Livestock production helps drive Ohio’s economic engine. To heighten awareness about the industry’s importance to the Buckeye State, several members of the Ohio Livestock Coalition (OLC) have launched a campaign that is very simply stated: “Ohio Needs Livestock & Poultry Producers.”
Ohio Soybean Council: 2005 Annual Research Report
Page 12
Volunteer farmer leaders for the Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) have spent a lot of time over the past year developing a strategic plan to assure the long-term viability of the Ohio soybean farmer. One strategic research priority that was approved was to improve traits in Ohio soybeans to maximize utilization. Soybeans with improved traits will not only increase the value of Ohio soybeans; they will bring greater return to the Ohio soybean farmer.
Australia and New Zealand: Bad Crop Year Made a Lasting Stumbling Block for Trade; U.S. Works on Recovery
Page 14
Before 2003, the United States had the Australia and New Zealand markets in the palm of its hands. But then the 2003 growing season came upon us. Summertime’s rainfall was scarce, temperatures were high and 2003 total yields were low. Global demand for soybeans was great, and the price of soybeans went through the roof.
Jump Start Your New Year: Soy is Healthy Choice
Page 16
New Year’s resolutions are often hard to keep. One statistic says most are broken within 48 hours (PsychCentral.net). And we all know which ones often make the top spots on many people’s resolution lists: Eat less, exercise more.
ABOUT THE COVER
Volunteer farmer leaders for the Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) have spent a lot of time over the past year developing a strategic plan to assure the long-term viability of the Ohio soybean farmer. That includes expanding research and investing checkoff dollars in projects that should provide a return in investments. Find out more on page 12.
BACKGROUND COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF BOB ELBERT.
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OUTLOOK
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Ohio Soybean Association
4625 Morse Road, Ste. 101 Columbus, Ohio 43230
614-476-3100
614-476-9576 fax 1-888-SoyOhio (769-6446)
Most of Us are Already Leaders
Everyone has it; however, few realize they possess it. Most of us see it, often not recognizing what we are seeing. When it is displayed, often it is delivered in unique forms and in surprising situations.
“It” refers to leadership. The dictionary definition of “capacity or ability to lead” does not explain leadership. Every one of us has observed leadership examples – by captains of sports teams, teachers, 4-H advisors or church leaders. These leaders impacted our lives. Most of us know leadership when we see it, but the definition of leadership is elusive.
Famous leaders in history abound –Washington, Lincoln, Gandhi and Martin Luther King. However, leaders we personally encounter are the ones who actually impact our lives. As mentioned earlier, this list might easily include 4-H advisors, teachers, teammates or church members. Our lives were influenced by their leadership.
These individuals are often not the polished orators usually associated with leadership. The rare oratory skills of John Kennedy truly distinguished his leadership style. Our personal leaders often influenced us with quiet, guiding encouragement. During my 4-H tenure, our club advisor allowed teenage members to develop and practice early leadership skills. During meetings, or more importantly afterwards, encouraging words were conveyed to foster early leadership development.
Lesson one – Leadership is often done privately and quietly.
We all have leadership skills and use them without realizing it. For example, the most overlooked venue for leadership is in our family. My father and mother were without a doubt leaders in my life. As a 50 plus adult, I often look back and wonder what they would advise. As parents, we do not realize we are current leaders of our family. As we raise our children, we try to instill in them a sense of morals, usually
morals gained from our parents. This is leadership.
Lesson two – Most of us are already leaders.
As I gathered my thoughts today I read John McCain’s book, Character is Destiny, about a few of history’s well known and lesser known leaders. One thread was common throughout these uplifting stories. John McCain emphasized the character of history’s leaders. These individuals stood, sometimes alone, for what they believed. They understood their message, their own moral fiber and their own ‘character’. I meshed these stories with my own observations. Different delivery methods were examined – sometimes leadership by example, sometimes intimidation, sometimes quietly without any outside observers. Different speaking skills evaluated. Differences were more apparent than the constants. However, during the analysis a new definition of leadership developed.
Lesson three – Leadership is knowing one’s own true values and having the passion to follow those values.
Everyone has tools to be a leader. Please, identify your personal leaders and compare them to my definition; you might gain some insight into what motivates them to leadership. And most importantly, do not be afraid of undertaking leadership – you are already a leader.
Robinson W. Joslin Ohio Soybean Association Chairman Shelby County Soybean Farmer
President
Jeff Sollars, Fayette County
Chairman
Rob Joslin, Shelby County
Vice President Membership
Mark Watkins, Hardin County
Vice President Programs
Joe Sheaffer, Wyandot County Secretary
Sam Shuey, Clark County
Treasurer
Jeff Wuebker, Darke County Trustees
Bill Agle, Clark County
Brett Davis, Delaware County
Dave Dotterer, Wayne County
Mike Heffelfinger, Van Wert County
Kevin Homan, Henry County
Ed Lamalie, Sandusky County
Lyle McKanna, Putnam County
Clark Myers, Mahoning County
Dale Shawk, Crawford 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.
Katy Poth, Ohio Department of Agriculture
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....Art Director
Gary Usovsky....Art Director
Kelly Mescher....Staff Writer
David Larson....Sales Director
The Ohio Soybean Review is published four times a year by the Ohio Soybean Association in partnership with the Iowa Soybean Association. For address corrections contact the Ohio Soybean Review 4554 NW 114th Street
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Mercer County Young Farmer Gains Experience From Leadership Program
by Jamie Mossbarger
Asixth generation farmer, partowner of a family business and a community activist, the plate for a Mercer County farm boy can hardly get any fuller. But Luke VanTilburg has found time for one more activity, one he hopes to gain experience from to use on the farm.
VanTilburg, a resident of Celina, was selected by the Ohio Soybean Association (OSA) to participate in the 2006 DuPont Young Leader program, a leadership program administered by the American Soybean Association and sponsored by Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont.
“The DuPont Young Leader Program was implemented in 1984 and is designed to train future leaders in the soybean industry,” says OSA President Jeff Sollars. “A goal for the program is to give participants the building blocks they need to pursue leadership roles within the soybean and agricultural industry.”
A 1998 high school graduate, VanTilburg went on to receive an extensive education from the Lake Campus of Wright State University, and has since returned to the family farm where he is putting his education to work. He has an associate’s degree in financial management, a bachelor’s of science in organizational leadership and an MBA in general management studies.
“My non-stop education proves that I am always looking to learn,” says
VanTilburg. “It’s how I plan on staying ahead of the competition.”
Applying his financial management abilities, VanTilburg serves primarily as the controller, book-keeper and payroll supervisor, something that occupies a lot of his time with 25 employees. Couple this with other day-to-day activities, and he rarely sees any down-time.
“VanTilburg Farms is a family run operation, but it is more than working with family,” says VanTilburg. “I have to have the ability to work well with others and my education background is very useful.”
VanTilburg Farms began as just a grain operation with Luke’s parent’s, Jim and Brenda VanTilburg, being the main proprietors until the late 1970s when they added the ag retail portion of the business. Since then, all three sons have returned to the farm and the once grainonly operation has developed into a wide variety of businesses.
The VanTilburg family business consists of an independent ag retail center, crop insurance, a ditching and excavation service, grain elevator operation and management of a small fleet of semi trucks.
“My parents along with my brothers and I are the owners of the business,” says VanTilburg. “I started working on the farm since I have been old enough to walk.”
Even with the business expansion, the VanTilburgs still find time to farm 3,800 acres of corn and soybeans on a
Time is of the essence for Luke VanTilburg, Ohio’s 2006 Dupont Young Leader. He is not only part owner of the family business and farming operation, but also plays an active role in the community by serving as a member of the Republican party central committee and on the executive committee for the area Chamber of Commerce.
50/50 rotation, all while utilizing the latest technologies. Consistent implementation of on farm test plots using global positioning system enabled equipment and yield monitors ensures high quality results.
The Dupont Young Leader program provides VanTilburg the opportunity to participate in two phases. He completed phase I in conjunction with the 2006 Commodity Classic, and will travel to Des Moines, Iowa in December for the completion of phase II.
“I think it is a good motivational, leadership program,” says VanTilburg. “The neatest thing is networking with other growers in the corn belt and learning from them and sharing ideas.”
Soybean Checkoff-Funded Products Open New Doors
Year after year, the soybean checkoff has helped build new demand for U.S. soybeans through new uses – and last year was no different. A recorded total of 81.8 million bushels were utilized in soy-based products in 2005, which was an increase of 12.6 million bushels from 2004.
From soy-based plastics used in tractors to transformer fluids made from soybean oil, the soybean checkoff continues to partner with manufacturers to introduce new markets for soybean farmers. In fact, 19 new soy-based products were commercialized in 2005.
According to the United Soybean Board (USB), a record forecast of 90 million bushels of soybeans will be used for industrial products this year,
and soybean farmers will benefit as a major stakeholder.
“The soybean checkoff is committed to working with industry to develop new uses,” says Dale Profit, Ohio Soybean Council New Uses Committee Chairman and Van Wert County soybean farmer. “We know we can’t do it alone, but we can certainly show some of the biggest manufacturers how soy-based technology can benefit them.”
Among the variety of new products introduced this year is an innovative soybased resin system that is being used in a variety of applications. Ashland Specialty Chemical Company’s ENVIREZ soybased resin is used in making soft and rigid plastics.
Other companies have stepped to the forefront of engineered soy-based products. Cooper Power Systems and Cargill Industrial Oils and Lubricants
More than 10 electric co-ops around the country have started using Envirotemp FR3 Fluid a soy-based transformer fluid, allowing soybean oil to help power rural communities and farms.
created Envirotemp FR3 Fluid, an electric power transformer fluid. And, BioSpan Technologies developed two unique specialty products: Activate, a methyl soyate asphalt activator and REPLAY, a methyl soyate pavement restorer.
“I am excited to think about where soybean checkoff-funded technology will take us in the future,” says Profit. “With soybean farmers working with industry partners to build new markets, we can build new markets for our soybeans while increasing the demand for our product, all through our soybean checkoff.”
Additional soy-based technology includes:
• Agrol by BioBased Technologies (flexible and rigid foam applications)
• Soyol by Urethane Soy Systems Company – a chemical in plastic formulations that creates soft and rigid plastic foams.
• Soygreen 5000 by Soy Technologies (parts cleaner concentrate)
• Soygreen 6000 by Soy Technologies (adhesive remover)
• Soy Stop by Soy Technologies (graffiti-remover)
• Environmental Liquid Membrane System - Natural Metal Jacket by Green Products Inc. (metal coating)
OSC and Battelle…Working Together
The Ohio Soybean Council has a long standing relationship with Battelle, a world renowned research and development entity based in Columbus. Through checkoff funded projects, OSC and Battelle work together everyday to increase the utility of soybean derived components in new applications, thus increasing the acreage under soybean cultivation.
YOUR FARM YOUR FUTURE YOUR FUEL
If every farmer filled up with B2, a two-percent blend of soy biodiesel, we could utilize over 50 million bushels of U.S. soybeans per year. Ask your fuel supplier to start carrying B2, and then use it in all your diesel engines. They’re your soybeans. Put them to work for you.
Ohio Soybean CHECKOFF,
Major Contributor to Animal Agriculture Campaign
Livestock production helps drive Ohio’s economic engine. To heighten awareness about the industry’s importance to the Buckeye State, several members of the Ohio Livestock Coalition (OLC) have launched a campaign that is very simply stated: “Ohio Needs Livestock & Poultry Producers.”
OLC has initiated the public education campaign, thanks to the generous support of the Ohio Soybean Council and other farm and commodity organizations that belong to the Coalition. The informational campaign will consist of a series of ads placed in targeted publications and on billboards throughout Ohio. The ads will illustrate the connection between farmers and the tax revenue they help generate, which totals more than $229 million annually.
The significance of the livestock and poultry industry to Ohio’s economy and its future overall cannot be overstated. While the contributions of many industries to Ohio’s economy are well publicized, it’s time to recognize what Ohio’s livestock and poultry farmers bring to our dinner tables, as well as our wallets, every day.
On an annual basis, Ohio’s livestock and poultry industry pours more than $8 billion into the state’s economy. The contributions are realized on the employment side, too, as more than 47,000 jobs in Ohio are dependent upon livestock and poultry production – either on the farm or in processing.
Here in Ohio, the dairy and beef cattle sector account for the highest level of revenues and employment, with poultry also representing a significant part of Ohio’s agricultural economy. Layers, turkeys and broilers are the top customer of soybean meal and corn, taking in some 335,000 tons of soybean meal every year while accounting for 35 percent of the corn utilized for livestock and poultry feed.
On an overall basis, dairy and beef cattle, poultry, swine and sheep consume 94 percent of soybean meal and 60 percent of corn. Thus, the importance of livestock and poultry production should not be taken for granted by Ohio’s grain farmers.
The contributions of the livestock and poultry industry are not always evident, because the overall production process tends to be overlooked as the dollars that farmers generate by their labor do not start and end on their farms. The entire production process, which extends to the communities where the people who work for the industry live and raise their families, is also part of the billion-dollar equation.
and conserve precious natural resources. Livestock and poultry farmers live and work on this earth, too, and realize that it’s too important for the sake of the current generation and for generations to come.
Additionally, this is one case where size really doesn’t matter as Ohio needs all sizes of farms, big as well as small and medium to support its livestock and poultry industry, as well as corn and soybean farmers. What matters most is that producers of all commodities practice the basic rules of good farm management – play by the rules and be a good neighbor.
We’re confident that the laws currently on the books are more than adequate to protect Ohio’s environment. Ohio’s
The future of Ohio’s economy likely rests on the growth and vitality of the industry’s ability to open new markets for corn and soybean meal, which benefits both livestock and poultry producers and grain farmers. One of the best ways to add value to corn and soybean meal is to utilize it as a primary feed source for domestic livestock production, and then export meat and poultry. This is why foreign trade, particularly meat and poultry exports, is critically important to the agricultural economy and grain farmers. For example, a 1 percent increase in beef and pork exports sends more than two million additional bushels of corn and soybeans overseas.
Ohio Ag Leaders
Participate in Lt. Governor’s
Business Development Trip to China
by Jamie Mossbarger
Agriculture was a primary focus for a recent business development trip to China conducted by Ohio Lt. Governor Bruce Johnson. Among the participants were agriculture representatives from the Ohio Soybean Council, including Van Wert County soybean farmer Dale Profit. Others included Ohio Department of Agriculture and Ohio Corn Marketing Program representatives.
For soybeans in particular, China is the number one export customer of U.S. soybeans, spending over $2 million in 2004. And China is certainly an important market for other commodities and business industries in both the U.S. and Ohio.
Because of this, the recent business development trip was an opportunity for both Lt. Governor Johnson and participants to learn more about the China market and to seek out possible business opportunities for both agriculture commodities and Ohio businesses.
“We were not there to sell anything, we were there to observe and gain
knowledge and develop relationships,” says Profit. “Knowledge building, observation and establishing relationships is absolutely, positively very important.”
Throughout the nine-day trip, participants covered a lot of ground and met many Chinese business officials. The group arrived in Beijing, where time was spent on a guided tour of the Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and the Great Wall.
Business activities in Beijing included attending a business briefing from Chinese financial experts and the First Secretary from the Macroeconomic and Financial Policy Unit of the U.S. Embassy in Beijing.
A presentation by the China Council for Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) gave the group an overview and highlights of a recent report on Chinese outbound investment.
“The young generation is where the opportunity lies,” says Profit. “They were full of questions and always wanting to learn about how we do things in the U.S.”
In Wuhan, discussions with the Hubei Agricultural Bureau took place, as well as a visit to the Wuhan Kailong Agriculture Company and Hubei Provincial Nucleus Pig Farm.
As director of the Ohio Department of Development, Lt. Governor Johnson also visited the Wuhan Iron and Steel Company, the Wuhan Donghu Hi-Tech Development Zone and the Dongfeng Automobile Inc.
The trip concluded in Shanghai, where the group met in a roundtable discussion with representatives and business executives of Ohio companies in Shanghai to learn about their experiences in China.
“One of the biggest things the U.S. needs is to find a way that we can make things here that add value to sell to China – essentially exporting a value added product,” says Profit. “Of course, they need to be open to it, but I think that is the direction we need to head in.”
OSU Researcher
Gives Recommendations on Soybean Variety Selection
Most soybean varieties have genetic yield potentials well over 100 bushels per acre. A variety’s adaptability to the environment and production system where it will be used sets the yield potential of the production system. The quality of the weather during the growing season and the stresses from weeds, diseases and insects determine what the crop yield will be.
A variety’s performance in a previously conducted yield trial is a measure of its performance in that particular environment and production system and does not assure satisfactory performance under a different set of conditions. When a group of varieties is tested for yield over a range of environments, their rank order commonly changes, indicating that some varieties are better adapted to a specific environment than others.
Therefore, it is best to select varieties with characteristics that will help them perform well in the cultural system and environment to be used rather than on their yield record alone.
For example, if excessive growth and lodging are problems, then select varieties that are medium to short in height with good stability. For fields where there is reduced vegetative growth, select later maturing varieties that grow tall.
If the field has a history of Phytophthora, select a variety with a resistance gene, plus a high partial resistance rating to address that problem. The selection of medium or small seed when using a grain drill will improve metering and stand uniformity. Maturity information should be used to select varieties that mature at different times to allow for timely harvest and high test weights. Fitting the variety to the environment is superior to selecting a variety and hoping the environment and weather will fit.
Ohio Soybean Performance Trials Help with Selection Process
There are over 600 different soybean varieties marketed to Ohio soybean farmers, of which almost 200 are entered
by Dr. Jim Beuerlein, The Ohio State University
“It is best to select varieties with characteristics that will help them perform well in the cultural system and environment to be used rather than on their yield record alone.”
Dr. Jim Beuerlein, The
Ohio State University.
into the Ohio Soybean Performance Trials by various seed companies. Most seed companies enter their “top-of-theline” varieties, but some enter none.
Selecting a variety that was entered in this trial almost guarantees a producer that his selection is in the top third of all varieties available. If he selects a variety from the trial that yielded better than the average, he is guaranteed to have one of the best varieties available.
The Ohio Soybean Performance Trials provides an unbiased evaluation of variety characteristics and performance to facilitate the selection of varieties appropriate for particular production sites and systems. Field trials are conducted at six locations representing the diverse production regions of Ohio, and several laboratory evaluations are conducted at the Ohio Agriculture Research and Development Center in Wooster, Ohio.
Data is collected on yield, lodging, relative maturity, seed size, plant height, oil and protein content, and resistance to Phytophthora root rot. The data is published each December in the Ohio’s Country Journal, is available, free of charge, from county Extension offices and can be found on the Internet at http://www.agcrops.osu.edu
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE UNITED SOYBEAN BOARD/SOYBEAN CHECKOFF
$ INVESTING CHECKOFF
Ohio Soybean Council 2005 Annual Research Report
Volunteer farmer leaders for the Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) have spent a lot of time over the past year developing a strategic plan to assure the long-term viability of the Ohio soybean farmer. One strategic research priority that was approved was to improve traits in Ohio soybeans to maximize utilization. Soybeans with improved traits will not only increase the value of Ohio soybeans; they will bring greater return to the Ohio soybean farmer.
This past year, OSC actively supported establishing the Ohio BioProducts Innovation Center, a new joint state governmentuniversity-industry research effort to expand research, development and commercialization of needed new bio-products. This effort will combine the university’s soybean breeding, bioengineering efforts to produce new soybean lines and industry’s efforts to develop new bio-product markets. This new innovative center will provide for an aggressive, economic development strategy to better focus research and development activities at creating new, high-value, bio-products that benefit all involved; the industry, research community, consumers and soybean growers.
Most persons do not stop to realize that soybeans have value due to their composition and that soybean farmer profits are determined by both the value of the soybeans per bushel and yield per acre. OSC is funding production research that targets both improving soybean compositional traits and increasing soybean yield. This approach has several obvious advantages in helping OSC achieve their mission of investing checkoff funds to maximize the profit opportunities for Ohio soybean farmers.
In 2005, OSC supported activities seeking targeted changes in soybean composition and field research studies designed to protect these new soybean lines from existing disease that would reduce soybean yields and profits. The research studies concentrated efforts on developing greater genetic resistance to Ohio’s major soybean diseases: Phytophthora root rot, sudden death syndrome and Sclerotinia white mold. Funding was also provided for basic
studies designed to understand the mechanism of disease resistance, and research on a new soybean disease that threatens Ohio soybean growing areas – Asian soybean rust. These checkoff-studies have a common objective of developing information that can be helpful in formulating management recommendations that soybean farmers can use in minimizing disease losses. A detailed description of OSC funded research projects can be found in the sidebar.
OSC also participates in regional research projects designed to obtain practical information on soybean production problems that are common to the North Central states. Participating in the North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP) efforts allows the Council to participate with other states in funding multistate research projects that target disease, insect, nematode and plant stresses common to the North Central states. The advantages to Ohio farmers are: 1) expanding the scope of the research; 2) access to researchers with expertise to solve production problems; and 3) leveraging of Ohio’s research investment. Regional research results are quickly translated into management recommendations. A listing of the research projects in this two million dollar regional research program is listed in the side bar.
Not only does the Ohio farmer benefit from the regional research program, NCSRP benefits from participation of researchers from The Ohio State University. Ohio researchers are involved in most of the regional projects and are providing leadership to some of the projects. This close working relationship between researchers involved in regional projects is a win-win for soybean farmers.
In summary, the checkoff is working for the Ohio soybean farmer. Aggressively funding state and regional research programs will result in answers to soybean production problems. The bottom-line is that Ohio’s efforts to develop new value-added soybean lines, new and expanded use of soybeans and better management of soybean disease threats mean greater profits for Ohio soybean farmers.
Ohio Soybean Council Funded Projects
Identifying, mapping and screening for resistance to Ohio’s major soybean diseases; Anne Dorrance (Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University)
The intent of this research effort is to support the Ohio Soybean Council’s goal to improve the traits in Ohio soybeans that maximize soybean utilization by reducing economic disease losses in value-added soybean lines. The project’s specific objectives are to: 1) evaluate germplasm for the Ohio Bio-Products Innovation Center for resistance to Phytophthora sojae, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Fusarium solani f.sp. glycines (fungal pathogens responsible for Phytophthora root rot, Sclerotinia white mold and sudden death syndrome); 2) identify DNA markers more tightly linked to Rps8; 3) map additional P. sojae resistance genes in Korean soybean lines; and 4) complete evaluation of sudden death syndrome disease management strategies in Ohio. These studies are expanding the genetic resistance to fungal diseases of soybeans.
Defining key genes for soybean pathogen resistance by gene silencing; Terrance Graham and Steve St. Martin (Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, The Ohio State University)
The research team is using new gene silencing techniques to evaluate a series of soybean genes that may provide partial resistance to fungal and bacterial soybean diseases. This new project expands Ohio State’s efforts to develop broad disease resistance that is more stable against the emergence of new pathogen races. Understanding the mechanism of how disease resistant genes function allows researchers to develop new approaches to the control of soybean diseases.
Response to Asian Soybean Rust in Ohio; Anne Dorrance (Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University)
This project was approved to establish 48 sentinel soybean plots for early detection of soybean rust if the disease invades Ohio. The project also involves testing of commercial fungicides on control fungal diseases and maintaining yields in soybeans. The results of the fungicide studies and germplasm screening studies are incorporated into Extension’s recommendations for managing this new potential soybean disease.
North Central Soybean Research Program
Effective application of fungicides to control Asian soybean rust in Ohio; Erdal Ozkan (Department Food, Agriculture and Biological Engineering, The Ohio State University)
This study is developing practical recommendations for applying approved fungicides for the control of Asian soybean rust. The project is investigating application variables to improve the effectiveness of fungicides in reducing soybean yield losses due to soybean rust.
The Ohio Soybean Council is also investing $100,000 in the North Central Soybean Research Program that complements the Ohio State University’s soybean research program.
The North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP) is a multi-state research initiative established by state checkoff organizations from the North Central Region. The mission of the NCSRP is to maximize producer returns by coordinating research efforts and by minimizing duplication. By combining state resources, the NCSRP has developed an aggressive program that funds multi-state research projects targeted at priority production research projects. Listed below are the projects that were funded in 2005-2006:
◆ Strategies for controlling soybean virus diseases in the North Central States
◆ Limiting soybean yield losses to Phytophthora sojae in the North Central
◆ Managing frogeye leaf spot and charcoal rot in the North Central Region
◆ The application of new technologies to control sudden death syndrome
◆ Evaluation of advanced soybean lines for resistance to Sclerotinia white mold
◆ Fungicide management for Asian soybean rust
◆ Sentinel plots to monitor spread of Asian soybean rust in North Central Region.
◆ A rapid test for resistance-breaking populations of soybean cyst nematode
◆ A standardized resistance evaluation protocol for soybean cyst nematode
◆ Management of soybean aphid in the North Central States
◆ Biological control of the soybean aphid
◆ Elevating seed protein content in the North Central USA soybean-growing states
◆ Plant Health Initiative to provide up-to-date information on soybean production topics
The NCSRP research program is designed to provide practical information on a wide variety of projects that impact soybean production. Results are communicated to soybean farmer through state Extension programs, management seminars, fact sheets, the farm press and the Plant Heath Web site (http.www.planthealth.info/).
Australia and New Zealand
Bad Crop Year Made a Lasting Stumbling Block for Trade; U.S. Works on Recovery
by Kelly Mescher
Before 2003, the United States had the Australia and New Zealand markets in the palm of its hands. But then the 2003 growing season came upon us. Summertime’s rainfall was scarce, temperatures were high and 2003 total yields were low. Global demand for soybeans was great, and the price of soybeans went through the roof.
“Our prices got so high that for the first time Australia and New Zealand started buying from Brazil, and they haven’t shifted back to buying as much from us again,” says John Baize, consultant to the soybean industry.
Our crop shortage opened the doors for Australia and New Zealand’s importation of beans from South America, agrees Glen Heitritter, corporate director of marketing for Ag Processing Inc (AGP).
“That’s what happens when we run out of beans,” Heitritter adds.
AGP – one of the largest soybean meal exporters in the U.S. – has been doing business with Australia and New Zealand for nearly 20 years. They’ve been a “great customer,” Heitritter says. But what was once a nearly 100 percent market share for the United States is now about 20 percent for Australia and about 75 to 80 percent for New Zealand.
“It’s very important to maintain those relationships,” Heitritter continues. “They’re still very, very important
customers of ours. We’ll keep pursuing it to get the volume back.”
Australia and New Zealand’s major use of soybean meal is for their poultry industry. Australia’s poultry industry alone consumes approximately 700,000 tons of soybean meal per year, Baize says.
But despite the United States’ short crop in 2003, U.S. farmers have been ending on a positive note lately.
“With two record crops in a row, that’s going to make us more competitive in the world as far as price,” Heitritter says. “And now’s the time of the year when South America’s crop has been planted and is in the growing season, so everybody will be watching as far as their growing season is concerned.”
For more information about AGP, visit www.agp.co m . To learn more about checkoff investments in international trade, visit http://www. asasoya.org/Offices/map.htm
Customers Down Under
Terry O’Connor is a corporate general manager at ABB Grain Ltd in Australia, and says ABB is one of the largest traders in the world for malting and feed barley. ABB also has feed and flour milling customers globally.
Mark Fitzgerald is general manager of procurement and milling at Tegel Foods Ltd – the leading poultry producer in New Zealand. Fitzgerald says Tegel uses approximately 40,000 to 50,000 metric tons of non-GMO soybean meal per year for their poultry production and other animal feed products. Tegel owns its own feedmills, hatcheries, growing farms and processing facilities.
They export poultry mainly to Pacific Islands located in their region, and have premium export markets in the wider Asian Pacific area, Fitzgerald says. New Zealand’s people consume an average of 39.5 kilograms of chicken per year (the U.S. consumes 50 kilograms per year on average).
O’Connor and Fitzgerald were both in the U.S. recently to visit AGP’s terminal at the Port of Grays Harbor, AGP’s head office and two processing facilities. ABB sells non-GMO soybean meal exclusively to Tegel.
To learn more about ABB Grain Ltd or Tegel Foods Ltd, visit www.abb.com.au or www.tegel.co.nz, respectively.
Australia and New Zealand
Meal Markets – and Why They’re So Important…
Australia and New Zealand import mostly soybean meal – not much whole beans. In 2004/05, they imported about 20,000 MT of soybeans, says John Baize, consultant to the soybean industry. The meal markets are incredibly important to both foreign and domestic companies.
“Farmers need to know that processors [are important]. We’ve got people like AGP – they export a fair amount of meal,” Baize says. “If they don’t export that meal, they can’t run their plants like they normally did. We have some processors sitting on the Mississippi and the Ohio [Rivers] that are really dependent on exports. And if they don’t have exports, they’re going to close. It’s important to our processors.
“We’re not a very large exporter of soybean meal compared to Brazil and Argentina,” Baize continues. “We need all the market we can get from meal.”
There are a couple factors in the United States’ favor though, says Glen Heitritter, corporate director of marketing for Ag Processing Inc.
Number one: speed.
“The delivery time is quicker out of the Port of Grays than it is out of Brazil. Probably about one week to ten days quicker,” Heitritter says.
Number two: quality.
“They like the quality that comes from the United States – as in quality of the soybean meal and quality as far as IP potential,” Heitritter continues.
And that’s important for two countries that are extremely quality conscious. Australia, in particular, uses a quarantine inspection service, enforcing the zero tolerance for any grain contamination, Hetritter says. (Tegel and AGP also have an identity preserved program in place to manage and secure the non-GMO requirements specific to Tegel, Fitzgerald adds).
But the cards are stacked in the United States’ deck when compared to Brazil on quality issues. However, farmers aren’t the only ones always eyeing their bottom line.
“When the price is right, they will buy from Brazil,” Baize says. “You can’t blame ‘em.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC
CHECKOFF DOLLARS
Jump Start Your New Year
Soy is Healthy Choice
by Kelly Mescher
New Year’s resolutions are often hard to keep. One statistic says most are broken within 48 hours (PsychCentral.net).
And we all know which ones often make the top spots on many people’s resolution lists: Eat less, exercise more.
That may be easier said than done. But there are a few things that have been proven to help people lose weight, says Dr. Barbara Klein, co-director for the Illinois Center for Soyfoods and professor emeritus of food science and human nutrition at the University of Illinois.
“Foods that have low glycemic indexes like soy protein and other high
protein foods, in general, will help to curb the feeling you get when your blood sugar drops,” Klein says. “From that standpoint, soy is a good addition to your diet.”
On the contrary, foods containing a high amount of sugar have “a high glycemic index…it means that your insulin level will go up very rapidly, and that has an effect in bringing more sugar into the blood, which will be stored as extra fat.”
A fellow colleague at the University of Illinois, Dr. Donald Layman, professor of nutrition, has found that when people dieting “eat a little more protein, that helps [them] lose weight, because they
don’t lose as much muscle mass. And they do have the feeling of fullness longer, and therefore they don’t crave more food,” Klein says.
Though researchers agree that soy does not have miraculous weight-loss qualities when compared to other forms of protein, “LDL cholesterol levels should be lower after consuming soy than when compared to other protein sources, and that is healthy from a chronic disease standpoint,” says Dr. John Erdman, professor of food science and human nutrition at the University of Illinois.
But soy has many other health benefits as well.
Dr. D. Lee Alekel, associate professor of nutrition at Iowa State University, says “soy is a really good food to include as part of a healthy diet. Although we don’t have definite studies indicating that soy will make us live longer, still, we know that soy as a part of a healthy diet is probably involved in reducing the risk for a number of diseases.”
With the NIH support, Alekel is currently studying whether or not soy isoflavones might help prevent osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease risk in postmenopausal women. Previously, she had examined whether soy protein might relieve menopausal symptoms (hot flashes).
Klein and Dr. Soo Yeun Lee are doing research on soy flavor, and studying cereal products made from soybean extrusion through checkoff dollar support. “Taste is one of the primary deterrents to the use of soy by the average person. What we’re looking at is how to improve the flavor by understanding how the proteins and flavor complements interact,” Klein says.
Increase Protein, Move More
Losing weight is often one of Americans’ top New Year’s resolutions. How can their goals be achieved?
“I think that the answer is that people should be thinking about what they eat from a health standpoint as well as a taste standpoint,” says Dr. Barbara Klein, co-director for the Illinois Center for Soyfoods and professor emeritus of food science and human nutrition at the University of Illinois.
According to studies done by Dr. Donald Layman, eating more protein can help you feel more satisfied and less likely to snack throughout the day, thereby reducing caloric intake.
“We can certainly offer them some suggestions and ways to use a very valuable protein in their diets, and soy is that protein,” Klein says. “Unlike a lot of other plant proteins, it comes in a huge number of different forms.
“If you’re eating beans, you’re cooking beans or refried beans or beans in soup. If you’re using soy protein, you can use anything from a dairy-like product to a dessert that’s high in protein. The variety of ingredients that are made from with
soy far surpasses anything [else] made with protein,” Klein says.
To complete a healthy diet –add exercise.
“The bottom line is that people are consuming too much and not expending energy enough – the imbalance of energy in and energy out is the problem,” says Dr. John Erdman, professor of food science and human nutrition and nutrition research chair for the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Illinois.
“Include a serving or two of soyfoods, such as soy milk, soy cheese, soy yogurt, maybe try some of the flavored tofus, and try some of the recipes in our new cookbook,” Klein says. “[The cookbooks] both use a variety of easily available soy products.”
The cookbooks produced by the Illinois Center for Soy Foods are part of their Soy in the American Kitchen Series; titled Soy for the Last Minute Chef and Around the World with Soy They can be purchased at http://www. soyfoodsillinois.uiuc.edu or by calling (217) 244-1707.
• Soy protein produces a significant reduction on total blood cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (“bad” cholesterol), and triglycerides without altering high density lipoprotein (“good” cholesterol).
• Soy protein with isolflavones has been found to have strong antioxidant potential – that is, it protects cells from damage.
• Soy protein may offer protection against bone loss, osteoporosis and risk of bone fracture.
• Soy protein offers a “complete” protein profile, containing all eight essential amino acids.
Source: The Soyfoods Council, www.thesoyfoodscouncil.com
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OSU Researchers Work to Develop Varieties Accommodating to OBIC
by Candace Pollock, The Ohio State University
The Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center’s (OARDC)
Soybean Breeding Program is at the center of a new endeavor –the Ohio BioProducts Innovation Center (OBIC).
A uniquae center, created by The Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences through an $11.5 million Third Frontier Grant, OBIC aims to bring together two of Ohio’s strongest industries: chemical and agriculture. The Ohio Soybean Council and Battelle serve as major collaborators of OBIC.
“Soybean breeding was one of the major emphases put into the grant proposal,” says Steve St. Martin, an OARDC soybean breeder. “We are expanding our program to accommodate more breeding for traits that people might be interested in for making bio-products.”
OARDC’s soybean breeding program will play an important part through OBIC’s “cell-to-sell” management approach, which will help turn Ohio’s soybeans into high-value industrial bio-products – giving an added boost to industries which, combined, already generate $130 billion a year.
“OBIC’s ‘cell-to-sell’ management plan links Ohio’s research and commercial partners to focus academic research on market-based problems identified by business partners, which will ultimately lead to the commercialization of
high-value industrial bio-products and manufacturing solutions using Ohio crops,” says Stephen Myers, director of OBIC. “Combining development of unique germplasms with novel chemical-synthesis technologies, oils, carbohydrates and proteins will be utilized to develop specialty chemicals targeted for use in a range of bioproduct applications.”
Breeders are targeting Ohio soybeans for such industrial products as plastics, lubricants, adhesives, and resins, and they are finding that what works as an industrial product also works in the realm of human health.
“A variety with low saturated fat also helps give you a better ‘pour’ point for lubricants. That is, it keeps the oil from congealing,” says St. Martin. “Additionally, reducing the linolenic acid of certain varieties also makes for a more stable industrial oil.”
High-yield, disease-resistant and high-quality soybean varieties developed by OARDC scientists already generate $191 million in Ohio economic output, create $67 million in income for Ohioans and support 4,030 jobs, according to a recent study of OARDC’s economic impact conducted by Battelle.
OBIC, which will have operations on both the Columbus and Wooster campuses of The Ohio State University, will help take these breeding efforts to the next level.
The reasons for switching to soy biodiesel are stacking up. It’s the fuel made from U.S. soybeans, so it reduces our dependence on foreign oil. And a federal and state tax incentive makes biodiesel even more affordable. Renewable soy biodiesel reduces emissions and increases fuel lubricity. So choose the fuel that’s good for our country, your engine and the environment. Choose soy biodiesel. Pump it and watch our prosperity grow.
DISEASES WON’T TELL YOU WHERE THEY’RE HI D ING.
That’s why you need Quadris® fungicide. Even in fields with just light disease infestation, studies show it can boost yield by an average of 5 to 6 bushels per acre. Just one application of broad-spectrum Quadris means a healthier bottom line. It’s simple. Take diseases out of your field and take in more yield and quality at harvest.
