Together, we raise our community’s standard of living.
Animal agriculture is the soybean industry’s number one domestic customer. Ohio livestock and poultry producers purchase over 700,000 tons of locally grown soybean meal to feed their dairy cows, beef cattle, chickens and hogs. And that’s just part of their economic impact. They also account for over 43,000 jobs statewide. And generate more than $246 million in tax revenue.
A strong animal agriculture industry in Ohio helps ensure a better living for soybean farmers and the entire rural community. By supporting livestock producers, we help ourselves.
www.animalag.org
The Tradition Continues … Tune in to listen to Dale Minyo, Ohio’s most recognized farm broadcaster.
Shelby County Farm Family Honored for Good Environmental Practices
Page 6
Sustainability is a hot topic among the farming community. As the technologies involved with farming continue to change at a rapid pace, they bring to light the need to ensure that family farms will be viable for future generations.
Soybean Checkoff Partners with USMEF in Support of Meat Exports
Page 10
Efforts to put more U.S. meat on the tables of consumers around the world are helping to give soybean farmers in this country a boost. These efforts, conducted by the U.S. Meat Export Federation, are supported by the Ohio Soybean Council and others through the soybean checkoff program.
You Can Do That with Soybeans?
Eight New Uses for Soy
Page 14
When most people think of soybeans, they think about the plants in the field or the tiny tan bean. Seldom do people think of things like plastic, inks, carpet and insulation. Soybeans are a versatile crop with the capability of replacing chemical feedstocks, particularly petrochemicals, in many of the common materials we use on a daily basis.
OSU Soybean Breeding Program Growing to Meet Industry Needs:
Soybean Checkoff Major Contributor to Program’s Success
Page 16
Growing demand for food-grade and industrial-use soybean varieties has spurred an expansion of Ohio State University’s soybean breeding program – a welcome boost in a highly competitive industry.
About the cover
When most people think of soybeans, they think about the plants in the field or the tiny tan bean. Seldom do people think of things like plastic, inks, carpet and insulation. Here’s a view of eight new uses for soybeans that have the highest market potential and were funded in part by the soybean checkoff.
cover Photos courtesy of the united soybeAn boArd/soybeAn checkoff.
This is my last article. After two years of writing for the Ohio Soybean Association (OSA) Leader Letter, and then two years of comments in the Ohio Soybean Review, I will be turning the keyboard over to my successor. I am term-limited out as an officer of OSA. “Bittersweet” describes my feelings. I will use my last article to convey the myriad of other issues and complexities facing your soybean industry.
Everyone is aware of issues with the farm bill, increasing regulations, supporting domestic livestock and developing an appropriate biodiesel standard. I would like to take this chance to mention a few lesser-known concerns.
Although OSA has had a good run with membership growth, the American Soybean Association (ASA) has had a significant membership decrease. Recently, ASA conducted a series of focus groups with farmers to gain a better understanding of this problem. Results showed that farmers widely supported the lobbying and policy work of ASA and OSA. However, an extremely high percentage of farmers were unaware legislation bans soybean checkoff funds from policy work. Your voluntary membership in ASA and OSA is paramount to advancing soybean policy.
This membership decline, along with fewer volunteers willing to solicit memberships, creates a need for a different member delivery process. ASA is working diligently to develop this new mechanism, while maintaining ASA as a voluntary organization.
In Ohio, the OSA and Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) boards are separate, but still work closely and positively together. A few states have joined the two boards into one and simply use separate funds for the checkoff and noncheckoff programs. Time will tell if conjoined boards are appropriate vehicles for serving farmers.
Those same states, joined by a few others, have begun an evaluation of ASA and the United Soybean Board (USB), your national checkoff board. This relationship is often disappointing. The Soy Opportunities Task Force was formed by those states, using both checkoff funds and membership dollars, to evaluate and identify suggestions on a national level. In June, preliminary results
were released with final suggestions to soon follow. So far, I have not seen the final results. I welcome opportunities to improve ASA. I challenge all farmer leaders, in both ASA and USB, to give the Soy Opportunities Task Force results due consideration and implement needed changes.
At this time, I would like to take the opportunity to thank a few dear friends. Tony Anderson, past ASA president, has been a mentor and sounding board when I needed one. Mr. Bruns, my high school government teacher, taught me simply “silence is consent.” Often consent is not appropriate. Marvin Ditmer, my 4-H advisor, and Steve Weadock, a retired teacher who edited these articles and offered unbiased discussion, also deserves thanks. And most importantly, I say thank you to my wife, Ellen, who offered both appropriate criticism and encouragement. I will stop with these few, but the list is endless.
I must also thank everyone for their kind words of encouragement after reading my thoughts and stories. I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to communicate with you. I wish I could sit down personally with each one of you to glean your ideas and thoughts.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as an Ohio Soybean Association officer. This episode is over for me, but other episodes are continuing. Leadership and involvement are needed from all of you – because farming matters.
robinson W. Joslin ohio soybean Association Chairman shelby County soybean Farmer
President
Mark Watkins, Hardin County chairman
Jeff Sollars, Fayette County Vice President membership
Jeff Wuebker, Darke County secretary
Dave Dotterer, Wayne County treasurer
Brett Davis, Delaware County trustees
Bill Agle, Clark County
Jerry Bambauer, Auglaize County
John Buck, Marion County
Dave Dotterer, Wayne County
Mike Heffelfinger, Van Wert County
Kevin Homan, Henry County
Rob Joslin, Shelby County
Ed Lamalie, Sandusky County
Lyle McKanna, Putnam County
Clark Myers, Mahoning County
Dale Shawk, Crawford County
Sam Shuey, Clark County
Bruce Simmons, Medina County
Bob Slicker, Stark County
Joe Steiner, Warren County
AmericAn soybeAn AssociAtion Directors
Rob Joslin, Shelby County
Joe Steiner, Warren County
Mark Watkins, Hardin County industry Affiliates
Kathy Alvarez, Bunge NA
Jim Beuerlein, The Ohio State University
Andrea Guckes, Cargill Inc.
Don Ralph, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation
staff credits
John Lumpe and Kirk Leeds....Publisher
Ann Clinton Millsap....Editor
Jamie Mossbarger....Editorial Manager
Shelby J. Ostrander....Senior Creative Advisor
Gary Usovsky....Senior Creative Advisor
Kelly Mescher....Staff Writer
Jennifer Coleman....Staff Writer
Rob Stewart....Publications Production Assistant
David Larson....Sales Director
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OhiO SOybean aSSOciatiOn
eLectS new OfficerS
by Jennifer Coleman
The Ohio Soybean Association (OSA) Board of Trustees elected officers for 2007-08 during the June meeting. These Executive Committee positions include the offices of president, chairman, vice president, treasurer and secretary. Those elected to these positions are responsible for the implementation of board policies and procedures, as well as carrying out the roles of their respective office.
Mark Watkins, a soybean and livestock producer from Hardin County was elected as the new OSA president. He previously served on the executive committee as OSA vice president and membership chairman for two terms. Watkins also represents OSA at the national level as a board member for the American Soybean Association (ASA).
osA officers (L to r): bret davis, treasurer, delaware county; Jeff Wuebker, vice president, darke county; dave dotterer, secretary, Wayne county; Mark Watkins, president, hardin county and Jeff sollars, chairman, fayette county.
Jeff Sollars of Fayette County was elected chairman. He is the outgoing OSA president and served at that position for two terms.
Jeff Wuebker, Darke County soybean farmer, was elected vice president after serving as treasurer for two terms. Bret Davis, from Delaware County, was elected to replace Wuebker as treasurer. Dave Dotterer, soybean farmer from Wayne County was re-elected secretary.
rob Joslin (center) was re-elected as a representative to the AsA board. Joslin joins Mark Watkins (left) and Joe steiner (right) who also represent osA at the national level.
Rob Joslin, Shelby County soybean farmer and outgoing OSA chairman, was elected to another term as the OSA representative on the American Soybean Association (ASA) Board of Directors, where he currently serves on the Executive Committee as a vice president. He joins Watkins and Joe Steiner, from Warren County, on the ASA board.
Shelby County Farm Family Honored for Good Environmental Practices
Sustainability is a hot topic among the farming community. As the technologies involved with farming continue to change at a rapid pace, they bring to light the need to ensure that family farms will be viable for future generations. A strong future is partially based on what technologies are adopted today, and what efficiencies can be found in management practices.
The Joslin Farm in Shelby County is a good example of how farmers are preparing for the next generation.
Rob and Ellen Joslin have been farming their 1,000 acres since 1973, when they took over the family farm, W.R. Joslin and Son Inc., which the family began farming over 100 years ago. Over the years, they have steadily integrated new management techniques into their operation that included hybrid seed production in the 1930s to Geographic Information System (GIS) referencing today.
“We were early adapters of no-till,” Rob Joslin says. “We began in 1976
on some of the acreage, testing out the practice. And in the next 14 years, we were able to completely shift our farm to 100 percent no-till.”
“We were early adapters of no-till,” Rob Joslin says.
No-till practices don’t disturb the soil. This reduces unfavorable effects like soil compaction, loss of organic matter, disruption of organic matter
Rob and Ellen Joslin on their 1,000 acre farm.
and microbes in the soil and erosion. Not only does no-till benefit the soil, it also helps reduce the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere.
The Joslins didn’t stop at no-tilling either. They began using yield monitoring systems in 1993. These
For their efforts, the Joslins were one of six operations awarded with a 2007 Environmental Stewardship Award. These awards are given out by the Ohio Livestock Coalition, the Ohio Soybean Association and the Ohio Corn Growers Association, to livestock and grain farmers who go above and beyond their duties to conduct operations with good management practices.
“We feel really honored to have received this award,” Ellen Joslin says. “Our hope is that by continuing these practices and evolving with new technologies as they arise, we have set up an operation that will be viable for future generations.”
2007 Environmental Stewardship Award Winners
Beef
Stoll Select Farms
Bob and Lois Stoll
Bellefontaine, Logan County
Corn and Soybeans
The Joslin Farm
Rob and Ellen Joslin
Sidney, Shelby County
Dairy
Bridgewater Dairy LLC
Chris, Nancy and Leon Weaver
Montpelier, Williams County
Pork
Bell Farms Ag LLC
“We feel really honored to have received this award,” Ellen Joslin says.
systems have allowed the Joslins to track nutrient removal in their soil. This practice minimizes the amount of commercial fertilizer being used on their operation, while keeping yield levels high.
On top of reducing fertilizer usage, the Joslins have also installed filter strips near the streams and open waterways on their farm. These filter strips help manage the environmental impact fertilizer has on the water and, in return, benefit the local wildlife, reduce the amount of erosion and protect the sustainability of their operation.
The efforts of farm families like the Joslins showcase the sustainability that exists in agriculture. Farmers conduct good management practices to ensure that the land they rely on will be healthy and nutrient-ready for the future and will continue to provide crops and livestock that are the backbone of a strong agriculture industry in this country.
“As the grain producer award winner, my management practices are a little different from the livestock producers who won awards,” Rob Joslin says. “But it’s the combined efforts of all producers, which really go toward making the future of agriculture brighter for the next generation of farmers.”
Irv, Jean, Matt and Melissa Bell
Zanesville, Muskingum County
Poultry
Bowman and Landes Turkey Farm
Stan and Steve Landes and Carl Bowman
New Carlisle, Miami County
Sheep Cline Farms
Curt and Wendy Cline
Albany, Athens County
Rob Joslin - Environmental Stewardship award winner.
OARDC MAkes switCh
tO sOy BiODiesel
by Mauricio Espinoza OARDC Communications
At the April 19 annual conference of the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) in Columbus, Director Steve Slack highlighted the center’s commitment to several agricultural biosciences initiatives that deal with the production of renewable feedstocks and products, optimization of processes for generation of clean energy, and studies of the economic impact of producing and implementing new feedstocks and processes.
In fact, OARDC is leading projects aimed at spurring Ohio’s emerging bioeconomy – the production of renewable energy, fuels, materials and other biobased products and processes. Among these projects are two Third Frontier Project-funded programs: the Ohio BioProducts Innovation Center (OBIC), which links the agricultural and polymer industries to develop renewable, specialty chemicals, polymers and advanced materials; and the Biomass to Energy project,
which seeks to convert Ohio’s abundant agricultural and food-processing wastes into clean energy via biodigester and fuel cell technologies.
In addition to these and other research activities, OARDC is also committed to reducing energy consumption at its facilities and using cleaner fuel alternatives.
“There are two categories in Governor Strickland’s Executive Order 2007-02S that impact OARDC: reducing and improving energy consumption in buildings and transportation,” OARDC Associate Director David Benfield says. “We developed a 10-year facilities plan in which improvements in energy efficiency of our buildings is a priority both in construction of new facilities and renovation of older facilities. For example, one of our renovation priorities is to replace energy-inefficient windows, doors, lighting, motors, etc., with more energy-efficient materials and equipment. OARDC has also been using soy biodiesel fuel in its diesel trucks and tractors.”
OARDC is using soy biodiesel in engines and vehicles operated by both its facilities services and research operations units.
John Ott, assistant to the OARDC director for facilities services, says the four diesel-powered vehicles in his unit –including two trucks that transport feed to Wooster campus farms and OARDC’s outlying agricultural research stations around the state – have been running on B20 soy biodiesel since last autumn. He
said the switch has been problem-free, except for some congealing that occurred during last winter’s frigid temperatures; additives, however, took care of that issue.
In the meantime, the research operations unit, which oversees the Wooster campus farms, began using B5 soy biodiesel in March to fuel dieselpowered engines, tractors, harvesters and other machinery. According to Ken Scaife, assistant to the OARDC director for research operations, his unit purchases nearly 15,000 gallons of diesel a year for Wooster campus operations, and he expects half of that will be in B5 biodiesel.
“It is within the mission of OARDC to move toward being more energy efficient and carbon neutral and using cleaner fuels such as biodiesel, that add value to agricultural crops,” Benfield said in reference to OARDC’s switch to soy biodiesel.
OARDC, the largest and most comprehensive agricultural research facility in the United States, is the research arm of OSU’s College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The center brings together some 230 scientists engaged in more than 400 research projects at any time. Through collaborations with industry and government agencies, OARDC generates more than $1 billion in annual economic impact and cost savings to Ohio and the United States. To learn more visit http:// www.oardc.ohio-state.edu
by Jennifer Coleman
Though soybean rust has not yet reached as far north as Ohio, it is in the best interest of everyone in the soybean industry to be prepared. If the worst should happen, and soybean rust does make it to Ohio during the summer months, how will you know when to spray?
The Ohio State University (OSU), with funding from the Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) and the soybean checkoff, is working to ensure that farmers in Ohio know as soon as possible if and when to start spraying for rust. They are doing so through the use of sentinel plots. These test plots are planted at strategic locations throughout the state, covering at least 250 square feet and planted much earlier in the year than other soybeans.
Once the plants emerge, they are scouted on a frequent basis and could serve as an invaluable warning system for farmers. “There is a big need for sentinel plots because soybean rust can be very devastating if we do not consistently scout,” says Steve Ruhl, director for the OSU Morrow County Extension and soybean farmer, who manages a sentinel plot on his farm.
Roughly two-thirds of these sentinel plots are placed on working soybean farms. The producer volunteers the land, plants the soybeans and scouts the plants. “These volunteer producers are willing to plant soybeans well before anyone else is planting,” says Anne Dorrance, OSU Extension plant pathologist with the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. “We are so grateful for this kind of producer support.”
But in order for the sentinel plot system to work, the plants must not only be scouted frequently, but also very carefully. In the past, observation consisted of someone scouting for signs of disease, insects or rust. But this year, a new procedure has been put into place.
Now, 100 leaflets are collected each week and sent to a lab at OSU where
Sentinel Plots: Valuable Warning System for Ohio Soybean Farmers
sentinel plots are planted at strategic locations throughout the state and could serve as an invaluable warning system for farmers.
they are examined thoroughly. If rust is found, OSU will submit samples to the USDA for verification, and then OSU will utilize communication outlets to get the information to the farmers quickly. Some of these outlets include the Crop Observation and Reporting Network, newsletters, faxes, and e-mails to county educators and the farmer-dealer clientele.
“This process will take pressure off people out there scouting each week who may miss rust pustules on the leaves because of low magnification and other errors,” Ruhl says. “With the new process we are able to utilize the experts in the labs.”
In addition to the potential for saving a soybean crop, the sentinel plots could also save farmers money in spraying costs. The price for rust spraying is approximately $20 per acre. Because of the sentinel plot warning system, farmers
could save money by not spraying unnecessarily.
Soybean rust could pose a major threat to farmers if it manages to reach Ohio, and OSC is working to make sure farmers have this early warning system. Dorrance said, “The continued cooperation between the university [OSU] and support from the soybean checkoff through OSC is so important to the sentinel plot program.”
steve ruhl works the sentinel plot located on his farm in Morrow county, ohio.
Soybean Checkoff Partners with
USMEF in Support of Meat Exports
A campaign currently being funded by osc and the soybean checkoff is one that enhances retail pork sales in Japan through sauce packets created by the usMef in cooperation with daisho, one of the major seasoning manufacturers in Japan.
efforts to put more U.S. meat on the tables of consumers around the world are helping to give soybean farmers in this country a boost. These efforts, conducted by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), are supported by the Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) and others through the soybean checkoff program.
“Increasing the value of our soybeans by feeding them to U.S. livestock is both logical and profitable,” says Dan Corcoran, OSC chairman. “And the more of the resulting meat we sell outside of our borders, the better the market for our crops.”
Hogs and the pork they produce are especially valuable outlets for soybeans. In fact, every pound of U.S. pork exported represents the utilization of 1.3 pounds of U.S. soybeans. Overall, as a result of U.S. red meat exports in 2006 more than 54 million bushels of soybeans were “exported.”
“Our U.S. red meat exports are getting more and more important to the profitability of the red meat industry,” says John Hinners, USMEF assistant vice president of Industry Relations. “These profits encourage expansion in the industry, which increases the demand and utilization of soybeans for livestock feed. This is just one more way of keeping the soybean industry profitable.”
Hinners points out that more than 95 percent of the world’s population lives outside of U.S. borders. Increasing demand for red meat over the long haul will necessitate tapping into the potential demand in other countries.
By 2010, it’s estimated that exports of U.S. red meat will account for the utilization of nearly 68 million bushels of soybeans. It’s also estimated that a 1 percent increase in the export of U.S. red meat increases the utilization of U.S. corn and soybeans by more than 2 million bushels.
growing Annually
Each year for the past 15 years, pork exports have been on the increase. Last year the U.S. exported about 1.26 million metric tons of pork and pork variety meats, worth approximately $2.86 billion. That’s twice the value of pork exports in 2000, when about 581,497 metric tons of pork and pork variety meats were exported.
Japan a target
Japan, the largest importer of U.S. pork and pork variety meats by value, is an example of the opportunities for U.S. pork in international markets. In 2006, the U.S. exported 337,373 metric tons of these products to Japan, worth more than $1.04 billion. That’s more than 36 percent of the value of U.S. pork products sent worldwide.
A campaign currently funded by OSC and the soybean checkoff enhances retail pork sales in Japan with the use of sauce packets created by the USMEF in cooperation with Daisho, one of the major seasoning manufacturers in Japan. The small sauce packets are attached to special packages of U.S. pork, and highlight the high quality, taste and wholesomeness of the product.
The sauce campaign features popular menu items in Japan, such as shabu shabu and ginger pork, which can be prepared with the attached sauce packages. Cards featuring popular recipes are also made available to Japanese consumers.
*Story provided by the United States Meat Export Federation.
Ohio BioProducts Innovation Center
Plays Key Role in Ohio’s Agricultural and Industrial Future
by Mauricio Espinoza
Plant-derived industrial products play a key role in the United States’ plan to decrease dependence on foreign petroleum by boosting production and use of domestic energy and feedstock sources. And in Ohio – where agriculture and the chemical, plastic and rubber material sectors are king – an Ohio State University-based endeavor is on its way to changing the chemistry of the state’s economy.
As a result from a collaborative effort with the Ohio Soybean Council, Battelle and The Ohio State University (OSU); an $11.5 million grant from the state’s Third Frontier Project was awarded to OSU in 2005 to establish the Ohio BioProducts Innovation Center (OBIC). This new entity is linking agricultural technologies with chemical-conversion and advanced-materials technologies to create a high-quality, renewable supply of specialty industrial compounds such as plastics, paints and lubricants, as well as packaging materials.
“Our goal is to enable corporations across the state to access OBIC for development of bioproducts,” says Stephen Myers, OBIC director and assistant director of the university’s Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC). “We provide value to our industry partners by operating through a market-pull approach designed to link genetics, biotechnology, chemical conversion and product development. As a national leader in chemical manufacturing and with a strong agricultural industry,
Ohio is well positioned to succeed in the production of specialty products from biobased materials.”
To accomplish these goals, the center is bringing new technology to accelerate research in the areas of plant genetics, biomass processing and chemical conversion and is revamping the university’s soybean breeding program to look for traits and varieties targeted at industrial applications, which are also expected to benefit farmers in the near future.
the ohio bioProducts innovation center is linking agricultural technologies with chemical-conversion and advancedmaterials technologies to create a highquality, renewable supply of specialty industrial compounds such as plastics, paints and lubricants, as well as packaging materials.
OBIC recently broke ground for a feedstock processing facility on OARDC’s Wooster campus. OARDC is partnering with other OSU programs, such as the Center for Advanced Polymer and Composite Engineering, and working with OARDC’s Food and Agricultural Technology Commercialization and Economic Development Program (ATECH) to determine strategic fit and chances of success of proposed bioproducts.
“OBIC helps connect the dots,” says Denny Hall, special assistant to the dean of OSU’s College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “We are building relationships with our industry collaborators with the idea of identifying unmet needs. After that, our role is to bring other players into the project and facilitate teamwork to finally develop a product.”
In addition, OBIC recently unveiled its Renewable Packaging Initiative, aimed at developing commercial applications for biobased materials. Susan Stanton – who has over 20 years experience in technology development and product commercialization at corporations such as ALCOA, Ashland Chemical Company and Bayer, as well as at the Robert C. Byrd National Technology Transfer Center – was appointed as stakeholderin-residence for the initiative.
“The Renewable Packaging Initiative will accelerate Ohio’s position as a leader in bioproducts innovation,” Stanton says. “There are excellent opportunities to bring these technology innovations to the commercial marketplace as we work with companies to identify how renewable materials can help them meet their objectives for packaging systems.”
For more information about OBIC, log on to http://bioproducts.osu.edu
OARDC Breaks Ground for State-of-the-Art Feedstock Processing Research Facility
representatives of the ohio soybean council joined dr. bobby Moser, dean of osu’s college of food, Agriculture and environmental sciences, for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new oArdc feedstock research Processing facility. Pictured (L to r): kirk Merritt, osc director, international Marketing; tom fontana, osc director, new use development; dr. Moser; and John Lumpe, osc executive director.
by Mauricio Espinoza OARDC
The Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) has begun construction of a stateof-the-art Feedstock Processing Research Facility, which is expected to increase the quality of feeds for vital livestock and poultry research and aid in the development of renewable industrial products.
A groundbreaking ceremony held June 5 on OARDC’s Wooster campus marked the start of the $5.5 million project, which is scheduled for completion in 2008.
“The research done in this facility will contribute to the value-added economy of agriculture and bioproducts in Ohio,” says OARDC Associate Director David Benfield.
The new facility, which replaces the current Grain Storage and Feed Processing Facility built in 1965, will help develop and improve the nutritional value of feeds for Ohio State University’s internationally recognized livestock and poultry research programs. It will support the work of researchers in the Department of Animal Sciences, the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, and the Food Animal Health Research Program.
“In order to do good nutrition research, we need good quality control,” says Bill Weiss, OARDC animal sciences professor and leading livestock nutrition expert. “The new infrastructure and modern equipment will increase our ability to guarantee the quality of what we are feeding. It will also allow us to test new feed-processing methods.”
In addition to supporting food-animal research, the facility will play a key role in the processing of oils and proteins from field crops, especially soybeans, for innovative applications in biobased fuels, chemicals, polymers and materials – a research and commercialization area in which OARDC is taking the lead through its Ohio BioProducts Innovation Center (OBIC).
“An important area of research is the processing of biomass at a biorefinery to create multiple products such as specialty chemicals, advanced materials, biobased fuels and renewable energy,” says OBIC Director Stephen Myers. “The feedstock processing facility will have the capabilities to perform the initial stages of a biorefinery, such as grinding/ sizing, mixing/blending and extraction. Linked to other centers at OARDC and throughout Ohio, this facility will be integrated into a network of research scientists helping to champion an emerging bioeconomy in our state.”
Funding for the project was provided by the state of Ohio through capital funds and through the Third Frontier Project grant that created OBIC in 2005.
Jack Bardall, manager of the Grain Storage and Feed Processing Facility since its construction over four decades ago, says his operation has played an important role in the success of OARDC’s research endeavors over the years – and will continue to do so thanks to the new facility.
“Our ability to produce specialty feeds according to the exact specifications of researchers puts them in a good position to go out and get grants,” says Bardall, who is looking forward to managing the new facility. “We have made research feeds that have gone to countries all over the world.”
OhiO sOyBeAn COunCil and OhiO PORk PRODuCeRs work to Grow strong Communities
and given the chance to hear from the producer about the pork industry and its relationship with crop farms.
mby Jennifer Coleman
any people have negative perceptions of how animal agriculture affects communities. As a result, the Ohio Pork Producers Council (OPPC) and the Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) have partnered to develop Growing Strong Communities, a program designed to reach community leaders and inform them about modern pork production. But rather than just presenting them with information, they wanted to actually show them a working hog farm.
Growing Strong Communities had its inaugural event on June 30, 2006, at Rushwood Farms in Hardin and Logan counties. Local elected officials were invited to the farm where they were able to take a virtual tour of its operations
The program has continued into 2007 and has reached over 130 community leaders. Several attendees have acknowledged that their opinions changed from negative to positive as a direct result of this program and were impressed that the lunch and meeting were hosted so close to the hog barns without any undesirable odor.
Tom Klosterman hosted many of his community’s leaders in April at his farm in Auglaize and Allen counties.
“Growing Strong Communities is an important program because it improves the general public’s understanding of the pork industry,” Klosterman says. “The program gives elected officials who may have never been on a hog farm the opportunity to meet a farmer and better understand how modern operations are run.”
Besides seeing the operation for themselves and hearing from the producer,
attendees also have the opportunity to ask questions. One Auglaize County official asked Klosterman how he should respond to someone expressing concern when a hog barn is being built in the community. Klosterman replied, “Often the farmers live right next to their hog buildings, so they breathe the same air and drink the same water as the neighbors, so it’s in the farmer’s best interest to responsibly manage their operation.”
OSC supports this program because of the importance of animal agriculture to soybean farmers. Livestock consumes 94 percent of U.S. soybean meal. In Ohio alone, approximately 705,000 tons of soybean meal is used for this purpose. The livestock farmer and the soybean farmer are interdependent, and OSC seeks to help improve the image of animal agriculture in Ohio. Growing Strong Communities has already had a positive impact on this image by giving pork producers a chance to reach out to their neighbors.
tom klosterman, from Auglaize county, hosted local community members at the Growing strong communities event he held at his farm in April.
this view of the klosterman farm was included in a virtual tour of the farm.
YOU CAN DO THAT WITH SOYBEANS? Eight New Uses for Soy
Soy Foam Applications
Research on the inclusion of soybean oil in foam formulations has been a project that Ford Motor Company and the soybean checkoff have been working on for several years. Currently, it is experiencing great success with foams that have up to 40 percent soybean oil included in their polymer blends. Ford has tentatively scheduled the launch of soy foam in some of its 2009 model year automobile interiors. Another use for soy foam is furniture. Cargill has created a product known as BiOH in part with initial checkoff funding. BiOH will be used by companies such as Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company and Woodbridge Group, which will use the foam in upholstery, bedding and automotive applications.
All-Purpose Lubricants
Soy-based lubricants can protect metal parts for wear and tear and are an environmentally friendly product. The lubricants protect metals from corrosion, moisture and weather and provide thermal and oxidative stability. They also provide superior performance, which increases the life of engines and reduces the amount of maintenance needed for equipment using soy-based lubricants.
Solvents
Used in industrial cleaners, graffiti removers, paint strippers and more, soy-based solvents usually contain methyl soyate, which replaces harmful petrochemicals in many of these formulations. Soy-based solvents are extremely effective and are becoming more price competitive as the cost of petrochemicals continues to rise. National parks all across the country are starting to switch to soy-based solvents and other green products as part of a government effort to go green, when economically feasible.
Carpet Backing
Soy-based carpet backing uses polymers from soybean oil. BioCel, a product developed by Universal Textile Technologies with funding from the soybean checkoff, uses 10 to 14 percent soybean oil. BioCel is currently being used in areas that are considered “high traffic” such as schools, churches and hotels. It’s the ideal solution to carpet wear concerns, because it has a longer life cycle than traditional carpet, due to its ability to hold up to repeated cleanings.
When most people think of soybeans, they think about the plants in the field or the tiny tan bean. Seldom do people think of things like plastic, inks, carpet and insulation. Soybeans are a versatile crop with the capability of replacing chemical feedstocks, particularly petrochemicals, in many of the common materials we use on a daily basis.
Soybeans are crushed during processing to extract oil and meal. Oil is used most commonly in cooking, while meal goes mainly to animal feed. But that’s not all that can be done with these two ingredients. The soybean checkoff has been investing in research to develop new uses for soybeans for nearly 15 years.
Here’s a view of eight new uses for soybeans that have the highest market potential and were funded in part by the soybean checkoff.
Inks
Soy ink has been used in the marketplace for more than 16 years. Currently, 90 percent of the 1,500 daily newspapers in the United States use soy ink in their printing presses. Soybean oil is used to replace petroleum in the oil-based inks. Soy ink products are advancing as well: The Battelle Institute in Columbus is developing soy-based toners in a project being funded in part by the soybean checkoff.
Wood and Concrete Stains
Wood Adhesives
Products that seal, stain and coat both wood and concrete can be made from soybean oil. Traditionally stains and sealants are made with harsh petrochemicals, which are hard on the environment and have the potential, if spilled, to pollute soil and water. The soy-based products extend the life of many different substrates as well as provide environmentally friendly options for coating materials.
Advancements and research funded by the soybean checkoff have helped develop soy-based adhesives for use in applications such as finger-joints and plywood. These adhesives use soy flour in their formulations to replace animal blood and urea formaldehyde, a substance that is considered carcinogenic.
Spray Foam Insulation
Soy-based spray foam insulation is applied as a liquid and expands 100 times in size to seal surfaces and prevent air leaks. Soy foam insulation contributes to better air quality, doesn’t settle, doesn’t mold and is less expensive than traditional spray foam insulations. Soy foam insulation also has a higher R-value than traditional fiberglass insulation.
What’s New in Soy Products
Each year the soybean checkoff announces soy-based products that have been introduced to the market. In 2006, the following products were announced: Lubricants
- Naturelube 700 – soy-based lubricant for metal protection. Plastics
- BiOH Polyols – soy polyol for multiple plastic applications.
- Envirez – soy-based resin for small utility trailers.
- Envirez 1807 – thermoset plastics for vacuum bags.
- Envirez 5000 – thermoset sheet molding compound for tractor hoods and covers.
- Envirez 6934 – infusion resin for molded small parts.
- Green BMC – 100 percent soy resin for automotive molding.
- SoyMatrix – soy polyurethane for pultrusion applications.
- VIKOL 1 & 2 – polyols for polyurethane foams and coatings.
Coatings/Inks/Adhesives
- Agri-Color – soy-based colorant system for water-based paints.
- Agri-Solv – soy paint and glue stripper.
- Agri-Sperse – soy-based pigment for water-based and solvent coatings.
- Amaizeing – soy- and corn-oil-based solvent and stripper.
- Biorenewables Industrial Degreaser – soy-based parts cleaner.
- Biorenewables Waterless Hand Cleaner.
- EOS – soy oil for cleaning groundwater.
- Graffiti Remover SAC.
- Soy Verde – soy-based solvent.
- Tri-base Multipurpose Cleaner – soy-based parts cleaner.
by Candace Pollock
The Ohio State University
Growing demand for foodgrade and industrial-use soybean varieties has spurred an expansion of Ohio State University’s (OSU) soybean breeding program – a welcome boost in a highly competitive industry.
The program, part of OSU’s Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), has expanded its personnel and technology over the past four years, enabling researchers to increase the number of test plots, genetic crosses and varieties released.
“Right now is a nice time to be in soybean breeding,” says Steve St. Martin, an OARDC soybean breeder. “There has been no other time in my career that our breeding program has gotten so much attention and support.”
Through grant support from the Ohio Soybean Council and funding and marketing opportunities through OSU’s Ohio BioProducts Innovation Center, an organization that links university resources with industry, OARDC’s soybean breeding program has been able to keep the state’s soybean industry thriving with high performance, improved yield, disease-resistant field or food-grade varieties.
With the expansion, St. Martin says researchers have been using marker technology, through OARDC’s Molecular and Cellular Imaging Center (MCIC), to identify genes in a variety that exhibit specific characteristics.
“Marker technology is an easy way to identify those plants that carry the gene you want, whether it’s resistant to disease or low in saturated fat,” St. Martin says. “The technology helps you get those varieties developed faster. Using technology at MCIC, we can conduct two cycles of genetic crosses a year, instead of only one a year.”
Because of marker technology, the number of genetic crosses made in the breeding program has increased 48 percent in two years.
In addition to conducting breeding techniques like genetic crosses, the OARDC soybean breeding program also analyzes varieties tested in the field for performance, most notably yield increase and disease resistance.
“Growers are constantly looking for varieties that are resistant to diseases, such as Phytophthora, and those that yield well. No one wants to grow a variety if it’s low-yielding, no matter how much the industry wants it,” St. Martin says. “We are still the leader in the industry for Phytophthora-resistant varieties.”
In response to such production demands, the number of test plots in Ohio has increased 30 percent over the past four years.
The result of breeding efforts is the release of soybean varieties for research, consumer consumption and industry use.
OARDC has released 13 soybean varieties over the past five years. They include: food production varieties Ohio FG3, Ohio FG4, Ohio FG5, HS96-3136, and Wyandot; low linolenic acid variety HS98-3818; conventional varieties Dilworth, HS0-3243 and Dennison; and HF9667-2-4, HF9667-2-15, HF9665-215 and HF9670-3-10, varieties resistant to glyphosate that are high in protein.
Ohio is ranked seventh in the nation in soybean production with an annual value of over $1 billion. New varieties produced by the OARDC soybean breeding program and introduced to the market add additional value to the state’s agricultural economy.
A growing demand for food-grade and industrial-use soybean varieties has resulted in a dramatic expansion of osu’s soybean breeding program. steve st. Martin, pictured above, is an oArdc soybean breeder. he says there has not been any other time in his career when the soybean breeding program has gotten so much attention and support.
For example, Dilworth certified seed has contributed $150,000 to Ohio growers in its sales during 2004 and 2005, based on a $5 per bushel soybean price and a 1.5 bushel per acre advantage over the average conventional variety.
Soyfood production varieties Ohio FG4 and Ohio FG5 have been adopted by several growers and are benefiting those who produce soybeans for export to the Japanese tofu market. Additionally, OARDC research has revealed that Ohio FG5 is high in sucrose content, which has led at least one soyfood manufacturer to adopt the variety.
The 2005 release of HS0-3243 is being sold by five different Ohio seed companies. Dennison, released in 2006, is expected to replace the variety Kottman. Kottman, released in 1999, is a popular variety that contributed to 1,800 acres of seed production in 2005 alone and contributes about $300,000 per year to producers’ revenue.
The OARDC soybean breeding program has been in existence since 1977 and, since that time, has released 47 varieties.
soybeAn Photos courtesy of bob eLbert.
Ohio Farmers Provide Consumers with Heart-Healthy Oil Solutions
ohio farmers have answered the call for heart-healthy oil solutions from the food industry with the adoption of low-linolenic soybeans. When used in many frying and snack food processes, soybean oil is required to undergo hydrogenation. This process makes the soybean oil into a more stable, solid form that is required by many food manufacturers and restaurants. Unfortunately, this process also creates trans fats.
To counter this chemical change, the farmer leaders of the soybean checkoff, researchers and technology companies have worked together to develop soybean varieties with lower linolenic acid content. The reduction of linolenic acid reduces or eliminates the need to hydrogenate the oil, but still creates an end product that is stable enough for manufacturing and frying purposes.
“Low-linolenic beans are just one example of some of the value-added opportunities the checkoff has been working to keep Ohio soybean farmers informed about,” says John Motter, Ohio Soybean Council board member and Hancock County soybean farmer. “We try to encourage farmers to embrace new technologies and meet consumer demands, as this is an area where they can really see the return on their checkoff investments.”
Realizing the importance and the market potential for these value-added
beans, Ohio farmers have embraced low-linolenic soybeans, with industry experts expecting Ohio to account for more than 20 percent of the total lowlinolenic acreage across the country.
“We began contracting lowlinolenic acreage in Ohio in 2005,” says Jerry Harrington, Pioneer Hi-Bred International spokesman. “We started in Marion working in partnership with the Bunge processing facilities there and have steadily expanded our acreage since then.”
Pioneer isn’t the only technology company relying on Ohio farmers for low-linolenic acreage. Monsanto recently announced that it would be working in tandem with Mercer Landmark, Bunge and Cargill to contract for low-linolenic beans in Ohio as well.
“We started working with Ohio farmers last fall,” says Kurt Wickstrom, soybean traits marketing manager for Monsanto. “Ohio farmers have really embraced the Vistive low-linolenic variety, and we’re expecting to contract more than 300,000 acres in Ohio in just our first year with the program.”
What this means for Ohio soybean farmers is a more specialized market for their soybeans and a premium for their efforts. Monsanto, Pioneer and their partner processors are offering premiums for low-linolenic soybeans. Premiums range from 55 – 60 cents a bushel, depending on whether the beans are delivered at harvest time
or are kept in on-farm storage until called for.
“I’ve been growing low-linolenic beans for the past three years,” Motter says. “This year I’ve doubled my acreage and, because of the surge in acreage, I’ll be getting a higher premium this year. I chose to grow the low-linolenic beans because I know they represent the future of the soybean industry in terms of niche markets and new traits, so the premiums are an added bonus for me.”
Ohio farmers aren’t the only ones benefiting from these new soybean varieties. Consumers are now getting even more heart-healthy oil.
“Low-linolenic soybeans and the other food trait varieties we’re working on allow farmers to help food companies provide a healthier product to consumers,” Harrington says.
Wickstrom agrees: “Ohio soybean farmers are well-positioned to provide healthier oil options to the entire northeast. They have already begun to establish a significant market with low-linolenic soybeans, and, as new soybean traits are developed to meet consumer demands, Ohio farmers are going to be in the forefront of providing the soybean solutions to industry and consumer demands.”
Enhanced-quality traits don’t stop at just low-linolenic beans either. Both Monsanto and Pioneer are working on new varieties of soybeans that will help address the oil needs of the baking
industry, which utilizes 5-6 billion pounds annually.
“Ohio has great crushing facilities and our varieties really grow well there,” Harrington says. “As we develop new technologies and traits for oil, Ohio will continue to remain a key region for our products.”
“We’re continually working on new products for our customers,” Wickstrom says. “Monsanto has a pipeline of oils coming for consumers, including traits that will increase the oleic oil, which offers stability for the baking industry, and low-saturate soybeans, which will decrease the amount of saturated fats in the oil.”
The enhanced-quality traits offer Ohio soybean farmers a bright future.
“The industry has recognized the quality of soybeans being grown here in Ohio,” said Motter. “It’s something that Ohio farmers should be excited about because it means more opportunities for us. I intend to continue to evaluate the new options as they arrive, and I plan on encouraging my neighbors to do the same.”
For more information about lowlinolenic soybeans, contact your local elevator, processor or seed dealer.
*Story courtesy of the United Soybean Board/Soybean Checkoff.
Low-linolenic Processor and elevator Locations in ohio
Antwerp Equity Exchange Antwerp 419-258-8465
Auglaize Provico Wapakoneta 800-530-0745
Blanchard Valley Farmers Cooperative, Inc. Findlay 419-423-2611
Bunge Bellevue 800-472-2992
Bunge North America Cincinnati 800-582-1628
Bunge Marion 800-282-6708
Burtch Seed Co., Inc. Celina 419-363-3713
Central Ohio Farmers Co-op Marion 740-383-2158
Champaign Landmark, Inc. DeGraff 937-585-5871
Country Star Co-op New Washington 800-472-2597
Deerfield Farms Service, Inc. Deerfield 330-584-4715
Deshler Farmers Elevator Co. Custar 419-278-3015
Deshler Farmers Elevator Co. McClure 419-278-3015
Edon Farmers Co-op Edon 419-272-2121
Farmerís Commission Co, Arlington 419-365-5124
Farmers Elevator Grain & Supply Assn. New Bavaria 419-653-4132
Gerald Grain Center, Inc. Hamler 419-274-8030
Gerald Grain Center, Inc. Liberty Center 419-533-2321
The Farmers Commission Co. McCutchenville 419-981-2312
The Farmers Commission Co. Upper Sandusky 800-686-9278
The Jewell Grain Co. Jewell 419-497-2101
Town & Country Co-op Ashland 419-289-3742
Walton Agri-Service, Inc. Upper Sandusky 419-294-2337
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