO ONNO OM MI ISSTT | | TTHHEE OOHHI O I OSSTAT TAT T Y,C C LU BS U,SO , H OIHOI O

MEET THE RESEARCHER RESEARCHER

WHO IMPROVES IMPROVES YOUR YOUR BOTTOM BOTTOMLINE LINE

WITH THE THE HELP WITH HELP OF OF YOUR YOUR SOYBEAN SOYBEANCHECKOFF CHECKOFFDOLLARS. DOLLARS. Meet the researcher whose applied soybean research program improves the bottom line Meet the researcher whose applied soybean research program improves the bottom line of soybean farmers across Ohio. Dr. Laura Lindsey is an assistant professor of soybean of soybean farmers across Ohio. Dr. Laura Lindsey is an assistant professor of soybean and small grain production in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science at and small grain production in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science at The Ohio State University. She’s no stranger to the activities of the Ohio Soybean Council The Ohio State University. She’s no stranger to the activities of the Ohio Soybean Council (OSC). From identifying yield-limiting factors to supporting graduate students’ quests (OSC). From identifying yield-limiting factors to supporting graduate students’ quests to further the industry, she enjoys practical science and focuses on research that delivers to further the industry, she enjoys practical science and focuses on research that delivers direct value to our state’s soybean farmers. She is very appreciative of the support of OSC direct value to our state’s soybean farmers. She is very appreciative of the support of OSC and the soybean checkoff that allows her to offer sound agronomic recommendations. and the soybean checkoff that allows her to offer sound agronomic recommendations.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY OHIO SOYBEAN FARMERS AND THEIR CHECKOFF. BROUGHT TO YOU BY OHIO SOYBEAN FARMERS AND THEIR CHECKOFF.

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Building Membership and Grassroots Advocacy

A Letter from Ohio Agriculture to Ohio Agriculture Regarding LEBOR and Water Quality Dear friends, The seriousness of the water quality issue as it pertains to Ohio agriculture has never been greater than it is right now.

With the recent passage of the Lake Erie Bill of Rights (LEBOR), Lake Erie has now been granted the same legal rights normally reserved for a person.

That means that any Toledoan who believes a business in the watershed is doing something they deem as detrimental to the lake could sue on the lake’s behalf.

It was no secret that if LEBOR passed, agriculture would have the biggest target on its back. Farmers statewide need to be aware of its possible implications.

Wood County farmer Mark Drewes has taken the lead in challenging LEBOR in court. And this letter from every major agriculture group in the state is to let you know we fully support him.

Drewes acted quickly and took a strong approach when he bravely stood up for his family farm and all farms in Ohio by taking legal action to prevent senseless lawsuits stemming from LEBOR. We wholeheartedly agree with Drewes’ strategy, especially with the threat of legal actions against our members. But many of our family, friends and neighbors may see this as a message that Ohio agriculture doesn’t care about water quality and farmers do not want to fix what we acknowledge is a major problem in our state. We all know this is simply not true, but as the saying goes, “If you don’t tell your story, someone else will.”

It’s time to step out of our comfort zone to better share our best practices

with those outside of agriculture and reach out to those who don’t know or understand just how committed we are to healthy water in Ohio.

Our members are making many management changes in the name of clean water. From planting cover crops, to installing buffers and waterways, to using variable rate fertilizer application equipment, to improved manure management, farmers are taking on the responsibility of doing the right things to improve water quality for all Ohioans.

As we evaluate our operations and what measures we are taking for cleaner water, we have to ask if we can do more. Is what we do enough to make our community feel good about our nutrient management efforts? Do those who question our methods fully understand the extent of what we do to protect our shared water?

This is an urgent time to talk to your neighbors. Share how the vast majority of farmers in Ohio are being proactive in finding a balance between producing food and protecting water.

These are tough conversations but they are necessary conversations.

We need to make our case to those who need to hear it.

Work continues with the new administration and state legislators, who understand that agriculture needs to be a part of the water quality solution. Ohio agriculture is also working cooperatively with the conservation and environmental communities to discuss the resources needed to address and remedy Ohio’s water quality problems.

Our message can reach far beyond our fence rows by sharing it online, too. Take pictures of the practices you use on the farm and share why taking the initiative for clean water is so important for you, your family and your farm. Use the hashtag #farmers4oh2o on your social media platforms and let’s use this opportunity to show the public our good work on the water quality front.

We stand beside Drewes Farms and their efforts to protect every one of us and our way of life by defending Ohio agriculture against the legal fallouts from LEBOR. Now let’s step up to reach even more people about agriculture’s positive role in protecting the environment.

Sincerely, Ohio’s agriculture community

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Building Membership and Grassroots Advocacy

Legislation and Programs to Watch House Bill 62 Transportation Budget

Senate Bill 2 - Watershed Programs

In early April, Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 62, a transportation budget bill that will raise Ohio’s gas and diesel tax, currently at 28 cents a gallon, to 38.5 cents for gas and 47 cents for diesel. Additionally, front license plates will no longer be required by July 1, 2020.

The budget goes into effect in July 2019.

Co-sponsored by Sen. Bob Peterson (R-Washington Court House) and Sen. Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls), SB 2 would create a statewide watershed planning structure for watershed programs to be implemented by local soil and water conservation districts.

The bill is being reviewed by the Senate Ag Committee at publication time.

Senate Bill 57 - Hemp

H2Ohio Fund

This bill, co-sponsored by Sen. Brian Hill (R-Zanesville) and Sen. Stephen Huffman (R-Tipp City), would decriminalize hemp and hemp products by excluding them from the definition of marijuana that is used to enforce controlled substance laws.

At the time of publication, this bill has passed in the Senate and is being reviewed by the House Ag Committee.

As part of his proposed biennial budget, Gov. DeWine outlined his H2Ohio water quality initiative. His proposal would create a special fund within the budget that would be used to protect Ohio’s water quality over 10 years and could amount to approximately $900 million. Money would be used for:  Prevention and land-based management programs, such as

funding efforts to minimize the introduction of nutrients and other runoff into Ohio waterways, additional staffing at soil and water conservation districts, and more aggressive action to address failing septic systems and other water treatment needs across Ohio.  Water-based restoration programs, such as the creation of more wetlands in targeted areas to naturally filter out nutrients and sediment and utilizing emerging technologies to minimize water quality problems and treat polluted water.  Science, research, and measurement, such as supporting ongoing research and data collection to advise on metrics and measurable goals, and to stay updated on and utilize new prevention and treatment technologies. u

OHIO GROWS BETTER EVERY SEASON.

The Ohio Soybean Council works closely with researchers at The Ohio State University to keep you on the leading edge of soybean farming. OSU Professor Mark Loux has spent more than three decades studying weeds to help our state’s farmers protect their yields.

With costly weeds like marestail and giant and common ragweed emerging in the fall, Loux suggests a burndown strategy may be key to an effective herbicide program.

Stay on the leading edge. See all the ways the Ohio Soybean Council and soybean checkoff work for you at OhioFieldLeader.com.

©2019 Ohio Soybean Council

FIELD LEADER

Brought to you by Ohio soybean farmers and their checkoff.

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Brou ©2

OH AD_

unitedsoybean.org

INVESTING IN NEW MARKETS FOR U.S. SOY

From promoting the profitability of using high-quality soybean meal in India to training animal producers on nutrition in Colombia, the soy checkoff is working behind the scenes to develop more market opportunities for U.S. soy. 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

Brought to you by the soy checkoff. ©2018 United Soybean Board. Our Soy Checkoff and the Our Soy Checkoff mark are trademarks of United Soybean Board. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

OH AD_8.25 x 10.75_3-25-19.indd 1

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Building Membership and Grassroots Advocacy

Hillsboro Farmer Completes ASA Young Leader Program

By Kayla Weaver

E

very farmer must enter spring with a certain sense of hope that the passing of the seasons will bring a prosperous harvest. While that is true for Hillsboro farmer Adam Vance, this time around he’s also carrying a renewed sense of optimism for his career.

Vance recently attended the American Soybean Association’s (ASA) Young Leader program, sponsored by Corteva Agriscience, where he gained knowledge on new technologies, agricultural issues and most importantly linked up with a network of like-minded farmers.

While the program wasn’t originally on his radar, Vance was nominated and accepted the opportunity to get off the farm for a few days. The first part of the program took place in Des Moines, Iowa, last November with selected young farmers from across the nation gathering for leadership sessions as well as updates on research and technology, the need for public outreach and other current issues the industry is facing.

The second half of the program wrapped up at the Commodity Classic in Orlando in February this year bringing participants together for educational and inspirational presentations, a large trade show and networking with other farmers. The Young Leaders were also recognized at ASA’s annual awards banquet for their participation.

“I’ve been active in other organizations and attended many events before, but this experience has by far given me the best network of fellow farmers across the country,” Vance said.

“Everyone has their own set of issues or challenges and it helps to know you’re not alone. Mental health for farmers has been an increasingly critical issue and being able to connect with each other

and relate can get you out of a rut and provide a renewed level of optimism to ride out a few more hard years.”

Another impactful part was hearing from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue. According to Vance, hearing from Perdue made him feel more relatable as a person and increased the confidence that Perdue is standing with farmers and truly working on their behalf.

With an undeniable passion for agriculture, Vance grew up working on the farm with his grandfather and pushing the status quo by age 14 when he purchased a grain cart to speed up harvest on the farm. After working together for years, he eventually took over the farm from his grandfather and today farms full-time with part-time help from his two brothers who work off the farm as well.

“Farming is really all I know, I like the freedom and knowing that you get out what you put in. If you don’t put in

At ASA’s award banquet, Adam Vance (center) was recognized for participation in the Young Leaders Program by Davie Stephens, ASA President (left) and Alyssa Sundell, Strategy & Engagement Manager External Affairs, Corteva Agriscience (right).

Photo by ASA/Joe Murphy

the effort this year, you probably won’t get the opportunity to do it next year.”

Currently managing about 1000 acres split between soybeans and corn, Vance was an early adopter of cover crops and no-till practices in the area.

Originally looking for a way to preserve their highly erodible rolling acres of farm ground, he believes there are many added benefits. Currently utilizing a mix of wheat, crimson clover and radishes flown on roughly 500 acres of standing crops just before fall, the cover crops have done an excellent job of minimizing broad leaf weed pressure

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and holding onto moisture while minimizing run-off activity.

“It started out for erosion control, but now, 10 years later, I’ve seen a lot of added benefits to cover crops and continuous no-till. We’re changing the soil structure, providing more mulch for the soil and increasing biological activity,” explained Vance.

Improving soil quality is important on his operation that primarily consists of what Vance considers marginal ground — noting that just 20 miles to the east gets into the Appalachian Mountains and 20 miles to the north is richer soil, but their soil type and productivity lies somewhere in between — making it important to look at the profit margin they can achieve when purchasing inputs and penciling out a plan for each year.

“With market prices down a little from last year, we’re still looking at the same profit margin because some of our input costs were down a little. It still comes down to supply and demand, something has to give eventually, it’s just been a slow process,” said Vance. “The last boon in agriculture replaced a lot of old iron as farmers updated equipment, but it also gave high expectations and brought in some farmers that aren’t prepared to handle the leaner times.”

In addition to grain crops, Vance has diversified the farm by adding a growing number of cattle to sell as freezer beef.

Further diversification includes a snowplowing and excavation business. He believes multiple sources of income are important to balance risk as it’s unlikely all sectors will see lows at the same time.

“The livestock sector is the largest consumer of our soybeans, and I believe we need to focus on that more.

I’m hoping to continue to integrate the cattle into our operation, everything we raise now is sold as freezer beef,” said Vance.

He has high hopes for the livestock part of the farm with his 8-year-old daughter, Molly, already taking a strong interest in the livestock, even bidding on cattle at the auction on behalf

of her dad. That optimism carries through as he looks to the future and opportunities that could open up for young farmers as older generations begin exiting. While for some it may simply be time to retire, Vance points out they have likely already seen the best times they’ll have in the industry and aren’t up to ride out more hard years that seem to be on the horizon.

Vance has always been involved in his community and the industry: as an FFA alum and former 8-year county Farm Bureau trustee, he continues to participate in events and advocate for the industry.

As both a grain and livestock producer he hopes to see more industry groups come together in the future and collaborate for the benefit of all agricultural markets.

When he does find a spare moment to get

Adam Vance was part of a class of 39 farmers from almost 20 states and Canada. Photo by ASA/Joe Murphy

away from work, he enjoys spending time with his daughter, camping and hanging out at the lake. u

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May-June 2019

Ohio Soybean News —13

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Investing Checkoff Dollars

Ohio Soybean Checkoff Wins Awards

T

he Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) invests checkoff money into projects that will benefit soybean farmers and make them more profitable, and the Board of Trustees expects results. One way to measure those results is through awards and honors given to the Council throughout the year. Here are some of the awards the Ohio soybean checkoff won for work accomplished in 2018. In addition to these awards, last November OSC also won two R&D 100 awards, which appeared in an article in the January/February 2019 issue of Ohio Soybean News.

National Agri-Marketing Association

The Ohio Soybean Council received two awards from the National AgriMarketing Association in Region VI (Ohio, Eastern, Chesapeake).

OSC’s 2017 Investor Report won first place in the Company Publication Category and the Field Leader website (ohiofieldleader.com) was recognized with a Merit award in the Website Category. Both were presented at the National Best of NAMA competition held in April in Kansas City.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

At the 9th International IPM Symposium in 2018, the North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP) Entomology Research and Extension Team was awarded an International IPM Award of Excellence. NCSRP is funded by checkoff dollars from 12 states, including Ohio. Dr. Kelley Tilmon, from The Ohio State University, led the project from 2012–2018. She currently heads up the Center for Soybean Research at OSU.

Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (OFSWCD)

In February, OSC was awarded the Outstanding Friend of Conservation Award from OFSWCD at their annual Conservation Partnership Meeting. The award recognizes individuals and organizations who have shown a commitment to excellence in conservation.

Ohio Technology & Engineering Educators Association

In addition to its standard state fair attractions, in 2018 OSC hosted the 4-H Water Windmill Challenge, which challenged students to engineer a windpowered electric pumping system for an imaginary farm. This activity taught students the importance of water for both animals and crops, and created a piece of curriculum for OSC’s online

The Ohio Soybean Council was honored to receive the Friend of Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (OFSWCD) award. Pictured are Kirk Merritt, executive director of the Ohio Soybean Council, Harold Neuenschwander, OFSWCD board president from Holmes County, and Steve Reinhard, OSC chairman and Crawford County soybean farmer.

education platform, GrowNextGen.org.

The project was led by Dr. Bob Horton, extension specialist – educational design and science education at The Ohio State University. The Challenge won the 2018 Best Technology Exhibit from the Ohio Technology & Engineering Educators Association. u

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Investing Checkoff Dollars

Precision Ag Reviews Hits the Road to Help Farmers We asked our social media followers: do you have a succession plan in place for your farm?

S

ince it’s debut in 2017, the Ohio Soybean’s Council’s Precision Ag Reviews (PAR) has helped connect farmers through an online review system for precision ag technology and equipment. Last year, PAR had its own booth at Commodity Classic and was featured in the event’s What’s New session series, where over 600 attendees learned about the website.

This year, PAR headed to the National Farm Machinery Show in

Louisville and Commodity Classic in Orlando. Farm shows let OSC talk to farmers face-to-face to let them know about the site and to encourage in-person reviews that will immediately help widen and strengthen the site’s database. Both shows resulted in over 500 combined new reviews for the site.

The more reviews there are, the more credible the site becomes, making it a more useful resource for farmers.

And, farmers already see it as a valuable

40% no

60% yes

resource. Farmers at both trade shows seemed excited about PAR’s website and were interested in using it to inform purchasing decisions.

As for the future, PAR has a few new things planned. Over the next year, the site plans to expand its content to include more educational resources, including insight from precision ag experts from across the country. u Follow Precision Ag Reviews on Facebook (@precisionagreviews) and Twitter (@PAR_AgReviews) for the latest PAR news. Want to write or read a review? Head over to precisionagreviews.com to get started.

2019 Ohio State Fair The Ohio Soybean Council will be at the Land and Living Exhibit in the Nationwide Ag & Hort Building.

Come learn more about how the Council invests your checkoff dollars.

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Investing Checkoff Dollars

Planting Outlook 2019

By Kayla Weaver

F

or many Ohio farmers the 2019 planting season is likely to be more pressing than usual.

With a harvest that lasted well into winter for many, and into spring for some, producers were unable to get into the fields for typical post-harvest fieldwork. Ohio Soybean Council board members Scott Metzger and Nathan Eckel gave an update on their operations as they wait for conditions to come to together for planting.

Scott Metzger of Ross County in southern Ohio reports record rainfall last year that was followed by 14 inches of precipitation from January through March of 2019 leaving the ground saturated moving into April.

For Metzger, harvest wrapped up the first weekend of December, but some producers in the area still had crops standing into the spring. With the late harvest and wet conditions, much of the tillage work and spraying that would have been tended to in the fall was unable to be completed.

While Metzger is hoping for a normal planting season this year, he’s

He’s also hoping to build on their current conservation efforts and take advantage of some new water quality funding programs to expand buffer strips around their cattle operation from the current 30-120 feet up to 300 feet.

Being in the Lake Erie Watershed he is very conscious about how they handle nutrient management and hopes to see some more simplified processes in the future that fit into typical crop rotations with streamlined Scott Metzger sign up processes to get more farmers on board. considered some of the changes that However, he also knows it’s not a one could be made to switch some acres size fits all approach and each farm of corn to soybeans or vice versa and farmer is unique and will have depending on how conditions shape different combinations of practices up and when planting can begin. that will work for them and that need Changes for Metzger this year include to be considered. u adding more non-GMO beans into the mix to try to capture Nathan Eckel some additional markets.

Nathan Eckel of Wood County in Northwest Ohio also had a late harvest that extended into mid-December when frozen ground allowed them to get finished up.

Current concerns are determining if wheat fields will come out of dormancy or if those acres will need to be planted to a different crop. Limited opportunity for post-harvest field work also has him looking at a race to get fields prepped for planting this spring.

Eckel is planning to stick with what works and continue on last year’s success of planting a later season variety of soybeans in 30-inch rows.

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Investing Checkoff Dollars

More Than China: Asian Markets Continue to Grow for U.S. Soy

By Jen Del Carmen, USSEC

W

ith so much attention on China over the past year, it’s easy to overlook the other numerous international markets served by U.S. Soy, including many on the Asian continent.

Asia offers a wide range of differing export markets. The U. S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) generally divides Asia into three regions: Greater China, North Asia, Southeast Asia and the Asia Subcontinent. Greater China includes Taiwan and China; North Asia is comprised of Japan and South Korea; and Southeast Asia includes Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, among others. The Asia Subcontinent, which includes Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, will not be covered here.

In Southeast Asia, four countries are ranked within the top 20 global broiler producers, says Timothy Loh, USSEC Regional Director – Southeast Asia. “And in global aquaculture production, we have three countries ranked in the top 5 and another three countries ranked in the top 12. For global pork production, Vietnam and the Philippines ranked no. 5 and no. 7, plus Thailand is the world’s third largest exporter of broiler meat,” he adds.

And Korea provides great opportunity for food grade soybeans and, eventually, high oleic soybean oil, says Roz Leeck, USSEC Regional Director – North Asia. She continues, “Japan’s resurgent crush is positively impacting U.S. exports, which are up 24 percent from the same time last year.”

Here’s a more detailed look at some of these markets.

Indonesia

This market is a priority for U.S. Soy’s food exports program and is currently

the fourth largest market for whole U.S. commodity grade soybeans that go into the production of a local staple food, tempe, for human consumption. U.S. soybean exports continue to increase year on year, and the U.S. holds more than a 95 percent market share. With no local oilseed crushing industry, Indonesia imports all of its more than 4.5 million metric tons (MMT) of soybean meal demand. With time and investment, there is good potential to grow the market share for U.S. soybean meal.

Japan

Tokyo was the location of the first international U.S. soy office, and the U.S. soy industry has maintained a constant presence in Japan since 1956. The U.S. enjoys a 72 percent market share here.

Although Japan’s population is rapidly aging, U.S. market share in crush and soyfoods continues to increase.

With Japan implementing free trade agreements with the EU and others, it is increasingly important for the U.S. to establish a trade agreement with Japan.

Philippines

The Philippines, which is U.S. Soy’s

“7/11 and Lawson stores in Japan carry quick, easy to prepare soyfoods,” says Bob Suver. “In many cases, customers can microwave and consume these right in the store. It was really neat to see how soy has adapted to meet these end users’ needs and lifestyles.”

top meal market, is one of the most dynamic emerging markets in the East Asia region, with sound economic fundamentals and a competitive workforce that is globally recognized.

The Philippines has an excellent relationship with the United States for economic, sociopolitical, and historic reasons. Philippine importers and end users continue to pay a premium for U.S. origination, resulting in an 80 percent market share for U.S. meal. The U.S. also enjoys a 95 percent share of the whole soybean market, supplying a local crushing operation, with the remainder going to full fat soy production.

South Korea

The Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement has helped to make South Korea the No. 1 market for U.S. soybean oil. South

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Korea has a GDP of $1.5 trillion and more than 50 million soy consumers.

U.S. Soy has a 70 percent market share in non-GM food beans. The structure of the market for importing/purchasing soybean meal presents challenges for U.S. soybean meal. While it is widely recognized that U.S. soybean meal has a superior nutrient bundle, it is often priced at a premium as compared to other origins, making it difficult to convince entire purchasing groups to import U.S. soybeans.

Taiwan

Taiwan imports all of its soybean needs for its 23 million soy consumers. Of the 2.6 MMT of soybeans imported, 76 percent go to crush, 14 percent for full fat, and 10 percent to soyfoods. The U.S. maintains a 76 percent market share

here, and while the country’s population growth is flat, it is not shrinking.

Thailand

Despite facing a number of political challenges, Thailand has made great progress in social and economic issues, resulting in sustained economic growth and impressive poverty reduction.

Thailand is the 22nd largest economy globally and two-way trade has grown by more than 36 percent over the past decade. A top poultry meat exporter, Thai chicken meat exports are forecast to further increase to 870,000 metric tons (MT) in 2019 due to anticipated growth in exports to Japan and other non-EU markets. U.S. soy exports for whole soybeans and soybean meal grew by 40 percent and 80 percent respectively in FY 2018 from the previous year.

Vietnam

Vietnam ranks as the 35th largest economy globally. U.S. exports to the country increased more than nine-fold to $10.3 billion in 2016, up 43 percent from 2015 and up 823 percent over the last decade.

Vietnam is the United States’ 10th largest agricultural export market.

Led by a communist government, Vietnam is relatively open and market driven. The middle and affluent class will double in size between 2014 and 2020. In FY18, Vietnam’s demand for U.S. soybeans and soybean meal increased by 120 percent and 156 percent respectively, primarily as a result of the U.S.China trade dispute as U.S. Soy’s value proposition became very attractive for its price. u

Ohio Soybean Council’s Engagement in Asia The Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) has been involved in several key projects in Asia, including USSEC’s Japan Soy Food Program and USSEC’s Korea U.S. Food Soybean Trade Support. International trade teams have visited Ohio, and OSC is helping to increase U.S. pork demand in Japan through a partnership with the U.S. Meat Export Federation’s (USMEF) Pork Market Development Program.

In April 2018, OSC directors Bill Bayliss of Logan County and Bob Suver of Clark County took part in a mission to Tokyo, Japan, and Seoul, South Korea, to promote Ohio soybeans and learn how OSC can better serve the food grade soybean market in those countries.

“In Japan, we met with customers who specifically asked us about Ohio soybean varieties,” says Bayliss. “A specific variety of soybean had been discontinued, so we had a lot of end users asking us about new varieties.”

“Ohio is well-positioned with its universities to provide customers with a new answer when varieties are pulled,”

continues Suver. “For example, a high protein, large sized bean was developed through The Ohio State University, so we made sure to talk to them about that. We also got some positive feedback on how much they liked the good smell and high quality of Ohio soybeans.”

In South Korea, the growers gave presentations to about 100 attendees at the South Korean U.S. Foodbean Buyers Conference, emphasizing sustainability practices on their farms and the strategic advantage of buying U.S. soybeans. Dependability is a pillar of the U.S. Soy Advantage, and Suver highlighted U.S. Soy’s dependability through its superior infrastructure.

Ohio’s infrastructure is designed to go in any direction, Suver points out. “We’ve created new container shipping points. Our beans can go via rail to the West Coast, through Cincinnati down the river to New Orleans, north through the Great Lakes,

(Left to right): Bob Suver; Bill Bayliss; Gangheung Godard Beancurd Co. chairman Seon Youn Choi; and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Minister Counselor Ron Verdonk show off a bag of U.S. soybeans being unloaded in South Korea. and out to the East Coast,” he says with pride.

Missions such as these are key to maintaining good relationships with customers, says Bayliss. “It’s important for us to say directly to our customers, ‘How can we help?’ Whether they ask for us to send samples, set up visits to our farms, or something else, we need our customers to know that we’re accessible.”

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Investing Checkoff Dollars

Better Soy Wax for Good Cause

By Julia Brown

F

or some, it might be hard to imagine soybeans playing a role in ending human trafficking, but talk to Amber Runyon, founder of Eleventh Candle Co., and the relationship between the two makes a little more sense.

Eleventh Candle Co. is a social enterprise in Worthington, Ohio, working to redeem, restore, empower and equip those vulnerable to human trafficking, abuse, exploitation and addiction, and bring awareness to human trafficking.

The company all started with a trip Runyon made to Ethiopia. She had been working as a hospice nurse who went on medical mission trips to countries like Kenya and Honduras. On a trip to Ethiopia, Runyon’s heart broke after she saw mothers selling their bodies to feed their children. After returning to Columbus, however, she became aware the problem was just as bad at home.

So she set out to make a difference in women’s lives. She realized that where society fails women is in employment opportunities. Oftentimes, women who are trafficked acquire criminal records and are seldom given employment opportunities once they escape trafficking. She decided to give them back those opportunities.

Runyon Googled the cheapest and easiest business to start and saw one overwhelming answer: candle making.

“So we started a candle company in December 2015. I didn’t even like candles then,” Runyon said, with a smile.

Through their business operations, Eleventh Candle now provides trauma

informed counseling and employment above minimum wage for at-risk individuals, supported by proceeds from its products, including its 100 percent soy wax candle collection.

Knowing very little about candle making, Runyon originally picked soy wax on a whim. She joked that she didn’t even know if soy wax really came from soybeans in the beginning. But she soon realized soy wax was a real crowd-pleaser.

It burns cleaner, longer and more evenly than petroleum-based candles. In other words, soy wax was a triple-threat. But it had one problem: “It’s a very finicky raw material,” Runyon explained. Soy wax has a wide-range of defect level, anywhere from 15 to 95 percent.

Runyon tells her employees that she should be able to ice skate across the top of one of Eleventh’s candles because they should be so smooth. “As a company, we will not send out anything but the absolute best,” she said. But with soy wax

having such a large defect range, it can be difficult for quality control. “We open up a box of wax and it’s like, is it wet? Is it not wet? Are we going to have craters?

Are we not going to have craters?”

Runyon said, demonstrating the high variability. “We’re hoping by working with you guys [OSC] we get a more stable and consistent product.”

After seeing Eleventh Candle Co.’s store in the Polaris Mall in Columbus and realizing the company used 100 percent soy wax, Barry McGraw, director of commercialization and product development at the Ohio Soybean Council, saw an opportunity to collaborate. After talking to Runyon, he wanted to take on the challenge of developing a more stable soy wax. Work for the project got underway in April and is estimated to take about four months.

Most large candle companies cannot rely on 100 percent soy wax if it has such a high defect rate. Instead, Runyon

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explained, companies any larger than Eleventh will resort to using petroleumbased paraffin wax or a soy wax-blend. In fact, just before McGraw reached out to the company, they had already started to look at alternative wax blends.

“Soy wax is a natural product, making it more prone to inconsistencies,” McGraw explained.

“Petroleum is a popular alternative because it’s very standard across the board.” He elaborated that he currently predicts the chemical nature of conventional soybean oil is the root cause of inconsistent product quality.

If the Ohio Soybean Council can invest checkoff dollars into successfully developing a better soy wax, it could have huge implications for other candle companies, and even other products.

“This could solve not just Eleventh Candle’s problems with their wax, but with other applications as well,” McGraw explained. Things like cardboard and food packaging are also coated in wax, but companies in those arenas have

had to steer clear of soy because of the inconsistencies.

In addition to a more consistent wax, McGraw is also working on making a soy wax that can cool faster. Typically, Eleventh’s candles take about 24 hours to completely set, which requires careful production planning and timing. The company also allows customers to pour their own candles at their Polaris Mall location, a process which could also be improved with a faster setting time.

Another goal for Runyon is to source the wax specifically from Ohio soybeans.

Currently the company gets their wax from plants in South Carolina and Georgia, but Runyon thinks that sourcing locally from Ohio could complete a chain that starts with helping Ohio soybean farmers, moves through an Ohio business and ends by helping local survivors of human trafficking.

The one way Runyon wishes she could connect more with farmers? “I would love to come shadow one of them for a day,” she said. “I would love to learn what

makes a good soybean, what it’s like to be a soybean farmer in Ohio.”

Currently, the company operates two retail locations in Columbus (Polaris Mall and The Madery in Worthington), but they are planning to expand, adding 10 additional stores in the next five years. More information about Eleventh Candle Co can be found at eleventhcandleco.com. u To learn more about how checkoff dollars are being invested in product research, visit www.soyohio.org/council/ product-research or contact Barry McGraw at bmcgraw@soyohio.org.

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Investing Checkoff Dollars

Scholarship Recipients The Ohio Soybean Council Foundation (OSCF) is pleased to announce the scholarship recipients for the 2019–2020 academic year.  Graduate scholarships of $5,000 were awarded to Jenna Miller, Keeley Overmyer and Fides Zaulda.

T

his is the 12th year for the OSCF Scholarship Program, which was created to encourage undergraduate students to pursue degrees in one of the many academic fields that support the future of the soybean industry including agriculture, business, communication, economics, education, science and technology, as well as to support ongoing graduatelevel research. Since 2008, the OSCF scholarship program has awarded over $350,000 in scholarship funds to students studying agriculture or a related field at Ohio colleges or universities.

 Undergraduate scholarships of $3,000 each were awarded to Lea Kimley, Bernard Kuether, Elizabeth Landis, Kayle Mast, Tanner Matthews and Rex Tietje. The annual $3,000 FLM Harvest Scholarship, awarded to students in the field of agriculture communications or business, was awarded to Courtney Heiser. The annual $5,000 Bhima Vijayendran Scholarship, named in honor of a Battelle research scientist who has made tremendous contributions to the soybean industry, was awarded to Kevin Fruth. The Robinson W. Joslin Scholarship was awarded to Mary Buehler. The annual $3,000 scholarship was created to honor a long-time leader in the soybean industry both in Ohio and nationally, who passed away in May 2016.

“I want to congratulate our 2019–2020 scholarship recipients,” said Bill Bayliss, OSC board member, soybean farmer from Logan County and scholarship selection committee member. “We had many outstanding applicants that not only made our decision very difficult, but also reminded us that the soybean industry has a bright future ahead.”

Undergraduate Winners  Mary Buehler of Anna, Ohio, is a junior at The Ohio State University studying Agribusiness and Applied Economics.  Kevin Fruth of Fostoria, Ohio, is a sophomore at the University of Toledo studying Chemical Engineering.  Courtney Heiser of Attica, Ohio, is a freshman at The Ohio State University studying Agricultural Communication.  Lea Kimley of South Charleston, Ohio, is a junior at The Ohio State University studying Agricultural Communication.  Ben Kuether of Covington, Ohio, is a junior at The Ohio State University studying Sustainable Plant Systems.  Elizabeth Landis of Anna, Ohio, is a junior at The Ohio State University studying Agriscience Education.  Kayle Mast of London, Ohio, is a junior at Wilmington College studying Agronomy.  Tanner Matthews of Ohio City, Ohio, is a junior at The Ohio State University

studying Agricultural Systems Management.  Rex Tietje of Deshler, Ohio, is a junior at The Ohio State University studying Agricultural Systems Management.

Graduate Winners  Jenna Miller of West Chester, Ohio is pursuing her Master of Science in Food Science at The Ohio State University. Her research consists of investigating changes in inflammation markers in humans after consumption of a high-lycopene tomato juice with soy isoflavones added. She is also examining soy’s ability to reduce risk for diseases related to chronic inflammation, like cardiovascular disease and certain cancers, therefore promoting the benefits of a soy-rich diet.  Keeley Overmyer of Burgoon, Ohio is pursuing her Master of Science in Agronomy at The Ohio State University. Keeley is studying the effect that cover crops have on disease and insect pressure. Her research also examines the impact that continuous soybean systems have on yield.  Fides Zaulda of the Philippines is pursuing her Doctorate in Plant Pathology at The Ohio State University’s Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wooster, Ohio. Fides’ research focuses on bean pod mottle virus to find genetic resistance in soybeans to phytophthora root rot, allowing better breeding. She also works with CRISPR/Cas technology to engineer new herbicide resistant traits in soybeans. u

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Investing Checkoff Dollars

A

Water Quality Matters

s an Ohioan, I appreciate the things that make our state unique including the businesses and recreational opportunities afforded by Lake Erie. As a farmer, I appreciate that agriculture is an integral part of our state’s economy and a large part of our history.

Most Ohio farms are steeped in tradition and have been handed down through many generations. While we may have saved one of great grandpa’s old tractors, we have come a long way Cover crops also benefit the Eckels’ cattle operation, including the pearl millet and triticale they plant into wheat stubble to use for forage.

from the farming practices used during his time. With each generation we learn more and strive to do better — better for our families, better for the environment, better for our communities and with a renewed focus, better for our water.

On our farm we have implemented cover crops, which doubles as forage for our beef cattle operation. We’ve also had buffer strips on our farm for close to 15 years, which we will continue to enhance through funding from Ohio Senate Bill 299. If you live in the Western Lake Erie Basin, I strongly recommend reaching out to your local soil and water conservation district office to learn more about the new programs created through SB 299 and how you can use them on your own farm.

We put these plans into action because we believe in being part of the solution, but it takes time to accomplish a goal this big. Our efforts are focused on soil health through nutrient management. As the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Lucky Farmers Cooperative, I am proud to work not only personally, but professionally toward better soil health as one of two co-ops in the Western Lake Erie Basin selected to participate in a pilot program for nutrient management.

Like many of you, we often take our access to clean, fresh water on a daily basis for granted, but on a warm July afternoon working outside under the hot sun, I can tell you we are thankful for that cool drink of water. And those nights we come in after a long day in the field or shop with dirt under our fingernails and dust mixed with sweat on our forehead we are grateful for that cleansing shower.

I consider it a privilege to be a farmer and be able to work so closely with nature and hope to preserve the land, water and resources that make this state a great place to live, work and play.

Our lake did not arrive in this position overnight and it will not be fixed with a magic solution. It’s going to take hard work from everyone involved.

Ohio grain farmers have embraced new farming priorities and practices in order to keep nutrients on the field, have invested in scientific research and new farming equipment, and are applying

Nathan Eckel

less phosphorous on their fields than ever before. Research and education funded by Ohio’s corn, soybean and wheat farmers include the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program, edge-of-field water quality testing and updating the Tri-State Fertility Guide.

To date Ohio’s grain organizations have invested over $5 million toward water quality research and education.

On our farm and at our co-op, we live nutrient management every day. I know myself and my fellow farmers want to be part of the conversation because we’re focused on being part of the solution.

Nathan Eckel Wood County Farmer

The Eckels use crimson clover as a cover crop on their Wood County farm.

Crimson clover is a legume, meaning it adds to the nitrogen pool and brings up nutrients from deeper in the soil.

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