CONTENTS TABLE OF
1
0 Planting to win: Pro tips on excelling in the field this spring
2 Safe and (cyber) secure: Ag isn’t immune to cybercrimes
4 Stellar Stelter: Wautoma farmer reflects on presidency
2
0 Why I Farm: Doug Rebout’s farm roots run strong
4 Getting going: WSA joins ag groups to support biofuels, ARIP
8 Seeing is believing: WSMB looks at biofuels opportunities, challenges
3
2 Strength in soybean research: WSMB approves 2025 research projects
5 WSMB launches program to blast soy-based firefighting foam across WI
4
0 UW-Madison student wins Soy in Textile Design Challenge
2 Between the Rows: USDA unveils ECAP details
About the Cover
With Doug Rebout (middle) at the helm, the Wisconsin Soybean Association continues making moves in 2025. First-generation farmer Matt Rehberg (left) is serving as vice president, Dave Coggins (not pictured) was elected treasurer and Daniel Linse remains WSA secretary. Photo by John Cross
Read more about Rebout’s operation and WSA’s policy goals starting on page 20.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board members from across the state represent the voices of Wisconsin soybean growers to advocate for government policies and support research that helps improve the profitability of soybean farmers.
Doug
Doug serves as president on WSA’s officer team, representing District 3. He raises soybeans, corn and wheat in Janesville alongside his brothers and nephews.
Matt serves as WSA vice president and represents District 3. A first-generation farmer, he raises soybeans, corn and wheat on his operation in Darien.
Dave is a recently retired banker with a lifetime of experience in both agricultural and commercial lending. He joined the WSA board in 2023 as an industry representative. Serving District 3, Dave was elected WSA treasurer in 2025.
Sara is WSA’s District 2 director and served as president from 2023-25. She operates a diverse farming operation that includes soybeans, corn, peas, green beans and cattle in Wautoma.
Daniel represents District 1 and serves as WSA secretary. He grows a mix of soybeans and corn with his father on his farm in Mondovi. Along with crops, the Linses also raise turkeys.
Tanner Don Steve
Steve is a past WSA president who currently represents District 1. He farms primarily soybeans and corn in the central Wisconsin area near Amherst.
Tanner is a first-generation farmer from Prairie Farm. He is an at-large director for WSA and serves on the American Soybean Association (ASA) Executive Committee. Tanner is also a 2017 graduate of ASA’s Young Leader Program.
Don farms in the Central Sands region in Scandinavia, where he grows soybeans and corn with his brother and nephew. He is an at-large director for WSA and serves on ASA’s board.
Daniel
Sara Stelter
Linse Johnson Lutz
Rebout
Matt Rehberg Trzebiatowski
Dave Coggins
EDITORIAL STAFF
WSA Executive Director Adam Kask akask@wisoybean.org (608) 274-7522
Sr. Director of Integrated Marketing Doug Monson doug@agmgmtsolutions.com
Art Director Alex Troska atroska@agmgmtsolutions.com
Managing Editor Drew Lyon drew@agmgmtsolutions.com
Layout Editor Katelyn Engquist kengquist@agmgmtsolutions.com
Dr. Conley is a professor of agronomy and the soybean and small grains specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Shawn is WSA’s representative on the board for the University of Wisconsin’s College of Agricultural & Life Sciences.
Katie was elected in 2024 as an industry director for WSA. She is the district sales manager for Legacy Seeds and resides in De Pere, representing District 4.
WSA STAFF ADVERTISING
Sales Manager Erin Rossow erossow@agmgmtsolutions.com (507)-902-9191
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Advertisements within this publication contain the opinions and information of the advertisers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of the Wisconsin Soybean Program or affiliated groups.
Jake farms in Mineral Point and serves as a WSA at-large director. He graduated from ASA’s Young Leader Program in 2023 and participated in the program’s third phase in Washington, D.C.
Danny grows soybeans and corn near Columbus with his three uncles. He completed ASA’s Young Leader Program in 2024 an is an-large WSA director. Danny also works as a crop insurance agent, is involved in Astico Perseverance 4-H club and is a soil health advocate.
Brad is a WSA at-large director and recent graduate of ASA’s Young Leader Program. He farms in Columbus on a family dairy operation. In addition to cattle, Brad raises soybeans, corn, alfalfa and sorghum.
Adam is the executive director of both WSA and the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board. A U.S. Army veteran, Adam has years of experience working in farm policy, market development and agronomy.
Katie Jake Danny Dr. Shawn
Brad Adam Kaczor Steffes Brisky Conley
Sennhenn Kask
Doug Rebout
President’s Foreword
I would first like to thank everyone for electing me to serve as president of your organization! We have a talented board of farmer leaders at the Wisconsin Soybean Association (WSA), and I’m excited to lead this group as we promote farmfriendly policies in Madison and Washington, D.C. I especially want to credit my predecessor, Sara Stelter, for two years of sterling leadership. Sara moved WSA forward; by any measure, her presidency was a huge success. With support from my fellow members and directors, including Sara, we’ll continue working on initiatives that will have positive impacts on our industry.
Our challenges in agriculture are mighty – from advocating against tariffs to looking toward the future with sustainable aviation fuel – but it’s important to keep everything in perspective.
For those who don’t know me, I have a daughter with special needs. I was honored to participate in a panel at the recent Wisconsin Corn•Soy Expo alongside mental health experts. The discussion led me to think about the big picture.
As I watch the discourse in our country, I am reminded of when my daughter, Natalia, was attending middle school in Janesville. She was in mostly special needs classes and didn’t really feel like she fit in many other places. My wife, Christine, and I met with some of her teachers and asked if she could help with after-school sports or clubs. We were grateful when the girls swim coach said she could assist as a student manager.
After the first practice, the coach asked me if Natalia could swim with the girls at their next practice. I was hesitant, but said, yes, she could. The coach then said that Natalia would practice with them and then also swim in the meets with the team. Again, I was hesitant, but Coach Wilson said it would be good for her. When it came time for the first meet, Chris and I were there, scared of the unknown but also proud that Natalia was on a team. When it came time for her first race, she stood with a floatie around her waist and got in the pool, ready to go. It was the 50-meter freestyle, so they had to go to the end and back. The gun went off and she leaped into the pool. Chris and I were in tears, partly as proud and scared parents but mostly because, as Natalia swam, her teammates lined the side of the pool, cheering her on. She got to the first end where she was supposed to turn around, but she stopped and tried high-fiving the girls, but they urged her to continue and kept yelling until she hit the finish line. Natalia got out of the pool and was surrounded by the rest of the team congratulating her. She did not win her race, but with the smile on her face you would have thought that she won the Olympic gold medal.
I share this because if a group of middle school students can support someone who may think, talk and act differently than them, shouldn’t we as farmers encourage each other more?
As the newest president of WSA, it’s my honor to work alongside this great group of advocates to promote policies that build bridges (literally and figuratively) toward a better tomorrow for our economy, neighbors and our families.
Doug Rebout President, WSA
DRAWING A CROWD: HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2025 WI CORN•SOY EXPO
The 2025 Wisconsin Corn•Soy Expo offered tangible content for all members of Wisconsin’s ag community: Weather and market updates; cyber security tips; myriad networking spaces; conversations around mental health; and some much-needed chuckles courtesy of a national comedian.
For outgoing Corn•Soy Expo Committee Member Sara Stelter, the popular Beer & Bull Session hosted by the state’s leading ag researchers is always a draw. The agronomyminded crowd spilled into the hallway at the Kalahari Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells.
“That session with our checkoff-supported researchers is always well attended, and that was the case again this year,” said Stelter, who was joined on the committee by Wisconsin Soybean Association (WSA) colleagues Doug Rebout and Tanner Johnson.
Despite an early morning ice storm on Day One, attendance remained strong at the annual ag conference and trade show, drawing more than 1,200 attendees.
“The trade show was packed both days, especially on Thursday,” Stelter said. “We heard a lot of positive comments from our exhibitors about the high level of traffic on the floor.”
Stelter said the partnership between WSA and event cohosts Wisconsin Corn Growers Association and Wisconsin Pork Association, which includes regular meetings throughout the year, has strengthened in recent years. Committee members rotate every three years, helping to bring in fresh ideas.
“We’re at the point with the show now where we’re really fine-tuning it,” she said. “Everyone has input and we’re doing things a little bit better than we’ve done in the past. It just seems like we’ve got a real good committee that’s determining speakers.”
Contact WSA Executive Director Adam Kask at akask@agmgmtsolutions.com for feedback or questions. For sponsorship questions, contact Erin Rossow at erossow@agmgmtsolutions.com
“There’s always room for improvement,” Stelter said, “and we welcome comments.”
Save the date: The 2026 Wisconsin Corn•Soy Expo returns Jan. 29-30 to the Kalahari Conference Center. See you then!
Photos by John Cross
PLANTING TO WIN
Pro tips on excelling in the field this spring
By Mark Askelson
The hometown Brewers are starting their 2025 campaign, which means it’s about time to bring those tractors out of the bullpen, don the uniform and head back into the field.
Farmers and agronomists will soon be reporting to duty for spring planting. But what will it take for Wisconsin producers to have a winning season? A little luck from Mother Nature for a smooth start, coaching from experts in the field and some ol’ fashioned small ball may be the difference maker in 2025.
GET OFF TO A FAST START
A key component to winning in any competition is not falling behind early. In the world of soybeans that means getting your crop in as early as possible, which of course relies heavily on favorable weather conditions. Depending on your crop insurance replant date, Dr. Shawn Conley, state soybean and small grains specialist with the University of WisconsinMadison, says if your ground is fit and ready, don’t hesitate on getting your beans in the ground.
“We’ve seen that really sets farmers up for success and it doesn’t cost you anything by planting early,” Conley said. “You can lose half a stand and still have 99% yield potential on soybeans, but the opportunity to increase bushels is there too if conditions align.”
With the lack of snow over the winter and the early spring warm-up, all signs at press time in late March point toward a fast start, according to west-central Wisconsin farmer Justin Bauer.
An early planting date can go both ways, though.
“Us farmers always like a dry spring because it makes life a little easier, but on the flip side, without having any snow we are in an abnormally dry drought,” said Bauer, who also represents District 2 on the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board. “We know that can change quickly, but if there’s a time to be in a drought, it’s the spring.”
INVEST IN GOOD PLAYERS
Trade tariffs and market uncertainty means producers should turn their focus toward getting their money’s worth by making wise investments, such as genetics, fertility, weed control and disease management.
Of those key areas, Conley notes that investing in good genetics should top every grower’s lineup card.
“Select a good, high-yielding variety. That’s not an area where you want to skimp out on,” said Conley. “Invest that extra $7-10 an acre on highyielding genetics.”
Conley adds that producers can see on average anywhere from a 15-17% bushel yield difference between high-yielding genetics and lowyielding genetics.
After recent years with waterhemp issues throughout Wisconsin, producers may want to invest in a good residual herbicide to help with weed control but also focus on making timely applications and not applying when it’s not needed.
“At the Corn•Soy Expo this year, Rodrigo Werle had mentioned that we might be able to take out our residual on our second pass,” Bauer said, “so we might try that to save some dollars in that area.”
PLAYING SMALL BALL
With crop prices down about 40% in the past two years and crop input prices remaining high, 2025 may prove to be a year where it may be difficult to hit a high profitability. Economic conditions aren’t conducive to taking chances with unproven, miracle inputs or, well, producers might strike out. Conley encourages producers to stick to playing small ball – reaching the bases through sheer hustle instead of trying to smack home runs.
“This is not a year to swing for the fences,” said Conley. “Singles and bunts are going to pay off most for you this year.”
Conley recommends sitting down with an ag lender and having a conversation about what you need to do to be successful while playing some “moneyball” this season.
“My beans are priced at this, this is what my operating loan is and I have this much to spend on inputs…now what should I be prioritizing?” Conley said.
And with spring planting approaching, Bauer is hoping to stay ahead of the count, keep his eye on the ball and avoid the curve.
Even in a down market, the pieces are still in place for growers to win the soybean pennant come harvest.
“We’re just hoping to get everything planted timely, get some rain when we need it and stay optimistic for a good summer,” Bauer said.
May 24 is Wisconsin’s 23-year historic average date for soybean 50% planting progress.
FBI INTELLIGENCE ANALYST OUTLINES ONLINE RISKS TO AGRICULTURE
By Drew Lyon
Farmers would be naive to believe they’re immune from the dark, tangled, multibillion-dollar webs of cyber hackers and ransomware. These days, if you’re online –and aren’t we all? – you’re in danger of being hacked.
“We don’t think they can get into our world, but they can,” said Andy Bensend, a director with the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board (WSMB). “These guys are sophisticated.”
Bensend was riveted by a cybercrimes presentation at the 2024 Commodity Classic and suggested to WSMB Executive Director Adam Kask that a similar workshop be held at the 2025 Wisconsin Corn•Soy Expo. As a steward of checkoff dollars, Bensend said he wants his industry colleagues to be aware of the potential dangers lurking in our email boxes, passwords and computer networks.
“I think all the time about the funds we put away in the checkoff, and how would we feel if we woke up someday and $5 million is gone?” he said.
In the year 2025, everyone is at risk, FBI intelligence analyst Thomas Gathman explained to attendees during his presentation on cyber threats in agriculture. In just the past few years, costs from overall cybercrimes have skyrocketed, damaging the U.S. economy by an estimated $452 billion in 2024. Modern hackers, in contrast to the stereotype of a hooded loner sipping on a beverage and sitting in a dark basement, now represent large, organized, international operations. Some even have human resources departments.
“It really resembles a pyramid,” Gathman said. “This is big money. This is big loss.”
“What (farmers) do is super important in this country, and (cyber attacks) threaten our way of life,” says Thomas Gathman of the FBI.
PHISHING EXPEDITIONS
Many can relate to receiving an unusual email from a friend or colleague asking to purchase a gift card. It seems legit at first, but also a little suspicious upon close inspection. In 2023, business email compromise totaled at least $12.5 billion in damages.
“The biggest advice with this is if your ‘spidey sense’ is tingling a little bit, just pay attention to it,” Gathman said. “Just remember to not become complacent.”
Agencies across the federal government, including the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, are tasked with protecting the public and upholding infrastructure; along with the Department of Defense, the FBI and DHS are also monitoring foreign efforts (usually from organizations based in China or Russia) to attack American cybersecurity. The state of Wisconsin also supports efforts to combat terrorism, topped by the Madison-based Wisconsin Statewide Intelligence Center (WISC), where citizens can report cyber incidents and suspicious activities.
“We have a very good state cyber security program in Wisconsin,” Gathman said. “It’s actually one of the best in the country, which is really amazing.”
For agriculture, the financial and security risks are significant. The food and agriculture industries reported 75 ransomware (a form of malware that essentially holds computer files, systems or networks hostage unless a ransom is paid) attacks in 2023 – more than communication or transportations industries. In recent years, more than a dozen meat processing plants across the U.S. faced ransomware attacks, including JBS’ Green Bay facility.
“Agriculture is not immune,” Gathman said. “The bottom line is that cyber actors continue to evolve.”
The FBI recommends against paying ransomware, for several reasons: Criminals will feel emboldened, the ransom fee funds their operations and payment doesn’t protect against future attacks.
“It’s potentially illegal, depending on whether the entity being paid is sanctioned by the United States government or not,” Gathman said. “But we understand it’s typically a business decision.”
PASSWORD PROTECTION
Gathman offered several tips on protecting passwords -- “everyone’s favorite topic,” he said. Guidance on passwords is always evolving, he said, because humans often resort to patterns, making passwords vulnerable to malware.
First, Gathman said, a password’s length (along with changing passwords often) is more effective against cyberattacks than complexity. Secondly, store passwords in browsers, not desktops; and never use the “remember me” option. Multi-factor authentication and password managers are also effective tools, along with keeping software updated.
“I’m a big proponent of (password managers),” he said. “Those simplify this process and they’re a lot harder to get into than your browser or your desktop.”
In today’s hyper-digital climate, Gathman also offered a surprisingly old-school manner of storing passwords.
“Honestly, I think the safest way to store passwords is to write down in a notebook that nobody has physical access to,” he said. “I know all the guidance has been, ‘Don’t write down your passwords,’ but the reality is if they’re not digital, unless somebody has physical access to that book, they’re not going to get that.”
While following cyber security basics should offer protection to most producers and agribusinesses, Bensend said the hour-long presentation offered valuable tips and warnings on an issue that likely is here to stay.
“It’s a warning across the bow that we should be diligent,” he said.
By Sydney Harris
When Sara Stelter took the Wisconsin Soybean Association (WSA) reins in early 2023, she rolled up her sleeves and got to work.
“I was in a good position to lead the organization,” Stelter recalled. “I had experience within the organization and felt compelled to step up to the plate.”
During her tenure, Stelter focused on robust involvement, whether that be director, legislative or community involvement. As a grassroots, farmer-led, membership organization, WSA’s work to ensure that sound policies are in place to enhance the future of soybean farming remained Stelter’s top priority.
“Over the last few years, we’ve become much more involved as a board in the legislative process,” Stelter said. “We made the opportunity to talk with legislators more available to all board members, which was a huge success.”
And when multiple voices come together as one collective voice, the echo resounds and has a greater chance of making an impact.
“Getting the board more involved has been extremely important and making that option available to all board members was near and dear to my heart,” Stelter said. “It needed to get done so that we could all have greater input with our legislators in terms of getting our information out there.”
Those one-on-one conversations between WSA directors and legislative offices cultivated a strong working relationship, putting WSA in position to give Wisconsin soybean growers a voice at the legislative table. WSA used that voice to play a critical role in helping to pass the Agricultural Roads Improvement Program (ARIP), legislation that has exceeded expectations.
“In terms of success during my presidency, supporting the ARIP at the state level was certainly one of many,” Stelter said. “Our state’s farmers need quality roads and infrastructure, and these grants will provide rural Wisconsin with safer infrastructure to get products to markets.”
VALUABLE ASSET
Though Wisconsin soybean checkoff dollars cannot be used for lobbying, WSA works closely with the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board, using checkoff-supported research to inform policymakers and agency leaders about matters that are important to producers. Promoting SoyFoam
TF1122, a firefighting agent developed by Cross Plains Solutions devoid of cancer-causing PFAS chemicals, is one of the many ways the two organizations work hand in hand and was a highlight of Stelter’s presidency.
“Making sure that SoyFoam is on the DNR’s Quality Products List has also been kind of a pet project for me,” said Stelter, who also represents Wisconsin on the United Soybean Board, which directs the nation’s soy checkoff. “This will make it more available to local fire departments. It’s such a win-win situation that to not have it on that list just seems kind of silly, especially as the state is moving towards getting rid of PFAS.”
Stelter is also proud to have helped spearhead the focus of WSA by looking at its mission and how to achieve the goals of the organization. This has been done through the establishment of committees that are looking at increasing advocacy, expanding membership and making sure WSA is using its finances in a way that best enhances the organization’s goals. Through this focus, a Political Action Committee (PAC) for Wisconsin soybeans was established.
“We’re asking our legislators for support on various issues and it’s good to be able to show them our support,” Stelter said. “We need to be able to show our support in various ways, both monetary and non-monetary, if they are supportive of our farming needs.”
Though Stelter has stepped down from her presidency, she isn’t done advocating for soybean growers in Madison and Washington, D.C. The board will continue relying on her expertise and steady hand.
“Sara is an asset to our organization,” WSA Executive Director Adam Kask said. “She did an outstanding job of leading the organization and we are grateful that she will remain on WSA’s board, offering her expertise and guidance as we continue advocating for sound policies at the Capitol.”
Stelter’s presidency wouldn’t have been the success it was without WSA’s supportive board, and its cohesiveness will propel the organization moving forward.
“I have been very privileged to have a great board during both years that I was president,” Stelter said. “Every board member is serious about representing Wisconsin farmers on all levels and advocating for Wisconsin soybeans. It doesn’t just fall on one person or just the executive committee. Every member on the board has a strong commitment to representing the board and the direction it’s going.”
Past WSA president grateful for opportunity
A Day in the Life Miss Izzy
machine drops down to a purr, but not like a cat purrs. Cats are wimps. When the purring stops, I pounce into action, bolting out of the window, past the barn and out to see the big cow dogs. At least that’s what Sara calls them, cows.They might be bigger than me, but I’m faster, louder and tougher. Sometimes I hear Sara yell to me.
things out loud. She says she has to practice, but I think she sounds perfect.
I’m her special gal, and she’s mine.
Izzy is a proud border collie who helps oversee Sara Stelter’s farm in Wautoma.
Scan the QR code to watch Izzy in action.
Izzy sizes ‘em up.
Sara Stelter’s four-legged companion, Izzy, is always on the lookout.
HILL OF BEANS
WI farmers make the rounds in D.C.
By Drew Lyon
Trade wars. Shipbuilding snafus. Extending tax cuts. Biofuels. A new Farm Bill. Protecting the farm economy. Defending sound science.
Where’s a farm advocate to even start? The Wisconsin Soybean Association (WSA) had its hands full deciding which pressing policies to prioritize during a spring visit to Washington, D.C.
Don Lutz, who sits on the American Soybean Association, chose all of the above, though he focused on defending seed oils when discussing concerns around the recently created Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission. Although members of Congress were back in the districts during an unplanned recess, WSA advocates articulated their message in meetings with congressional staffers.
“Every issue we discussed is very important to Wisconsin agriculture,” said Lutz, who farms in Scandinavia, “but I felt it was necessary to push back on junk science about seed oils.”
Lutz was joined by a team of advocates, including ASA Executive Committee member Tanner Johnson, WSA President Doug Rebout, Vice President Matt Rehberg, Director Danny Brisky and Executive Director Adam Kask. In addition, WSA welcomed special guests, including Jacob and Joyce Kaderly, winners of ASA’s 2024 Conservation Legacy Awards, and Wisconsin farmer Andy Bensend, a past recipient and member of the selection committee.
“It was such a unique experience to be on the Hill with (WSA) and learn how they work on behalf of our farmers,” Joyce Kaderly said. “We’re very glad we were able to join them.”
For Lutz, visiting Capitol Hill alongside Bensend brought back memories. Bensend was also able to share with legislative staffers his shipping expertise from sitting on the Soy Transportation Coalition.
“Andy was one of the first people I did Hill Visits with,” Lutz said. “He’s very knowledgeable.”
ON THE MOVE
Wisconsin farmers produce about $1.3 billion of soybeans each year; most of the state’s soybean crop is exported to markets in China, Canada and Mexico. In the 2023/24 marketing year, U.S. exporters shipped nearly $24 billion worth of soybeans (46.1 million metric tons) to international markets. China remains far and away the largest importer of U.S. soy, and growers are concerned an escalated and prolonged trade war could have longlasting effects. During the 2018-19 trade war, U.S. ag absorbed $27 billion in damages; soybeans accounted for 71% of those annualized losses.
With more tariff threats on the horizon, growers were anxious for clarity and a swift resolution.
“The longer this goes on, the more uncertainty it creates and the greater the damage we’ll see to the farm economy,” Rebout said.
In March, a new trade policy roadblock emerged when the U.S. Trade Representative proposed remedies to increasing reliance on foreign shipbuilders in international trade by requiring U.S. exporters to use a merchant maritime fleet that consists of at least 5% U.S.-built vessels and 15% U.S.-flagged vessels after seven years.
Enacting taxes or fees on most of the maritime fleet would bring unintended consequences by increasing costs to U.S. farmers, further damaging a farm economy that suffered a nearly 50% drop in crop prices since 2022.
Lutz is hopeful the transportation and trade issues, along with an overdue Farm Bill, will be rectified when WSA returns for ASA’s summer Hill Visits in mid-July.
“Some of these issues are going to end up being resolved fairly quickly when they finally hit the table, but at this point, nobody knows where the tariffs and everything else are going to end up,” Lutz said. “We just always need to be there and make sure if something’s not going our way, to see if we can’t convince them otherwise.”
WISHH leverages partnerships for U.S. Soy to help meet the protein needs of 8 billion consumers
By Kelsey Barchenger
For as long as he can remember, there’s been a soothing sound that echoes off the walls of his Janesville, Wisconsin barn, carrying through each strand of hay that tickles the whiskers of his bellowing livestock.
“My daily routine involves coming down in the morning about 6:30 and me and one of my brothers hop in the tractor and feed all the animals,” Doug Rebout, Wisconsin Soybean Association (WSA) president and Janesville farmer recalled, walking through his barn as all eyes turned to him.
From the rhythmic chime of his alarm clock to the welcoming ‘moo’ of his steers and heifers, Rebout will be the first to tell you that his office isn’t like most.
“As I give tours to people, I ask them what they see out their office windows,” he said. “They tell me other buildings. Out here, my office window is always something different whether I’m in a tractor, a truck or
working with animals it’s always something different. I get to work with nature.”
As he weaves between the squeaky stalls of his ‘office,’ he often reflects on who walked the same path before him.
“My mom (Mary Joan) and dad (Roger) bought this farm five years before I was born,” he said. “They bought it in 1963. I was born in 1968, and they started off milking 40 cows with 240 acres.”
But being born and raised on the farm didn’t mean his farming future was set in stone.
“My dad actually encouraged us to work off the farm,” he said. “Once we got old enough, he wanted us to go out, work off the farm and do other things and make sure farming was what we wanted to do.”
He spent the next few years working on cars at the local Farm & Fleet, when another opportunity sparked his interest.
“A guy I knew asked me to come work on his farm,” Rebout said. “I did that for a couple months until I realized, you know what, I do like farming and if I’m going to do it, I’m going to do it on my own farm instead of working for someone else.”
All he had to do was plant that seed; he’s since been able to watch it grow on his own farm.
“On our farm it’s me and two brothers. I also have two nephews that work on the farm and my mom still does the day-to-day bookwork,” he said.
FAMILY TRADITIONS
On top of livestock, the Rebouts also do plenty of fieldwork, growing soybeans, corn, winter wheat, rye and alfalfa.
“That’s what I love about farming: Each day is different,” he said. “Depending on what we’re doing my daughter with special needs comes and spends time with me, especially if I’m in the semi she comes and rides with me and that is some of my best times, just having her ride with me and being able to laugh and joke with her.”
No matter what the day brings, there’s one thing at the root of all that keeps Rebout tied to the land.
“That is the main reason I do this is because of the family and knowing that we have future generations that are going to keep this farm going,” he said.
With pride, he wakes up each morning walking in the footsteps of his late father, who, before his death in 2013, let Doug pave his very own path back to the farm.
“He would be very proud because that was his goal to build this farm for us to keep it going,” he said. “He would be right there telling us that and telling everyone else how proud he is of us.”
GO PACK GO!
A lifelong Green Bay Packers fan, Rebout bleeds green and gold.
“Of course,” he said. “Is there any other team?”
Rebout follows his favorite team’s activities throughout the year. He even jokingly sent out a mock “executive order” during his first week as WSA president directing staff and board members to wear Packers’ gear during all WSA meetings, much to the chagrin of some WSA personnel who pledge allegiance to the – gasp! – Minnesota Vikings.
“I just grew up with the Packers,” he said. “That was our Sunday afternoon, either watching on TV or listening in the tractor.”
Rebout tries to attend a game every few years but typically listens to games on the radio, given he’s busy working in his own field for most of the football season. He’s also ecstatic that his favorite Packer, Sterling Sharpe, will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame later this summer.
“It’s about time,” he said.
Like his outlook on farming, Rebout holds hope at the start of every Packers season and is loyal to his team, win or lose.
“I always have optimism that they’re going to be good,” he said, “and once the playoffs start, anything can happen.”
To get a closer look at Rebout’s operation and passion for farming, scan the QR code.
PRIMED TO LEAD
Doug
Rebout’s experience sets him up to succeed as WSA president
By Drew Lyon
The Wisconsin Soybean Association (WSA) continues moving forward, following the organization electing stalwart advocate Doug Rebout to serve as its latest president.
The election took place during WSA’s annual meeting in February 2025 during the Wisconsin Corn•Soy Expo. Rebout, a Rock County producer, said he’s excited to take the mantle and keep advancing WSA by promoting policies that benefit the state’s 16,000 soybean farmers.
“I’m proud to be elected, because as an organization, there are so many positive things we can do in today’s political climate,” said Rebout, who was also reelected to serve a second term as WSA’s District 3 director. “Both at the state and federal level, we can continue to be a good voice and a reliable source when legislators have questions.”
Rebout replaces Sara Stelter, who stepped down after two eventful years guiding WSA’s policy efforts in Madison.
“Sara did a fantastic job as president. She has brought our organization to new places,” Rebout said. “I’m humbled to step into her role.”
Stelter, who will remain WSA’s District 2 director, said she’s satisfied with the strides WSA made during her tenure, including strengthening connections with state and national legislators; advocating for diversifying markets; and WSA and the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board’s joint efforts in promoting SoyFoam.
“WSA is in great hands with a strong advocate like
Doug. We have an awesome board and some leaders who have really stepped up,” Stelter said. “They’ll have new ideas, which is what we need.”
‘THE RIGHT PATH’
Rebout grows soybeans and a variety of crops, along with raising custom heifers near Janesville with his brothers Daniel and David and nephews. He’s also chair of the Wisconsin’s Board of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and has served on Gov. Tony Evers’ Task Force on Climate Change.
With deep ties to Wisconsin’s agriculture community, including serving as Rock County Farm Bureau president and hosting his county’s first dairy breakfast nearly 50 years ago, Rebout’s WSA presidency will mark his second stint leading a state commodity board: Prior to joining WSA’s board in 2022, Rebout served three years (2018-2021) as president of the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association.
While the crops might be different, the mindset and policy priorities are mostly the same.
“I’m still saying the same things: promoting sustainability and trade, advocating for a new Farm Bill and biofuels,” Rebout said. “I’m glad to be able to continue advocating for our industry.”
Rebout will be supported on the officer team by a strong team of advocates: Vice President Matt Rehberg, Treasurer Dave Coggins and Secretary Daniel Linse.
“I’m excited for the opportunity because we’re still sort of rebranding as an organization,” said Rehberg, who farms in Darien and has served six years on WSA. “It seemed like a natural flow for me to try a new challenge, and I’m happy an experienced financial professional like Dave is coming onboard as treasurer.”
With Wisconsin’s 2025 legislative session entering a new phase after Gov. Evers released his budget proposal, WSA approved its 2025 legislative agenda during the annual meeting. Through a grassroots process that encourages input from all active members, WSA approved 2025 resolutions, including policies related to:
• Transportation infrastructure
• Conservation
• Crop protection
• Biofuels
• Trade policy
• Animal agriculture
• Improving market access
• Protecting the soybean checkoff
Adam Kask, WSA executive director, said Rebout’s lengthy experience in ag leadership made him ready to represent WSA on Day One.
“It’s so gratifying to work with this board and work with them as they lead and grow. Sara set a really high standard, and Doug is going to continue that momentum,” Kask said” Executive Director Adam Kask said. “Certainly, there are a lot of challenges facing our industry but we’re fortunate to have a very active board that’s eager to do their part in improving the farm economy for our producers.”
Rebout’s first six weeks as president proved his mettle. Rebout participated in state and national hill visits; hosted a Madison TV station on his farm and spoke out about how tariffs can damage farm profitability; visited with Wisconsin Public Radio; and attended an event with state Sen. Brad Pfaff – all while prepping for spring planting.
“A successful year to me will mean achieving our policy goals while also expanding our outreach to organizations and businesses and our members and getting more involvement from non-board members when we’re not out advocating,” Rebout said. “We have some roadblocks ahead of us, but also lots of opportunities. My job is to keep us on the right path.”
WHAT’S AHEAD
Rebout, WSA directors and its lobbying team will continue promoting WSA’s policy priorities as Wisconsin lawmakers craft a bipartisan budget amid a $4 billion budget surplus. In late March, WSA participated in the Ag Coalition’s Day at the Capitol. Rebout also hopes to host legislators on his Janesville farm during the 2025 growing season and represent WSA at events throughout the state.
Doug Rebout is a longtime rural mental health advocate.
A RIGHT-HERE
WSA JOINS FORCES IN MADISON TO SUPPORT BIOFUELS, ARIP
By Mark Askelson
The Wisconsin Soybean Association (WSA) embarked on a historic, significant and impactful event during the 2025-26 legislative session. For the first time, WSA joined forces with the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association (WCGA) and Wisconsin Biofuels Association (WBFA) in late February in Madison with one common goal: supporting farmers through expanding the state’s underdeveloped biofuels industry.
“It’s the first time these three organizations have worked together,” said Doug Rebout, WSA president, “but they’re three organizations that really belong together because they all want to support Wisconsin farmers and the Wisconsin economy.”
The group of around 30 farmer leaders and biofuels industry representatives teamed up and spanned all four wings and floors of the Capitol building, encouraging support of several polices, including:
• Infrastructure grant program for biofuels fueling facilities
• Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production tax credit
• Consumer incentives for both ethanol, biodiesel and the Agricultural Road Improvement Program (ARIP).
Thirty-seven of Wisconsin’s 132 state legislators (nearly 30%) are new to their offices, and only a few report having agricultural backgrounds. Thus, the Hill Visits provided a unique opportunity for farmer leaders, like former WSA President Sara Stelter, to tell their story on why biofuels are important to Wisconsin’s farm economy and environment.
“It’s really important that, as farmers, we let our legislators know what’s going on at the farm,” said Stelter, who farms near Wautoma in central Wisconsin. “There’s actually only two legislators that have a recent farming background, so it’s crucial we show up and talk to them about how we farm, what we farm and how our farms play a significant role in contributing to the state’s economy.”
Despite the fresh faces and lack of farming experience in the Legislature, supporting Wisconsin farmers still appears to remain a priority for legislators on both sides of the aisle.
“Whether they were Republican or Democrat, all
our conversations were very positive,” said Rebout, a longtime biofuels advocate. “It’s evident that agriculture is still very important to the state of Wisconsin.”
INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT PROGRAM FOR BIOFUELS FACILITIES
To help expand access to more fuel options, the group urged legislators to support legislation that requires new retail or wholesale fueling facilities to install equipment capable of storing or dispensing ethanol blends of at least 25% ethanol by volume and biodiesel fuel blends of at least 20% biodiesel by volume.
Rebout said WSA is seeking a level market playing field.
“We’re not looking to take any current fuel options away,” he said, “but we’re simply looking to increase access to biofuels.”
The legislation is supported by the Wisconsin Fuel & Retail Association and would be funded by $8 million from the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) for the issuance of grants.
SAF TAX CREDIT
While most were largely unfamiliar with the concept of SAF, the legislators were intrigued and eager to learn about potential legislation that would create a SAF tax credit in Wisconsin. SAF is jet-fuel derived, at least in part, from renewable or nonpetroleum sources such as corn or soybeans. The credit being asked from WSA, WCGA and WBFA would provide $1.50 for each gallon of SAF produced in the state of Wisconsin. The credit would only be available for SAF produced using feedstocks that are grown or sourced domestically and produced within Wisconsin.
Jeff Earl (left), director of state governmental affairs with Clean Fuels Alliance America, visits with WSA leaders in between policy meetings in Madison.
“Right now, there’s a $800 million soybean crush facility on hold in Evansville that could potentially provide the soybean oil for a SAF plant if a tax credit like this were to go through,” Rebout said. “An incentive such as this could help kick start the SAF industry in Wisconsin and provide some overall stability for biofuels as a whole.”
CONSUMER INCENTIVES FOR ETHANOL AND BIODIESEL
Wisconsin finds itself on a bit of an island as the only Midwestern state without state-level biofuels support, despite being a top 10 biofuel-producing state. The group asked legislators to support the adoption of consumer incentives in Wisconsin for sales of ethanol and biodiesel.
“These programs create a steady demand for crops like corn and soybeans, help stabilize prices and farm income, provide additional markets and drive investment into our rural farming communities,” said Adam Kask, WSA executive director.
WSA is seeking a five-cent-per-gallon incentive for biodiesel blends containing 5-10% biodiesel, as well as a five-cent-per-gallon tax credit for higher ethanol blends like E15 and E85. Other area states offering similar consumer incentives include Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Nebraska, South Dakota and Ohio.
AGRICULTURAL ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (ARIP)
Of all the requests the farmer-leaders presented during the Hill Visits, the most receptive by far was support for an additional $150 million in funding in the 2025-27 biennial budget bill to continue the popular Agricultural Roads Improvement Program (ARIP). ARIP provides grants to municipalities to bring posted roads to non-posted status and prioritize roads that have the highest agricultural economic impacts. The program was first funded with $150 million during the 2023-25 biennium as the nation’s first agricultural-specific road funding program to upgrade local roads that shoulder over 10.8 billion pounds of ag goods annually.
“This program is critical because the number of requests the state has received has totaled more than $500 million,” Stelter said, “which far surpasses even what we are asking.”
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has funding for the ARIP program in his proposed budget, but his proposal only provides $50 million for the next biennium. Legislators on both sides of the aisle are strong proponents of the program and are eager to see it continue.
“Usually, we find ourselves wanting to cut things from the governor’s budget, but in the case of funding for ARIP, it’s just the opposite,” said District 15 State Senator Mark Spreitzer. “This is one of the things the Legislature is actually trying to one-up the governor on.”
STATION TO STATION
The city of Madison is cutting carbon by converting most of its fleet vehicles to operate on 100% biodiesel. As of 2024, Wisconsin also supported more than 20 biodiesel dispensing stations. Scan the QR code to support those locations.
WSA Executive Director Adam Kask joined six WSA farmer leaders in a Hill Visit to support policies to help advance Wisconsin’s biofuels industry.
There is a relentless spirit that unites us all in agriculture - a conviction we can dream big and that together, we become unstoppable.
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17 NIV
SEEING IS BELIEVING
WSMB surveys biofuels challenges, opportunities during Clean Fuels Conference
By Mark Askelson
With a biodiesel industry hoping to accelerate, a new administration shifting gears and many other states already in the fast lane, the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board (WSMB) picked the right time to participate in its first biodiesel See for Yourself (SFY) mission during the Clean Fuels Conference in San Diego and jump-start discussions on how to support agriculture and the local economy through the biofuels industry.
The conference, which was hosted by Clean Fuels Alliance America, connected players in biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel for a week of expert sessions, exhibits, networking and showcases. With all the rapid growth and changes in the biofuels industry, the theme for the conference was, fittingly enough, accelerate.
The acceleration and growth of the biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel industries is quite evident. For the first time ever, more than 5 billion gallons of biodiesel were consumed in the United States as demand grows from both the west and east coasts and more industries such as rail and marine seek out biodiesel and renewable diesel to meet their carbon-reduction goals.
However, of those 5 billion gallons of biodiesel consumed in 2024, only 3.3 billion came from domestic feedstocks, such as soybean oil, and the other 1.7 billion were imported from other countries.
“We obviously want domestic feedstock to be a part of the Clean Fuels growth, but even as crush capacity is expected to expand by another 30% in the coming year, the reality is that imported feedstocks will likely still be part of the equation as we look to hit our next goal of 6 billion gallons of biodiesel,” said Donnell Rehagen, Clean Fuels chief executive officer.
‘ON AN ISLAND’
The Clean Fuels Conference provided an opportunity for WSMB’s farmer leaders to get a better grasp on what other states are doing to promote biofuels.
“Each of the states here have different policies for supporting biofuels, and often we look to our neighbors in Minnesota who have set the bar with a biodiesel mandate, or maybe others who have blending credits available,” said Jonathan Gibbs, WSMB president. “Here at the SFY we can talk with our peers about their state policies or checkoff supported programs and learn about their successes and see how we can learn from that to support biodiesel in Wisconsin.”
According to 2022 data, Wisconsin consumes about 27 million gallons biodiesel annually and has the capacity to produce 28 million gallons. However, their only biodiesel processing facility has sat idle since March 2024. Wisconsin is also unique in that they currently don’t have any statewide biodiesel blending requirements or tax incentives to incentivize fuel providers for selling homegrown biodiesel.
“We’re kind of on an island in that we’re the only state amongst our neighbors that doesn’t have a biodiesel mandate or tax incentive on the books,” WSMB Executive Director Adam Kask said. “So those participating in the SFY from Wisconsin had the opportunity to learn from what other states are doing to support the biofuels industry in their state and why it’s important.”
WSMB District 1 Director Andy Bensend, who in December 2024 participated in Clean Fuels’ Big Apple Tour, which provided insight into how the Northeast is using biodiesel to power city trucks and buses and heat homes, said it’s tough seeing neighboring states like Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois lead the way in biodiesel and production.
“Minnesota has been a leader for biodiesel for the past 20 years so I’m a little bit jealous because we can never seem to get anything like that to happen here in Wisconsin,” said Bensend. “I think it’s time we take a run at it.”
TEAMWORK
Taking a run at it is exactly what they plan to do with help from their partners at the Wisconsin Soybean Association (WSA), after the organization collaborated with industry colleagues to promote legislation in Madison that would provide incentives for the fuel industry to increase renewable fuel production.
“One of the priorities for WSA this year is to work with the Ag Coalition and our lobbyists to see if we can get some meaningful changes in Madison and see if we can get some sort of tax incentive on the books moving forward,” said Kask, who begins his first full year as WSA executive director in 2025. “Biofuels is massively important to our farmers because it adds a significant value to each bushel of soybeans grown in Wisconsin and has a meaningful effect on our farmers’ bottom line.”
While WSA is busy lobbying, Bensend, Gibbs and the
rest of WSMB lead the way in educating and promoting the benefits of biodiesel, helping to grow that demand from the ground up.
“We have the infrastructure here and ability to grow the biodiesel industry here in Wisconsin,” Gibbs said, “but we need to educate our fuel providers and customers, as well as farmers, to help create that demand.”
Part of the education piece is WSMB’s checkoff partnership with MEG Corp, which helps provide technical expertise to troubleshoot filter plugging and diesel issues, perform diesel studies and conduct best practices for diesel storage, handling and use education throughout Wisconsin. They also coordinated the SFY visit to the Clean Fuels Conference, bringing along with them diesel mechanics, fuel distributors and others in the fuel industry.
One of those participants was Chris Yarolimek, general manager of Venture Fuels of La Crosse, who was optimistic about the future of biodiesel in Wisconsin.
“I think we need to forget about some of the misconceptions from the past and that, again, comes down to education,” Yarolimek said. “With that, I think they’ll see biodiesel is a great product. Not only does it perform well but it supports our farmers, too.”
Know more: Biodiesel increases demand for soybeans by 13% and adds about $1 value to every bushel of soybeans.
TEE-RIFIC!
Join the Wisconsin Soybean Association for the second annual Clean Fuels Soybean Classic at the Evansville Golf Club!
Monday, July 28, 2025
11 a.m. registration Noon shotgun
Evansville Golf Club, 8501 Cemetery Road Evansville, WI 53536
The cost to participate is $100 per person, or $400 for a 4-person team. Includes 18 holes of golf, cart rental, meal and drink tickets.
All proceeds help WSA stay on the fairway by promoting farm-friendly policies in Madison and Washington, D.C.
By Kelsey Barchenger
Staying on the cutting edge of the soybean industry means prioritizing research to find inventive ways to continue moving the needle for Wisconsin soybean farmers.
The Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board (WSMB) did just that at its February board meeting during the Wisconsin Corn•Soy Expo, approving funding for the continuation of several University of Wisconsin Extension research projects for fiscal year 2025.
“We’re helping to fund the tools for our farmers to be more profitable,” Jonathan Gibbs, WSMB president said. “As a board, we seek to sponsor projects that are looking ahead to battle production challenges and ultimately improve our bottom line, and that all comes from having robust conversations as a group.”
PEST MANAGEMENT
It’s 2025, and just like a scene out of the movie “A Bug’s Life,” there’s no better time to listen in to what all those pests are scheming in the soybean field. Newly approved pest management research will work over the span of four years to implement a new and innovative methodology centered around the around the award-winning “Insect Eavesdropper” created by UW-Madison Entomologist Emily Bick. Focusing on the top 12 identified soybean pests prevalent in the region, the research will meticulously deploy cutting-edge sensor systems to eavesdrop on pest feeding activities within soybean fields. Researchers plan to use the data to formulate precise pest control strategies that contribute to the timing of insecticide use for soybean agriculture practices.
Once commercialized, Wisconsin soybean fields will be the first to experience the Insect Eavesdropper.
WSMB approves research projects
“WE’RE HELPING TO FUND THE TOOLS FOR OUR FARMERS TO BE MORE PROFITABLE.”
- JONATHAN GIBBS, WSMB PRESIDENT
SOYBEAN CYST NEMATODE (SCN) TESTING
Wisconsin soybean growers lose more yield (up to 50%) to soybean cyst nematodes than to any other disease. Understanding nematode biology is key to recognizing early infestation and managing its negative economic impact. Expanding upon an ongoing WSMB project and to further tackle this issue for growers, researchers will continue analyzing SCN resistance and develop better control measures against harmful nematodes.
INTEGRATED SOYBEAN PRODUCTION SYSTEMS
Over the last decade, Wisconsin soybean farmers have been challenged with relentless extreme weather fluctuations, yet experienced record yields and profitability due to novel management changes and technologies. This research will continue managing and enhancing Wisconsin’s SCN testing program, along with its soybean yield contest. Additionally, it will develop best management recommendations for cover crop and second year soybean production systems, drone applications, overcoming limitations of biological nitrogen fixation in high yield systems and refining crop planting order to maximize farm profitability.
WISCONSIN SOYBEAN YIELD CONTEST
WSMB is continuing its support of the popular Wisconsin Soybean Yield Contest, which notched a record number of entries in 2024 and has been in existence for over a decade. The contest is hosted by the Wisconsin Soybean Association and organized to encourage the development of new and innovative management practices and to show the importance of using sound cultural practices in the state’s soybean production systems.
Details for the 2025 Yield Contest will be announced later this spring. Dr. Shawn Conley, a University of Wisconsin researcher who was approved to conduct several checkoff-supported research projects, oversees the Yield Contest.
SCN has been found in roughly 25% of Wisconsin’s soybean fields.
RAISING PROFITABILITY
WSMB is also a member of the 13-state North Central Soybean Research Program. The collaborative focus of NCSRP is soybean production research and extension outreach through soybean checkoff investments in university research and extension programs to better understand and manage plant stressors that reduce soybean yield and farmer profitability.
NCSRP’s emphasis on enhancing and protecting soybean yield through genetics and agronomic practices contributes to improving farmer profitability. From addressing white mold to cover crops to working with breeders, NCSRP is helping move agronomy forward.
“I really enjoy representing Wisconsin on (NCSRP) and and sponsoring projects that are improving our production practices and our bottom lines,” said WSMB Vice President Matt Wagenson, a longtime NCSRP director and current vice president. “It’s a great way to leverage our checkoff resources.”
In FY24, NCSRP approved nine projects for funding, including two overseen by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers Damon Smith (soybean disease management) and Shawn Conley (data-driven knowledge for profitable soybean management systems).
WHITE MOLD MANAGEMENT
White mold of soybean remains a significant concern for Wisconsin soybean farmers, but ongoing research is making sure the strategies growers have on hand are stronger than the threat. Putting a microscope on white mold, this checkoff-supported research will analyze the potential of biocontrol products and cultural control practices, such as tillage, to improve sustainable management of white mold across the state.
Researchers will also dig deeper into complex ecological interactions of the white mold/soybean pathosystem in an effort to better understand how Wisconsin farmers can manage this disease sustainably.
OVERCOMING HERBICIDE WEED RESISTANCE MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES
Wisconsin researchers are constantly on the front line in the battle against weeds, including two of the most troublesome weed species in Wisconsin soybean production: waterhemp and giant ragweed.
A recently approved research project by WSMB is taking that fight up a notch, with the expansion of integrated waterhemp and giant ragweed management trials across the state in an effort to determine cultural practices to help Wisconsin soybean farmers maximize weed suppression. Research will also continue to identify and document the distribution and extent of herbicide resistance through comprehensive greenhouse screenings of weed seed samples submitted by growers and agronomists, and on-farm trials to demonstrate the economic and agronomic feasibility of targeted herbicide application systems.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison research team also plans to replicate its Wisconsin Extension Weed Management Workshop in the fall of 2025 and host a handful of summer field days at its key research sites to provide soybean growers, agronomists and consultants the opportunity to visit its WSMBsponsored weed management research plots and gain access to the latest research-based weed management insights developed by its program.
White mold has been a persistent problem in Wisconsin since the 1970s. Photo courtesy of Roger Schmidt, UW-Madison, Bugwood.org.
Checkoff-funded research on waterhemp is available at wiscweeds.info/. Photo courtesy of Aaron Hager, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org
AGRICULTURAL FORECASTING AND ADVISORY SYSTEM FOR SOYBEAN IN WISCONSIN
Farmers devote time and resources each season to foliar disease, insect and general agronomic management of soybeans.
The efficiency of these high-stakes decisions could be improved through the development of sophisticated decision-support systems (DSS). Soybean disease, insect and cover crop termination models could be built into online dashboards that are supported with weather information supplied by the Wisconsin Wisconet Mesonet weather station network. The initial infrastructure is in place to expand multi-model decision support tools to support on-farm soybean management decisions. The models and algorithms could be incorporated using traditional or machine learning strategies.
Thus, the objectives of this project overseen by Damon Smith are: 1) To incorporate new disease and insect pest models in a DSS; linked to the Wisconsin Wisconet Mesonet weather network; 2) To incorporate cover crop termination model(s) in a DSS linked to the Wisconsin Wisconet Mesonet weather network; 3) To engage stakeholders through design thinking to validate and improve the utility and user-experience of the expanding DSS.
These objectives will help expand models available for soybean pest and agronomic management decision making and provide those tools in a single web-based decision support tool that is optimized for Wisconsin production using the statewide Wisconet Mesonet weather network.
KEEP IN THE LOOP
For the latest information on WSMB checkoff research, visit soybeanresearchinfo.com/ and coolbean.info
“Without the support and trust of farmers and the soybean checkoff, my program would not exist,” says UW-Madison Extension Specialist Damon Smith, who is working on multiple soy checkofffunded projects in 2025.
SELLING POINTS
WSMB TAKES BIG STEPS TOWARD
REACHING
FARMERS, CONSUMERS AND FIREFIGHTERS
By Soy Forward Staff
Attention Wisconsin soybean farmers! You’re liked.
A survey of non-farmers in the state shows that people really do like farmers, even if they don’t fully understand the power of the food, fuel and products that comes from a tiny soybean.
That’s why, while soybean farmers are growing the 2025 crop, the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board will be raising awareness around soy-based products throughout the state.
“As a board, we wanted to really focus on telling our friends in Wisconsin about the many benefits of soybased products,” said Jonathan Gibbs, WSMB president. “We know the benefits of using soy products such as biodiesel or soy-based tires. We also learned many people don’t understand and want to know more.”
WSMB recruited CLUTCH agency to test the attitudes of non-farmers about Wisconsin’s farmers. Additionally, the research delved into people’s opinions of soy-based products. Occupations of those surveyed ranged from retirees to students, nurses, human resources and IT managers, mechanics, McDonald’s workers, truck drivers and more.
According to the research, 81% of people surveyed had a positive or very positive attitude about the state’s farmers. Only 2% viewed farmers negatively.
“What we’re seeing is that, generally, Wisconsin loves its farmers,” said Doug Monson, WSMB sr. director of integrated marketing. “We also learned that the older the person, the more favorable their attitudes toward farmers.”
WSMB Executive Director Adam Kask said it was important to establish a baseline understanding of nonfarmer attitudes in the state to better direct soy checkoff
communication efforts.
“While attitudes toward farmers were surprisingly very positive, their knowledge of soy-based products lagged behind,” Kask said.
Only 38% of respondents surveyed were familiar with biobased products.
GROWING AWARENESS
The research is part of a bigger initiative by WSMB to help people understand the magic behind the little bean that could. As it chugs along, thinking it can, checkoffdriven products are born. Products like PFAS-free SoyFoamTM TF1122, which helps firefighters combat fires while limiting exposure to cancer-causing chemicals.
“Ultimately, we want to talk to our friends, neighbors and to urban areas about the importance of using biobased products, not only to support Wisconsin’s economy, but also its environment,” Gibbs said.
The Marketing Board is targeting non-farmers with a commercial series, which will air over streaming services and devices throughout the summer and into the fall. The full commercial is currently being produced by Double Jump, a video production crew with a long history of working both in farm and non-farm video production.
“We’re excited to showcase the soy-based products in a fun and memorable way,” Monson said. “We’ve definitely taken some creative freedoms with this project, and at the end of the day, we’re hopeful we’ll drive awareness around those products.”
GOLDEN TICKET
The Marketing Board isn’t just talking to non-farmers, it’s appealing to firefighters as well. Wisconsin is
a unique state in that all the testing for SoyFoam certifications is done at Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire, thanks in part to checkoff investments by WSMB.
But the story of the soy checkoff goes deeper as the initial investment into SoyFoam came from the United Soybean Board.
“We really liked this project,” said USB Director Tony Mellenthin, one of three farmers representing Wisconsin on the national board. “Sometimes it isn’t about the number of soybeans we are able to use, but about the quality of the products that come out of the research. SoyFoam is one of those projects that just makes sense.”
Throughout summer 2025, the Marketing Board will be engaging select fire departments throughout the state, with one lucky winner receiving a golden ticket for SoyFoam.
“We’re having fun with all of this,” Kask said. “Wisconsin soybean farmers should be proud to grow a crop with so much potential.”
NEXT GENERATION
As a bonus, the Marketing Board partnered with Cross Plains Solutions to sponsor the annual sales competition for the college chapters of the National Agri-Marketing Association. Students from more than 30 colleges will compete in April in Kansas City, Mo., on sales scenarios as they try to make a sale of SoyFoam to “fictitious” characters from the city of Janesville.
“This was one of those unique situations where we are able to teach about the soy checkoff while seeing how the brightest sales minds would work through selling a soy-based product,” Kask said.
SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS
On sustainability
• 58% of people surveyed said farmers should decide, lead and promote sustainable practices on the farm
• 21% said farmers should be regulated by governing bodies and follow those regulations precisely
• 21% never consider who should lead the way on sustainability on the farm
Locally grown vs. effectiveness
• 54% of those 65 and older cared most about a product being locally grown
• 32% of those 18-24 years old cared most about effectiveness of a product
• 27% of 25-34 year olds cared about the amount of biobased materials included, the largest percentage of the six age ranges surveyed
What they are saying
“I would like to send a message to them: Thank you for your efforts. In the long run, all of this matters.”
“This is the first I’ve heard of it, and I think these products would have a tremendous positive impact on our country as a whole.”
CHECKOFF PRODUCT IS BLAZING A TRAIL
By Sydney Harris
Communities are at the heart of agriculture, and agriculture is the heart of communities.
And now, Wisconsin soybean farmers and their checkoff dollars are making sure those hearts keep pumping with significant investments in SoyFoam TF1122, a firefighting agent devoid of cancer-causing PFAS chemicals.
During the 2025 Wisconsin Corn•Soy Expo, three experts came together to tout the magnitude of SoyFoam’s benefits during the “Future of Firefighting with SoyFoam” panel.
“About five years ago, a friend of mine who is a firefighter in Minnesota came to me and said, ‘You have to do something about the chemistry in these firefighting foams –it’s killing us,” said Wisconsin native Dave Garlie, with Cross Plains Solutions, the company that developed SoyFoam with soy checkoff support.
Though there are still hurdles to jump before SoyFoam is the go-to foam used by firefighters across the country, one fire department in Wisconsin is blazing the trail and ditching traditional firefighting foams with harmful PFAS chemicals for SoyFoam. The Rock Creek Township fire department has entirely converted to SoyFoam.
Jason Wiley, the fire chief, joined the panel to share his experience, offering advice to others in the industry considering adopting SoyFoam.
“I feel a lot better about my crew using SoyFoam than foams with PFAS,” Wiley said.
‘LESS EXPOSURE’
Already selflessly willing to jump into danger to help their neighbors, firefighters have an infinite number of hazards to avoid when answering a call. SoyFoam eliminates one of those dangers.
“It’s one less exposure that I have to worry about,” Wiley explained.
Developing a solution wasn’t as easy as one, two, three. It required countless formulations and tests, a majority of which ended with chemists walking back to the drawing board. First on the list of problems to solve was how to give the product a longer shelf life.
“As soon as you mix water with beans, the clock is ticking and it’s going to go rancid by dinnertime,” Garlie said. “We had to figure out how to get Mother Nature to behave in a bucket.”
With several hurdles to jump before commercialization, Garlie and Cross Plains worked closely with Chris Turner, an educator and lead technician for Chippewa Valley Technical College’s Fire Safety Center, to develop SoyFoam.
“Does it put out the fire? Does it make a nice blanket and hold the blanket so that it’ll keep the fire out for a while? Those are questions we have to ask and test to make sure it does all those things,” Turner said.
Why put SoyFoam up against so many tests?
“When we formulated this product, the last thing we were going to do was take a step back in performance,” Garlie said. “That wasn’t acceptable.”
Though some fire departments have stopped using foam entirely for health concerns and solely use water, having a safe firefighting foam option is critical.
“Foam is something to protect it because it seals the fire up,” Wiley said. “Not using foam can be a big handicap and makes it a lot harder to fight the fire.”
The rigorous testing has paid off, and firefighters, farmers and communities around Wisconsin are ready to see the benefits.
“Not only is it PFAS-free, but SoyFoam is 100 percent fluorine-free,” Turner said. “We’ve all been waiting for a good alternative to PFAS and it’s here.”
SoyFoam
The Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board is on a quest to build new markets for the state’s over 16,000 soybean farmers.
SoyFoam fills that need with its unique properties:
• Fluorine free
• Biobased
The first and only greenscreen certified GoldTM fire foam
Engineered to be a safe fire combatant while protecting Wisconsin firefighters and our communities
SoyFoam’s Need-to-Knows:
Does SoyFoam TF-1122TM require changes in equipment, staffing or apparatus inspections?
No. SoyFoam is compatible with existing foam inductors and aerating nozzles. It does not require changes in staffing or standard operating procedures (SOPs) for Class A and B fires, nor does it increase the need for apparatus inspections.
Does SoyFoam cost more?
SoyFoam is cost competitive to current foam solutions.
How does the product perform in extreme temperatures?
SoyFoam can be frozen, heated and thawed and will still be fully functional.
How can fire departments purchase SoyFoam?
Cross Plains Solutions is working with third-party vendors for distribution. Visit their website to find yours.
• Biodegradable
• Certifiable direct release to our environment
Demonstrated vapor suppression on a variety of Class B hydrocarbon fuel sources and Class A woodland materials.
10
Shelf life of 10 years
How does SoyFoam impact decontamination, out-of-service time and cleaning costs?
Though SoyFoam is free of harmful PFAS chemicals, it’s still recommended to follow current decontamination policies and procedures.
What delivery options are available for SoyFoam?
It is available in 5-gallon pails, 55-gallon drums and 250-gallon totes.
Why is the soy checkoff helping to fund SoyFoam?
Farmers need to continue to build markets across various industries to grow demand. Current applications of SoyFoam TF1122 have the potential to use the protein from 12 million bushels of soybeans.
By Deanna Kanne
Soybeans are famous for their versatility. By and large, the “miracle bean’s” most common uses are for animal feed, cooking oil and biofuels, but soybeans’ uses are expansive. Another use, now becoming en vogue as fashion’s carbon footprint takes center stage, is fabric.
THE RUNWAY
Soy-based fabric is not a new market. Henry Ford, a passionate proponent of soybeans, is credited with inventing the fabric in the 1930s. Toward the end of his life, Ford tried to popularize soybean production by wearing soy garments and even incorporated soy fabric into his vehicles. Other fabrics later gained popularity, and soy fabric mostly fell out of fashion. In 1999, the process to create soy fiber became more efficient, but never gained traction.
Today, various kinds of soy fabric exist. To create the fabric, soy protein is extracted from soybean hulls and processed to create fiber. Pure soy fabric is known to be a stretchy and breathable fabric, sometimes used in athletic wear. Soy can also be mixed with cotton to provide additional strength and shine, or with wool to enhance softness and elasticity.
SOY: ‘A VERY USABLE PRODUCT’
To bring additional views to this underappreciated value-added use, U.S. Soy created Nextile: The Soy in Textile Design Challenge. Now in its second year, the challenge increased from six colleges and universities to 21 institutions in 2025. Each school had a winner of a $500 scholarship, with the winner continuing on to the national competition to vie for the $1,000 scholarship. Judges included representatives from design and textile industries, U.S. soybean farmers and Qualified State Soybean Boards. Judges based their decision on several key areas, including originality, innovation, practicality and execution.
U.S. Soy sent students a kit containing several soy-based products, and students had freedom of interpretation and could create anything from clothing to home décor. This year’s winner was Clara Padgham, a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Padgham, a textiles and fashion design major, chose a soy-blended yarn from the kit provided by U.S. Soy.
“It was really soft and lightweight, and I can see it having a lot of really interesting uses in fashion,” Padgham said. “It seemed to be a very usable product.”
Padgham gained her inspiration for her soy woven textile bucket hat as she researched the yarn’s properties. Soy materials have antimicrobial and sweat-wicking factors, which intrigued Padgham.
“I was already thinking in this lens of a summer textile,” she said, “and then it being UV-protectant sounded like a really interesting hat.”
Soy fabric is also biodegradable, an environmental benefit over other fabrics.
“So often we are advertised what things are sustainable, and that in and of itself is such an overall buzzword,” Padgham said. “Being able to participate (in this challenge) helped me learn so much about different materials that are good for the environment that I just might not have ever heard of. It’s a really cool way to be able to explore different materials.”
Padgham hopes to continue learning to use soy-based materials in future designs.
“I want to work in women’s apparel or accessories and definitely in a space where the environment and thoughtfulness to the materials used is at the forefront of the design,” she said.
UW-Madison student wins Soy in Textile Design Challenge
Soybean fiber is good for the skin and contains healthy amino acids.
In the last five years, soy checkoff investments have generated a 4.5-to-1 ROI in export market development and an 18% increase in U.S. soybean exports.1 Investing $400,000 for infrastructure research, analysis and design at the Port of Gray’s Harbor helped to expand the facility and increase capacity for the export of soybean meal.
USDA announces Emergency Commodity Assistance Program details
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced that the department is issuing up to $10 billion directly to agricultural producers through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) for the 2024 crop year. Administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), ECAP will help agricultural producers mitigate the impacts of increased input costs and falling commodity prices.
Authorized by the American Relief Act, which the Wisconsin Soybean Association supported, economic relief payments are based on planted and prevented planted crop acres for eligible commodities for the 2024 crop year. To streamline and simplify the delivery of ECAP, FSA will send pre-filled applications to producers who submitted acreage reports to FSA for 2024 eligible ECAP commodities. Producers do not have to wait for their pre-filled ECAP application to apply. They can visit fsa.usda.gov/ecap to apply using a login. gov account or contact their local FSA office to request an application once the signup period opens.
The payment rates include $29.76 per acre for soybeans.
PRODUCER ELIGIBILITY
Eligible producers must report 2024 crop year planted and prevented planted acres to FSA on an FSA-578, Report of Acreage form. Producers who have not previously reported 2024 crop year acreage or filed a notice of loss for prevented planted crops must submit an acreage report by the Aug. 15, 2025, deadline. Eligible producers can visit fsa. usda.gov/ecap for eligibility and payment details.
APPLYING FOR ECAP
Producers must submit ECAP applications to their local FSA county office by Aug. 15, 2025. Only one application is required for all ECAP eligible commodities nationwide. ECAP applications can be submitted to FSA in-person, electronically using Box and One-Span, by fax or by applying online at fsa. usda.gov/ecap utilizing a secure login.gov account.
If not already on file for the 2024 crop year, producers must have the following forms on file with FSA:
• Form AD-2047, Customer Data Worksheet.
• Form CCC-901, Member Information for Legal Entities (if applicable).
• Form CCC-902, Farm Operating Plan for an individual or legal entity.
• Form CCC 943, 75 percent of Average Gross Income from Farming, Ranching, or Forestry Certification (if applicable).
• AD-1026, Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) Certification.
• SF-3881, Direct Deposit.
Except for the new CCC-943, most producers, especially those who have previously participated in FSA programs, likely have these forms on file. However, those who are uncertain and want to confirm the status of their forms or need to submit the new Form-943, are encouraged to contact their local FSA office. If a producer does not receive a pre-filled ECAP application and they planted or were prevented from planting ECAP eligible commodities in 2024, they should contact their local FSA office.
ECAP PAYMENTS AND CALCULATOR
ECAP payments will be issued as applications are approved. Initial ECAP payments will be factored by 85% to ensure that total program payments do not exceed available funding. If additional funds remain, FSA may issue a second payment. ECAP assistance will be calculated using a flat payment rate for the eligible commodity multiplied by the eligible reported acres. Payments are based on acreage and not production. For acres reported as prevented plant, ECAP assistance will be calculated at 50%.
For ECAP payment estimates, producers are encouraged to visit fsa.usda.gov/ecap to use the ECAP online calculator.
The ASA Young Leaders Program was founded in 1984 and provides leadership training in agriculture, identifying and training new, innovative and engaged growers to serve as a voice for the American farmer. Many Wisconsin Young Leaders, including Tanner Johnson, who now sits on ASA’s Executive Committee, have grown into leadership roles at the state and national levels. The Young Leader Program is also supported by the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board and the soy checkoff
Sennhenn used the two training sessions, the first of which was held in Iowa in December 2024, to help find his voice and build his communication skills.
“It was a great use of my time, and I’m thankful for the opportunity,” Sennhenn said. “What they could do in just four short days of training to give some confidence in my communication abilities was incredible.”
Brad Sennhenn, Wisconsin’s 2024-25 American Soybean Association Corteva Agriscience Young Leader, completed the program’s second phase during the 2025 Commodity Classic in Denver.
Sennhenn is focused on increasing his involvement with WSA and putting his leadership skills to work.
“I’ve been doing a lot of listening and learning from my peers on the board,” Sennhenn said, “but I hope to use what I’ve learned through the ASA Young Leaders program to step-up and contribute to the group,”
Sennhenn attended his first WSA board meeting during the 2025 Corn•Soy Expo and joined his fellow directors during Hill Visits to the Capitol in Madison. Sennhenn said he hopes to be involved in the Young Leader’s exclusive third phase, which takes place in July in Washington, D.C., during ASA’s summer board meetings and Hill Visits.
“I think Brad got a lot out of the program,” said WSA Director Danny Brisky, a Young Leader alum who encouraged Sennhenn to apply. “It’s helped him develop skills that will benefit both his operation and our advocacy efforts.”
The University of the Wisconsin-Madison Extension is conducting a survey to estimate custom rates for common Wisconsin farming operations. If you are a Wisconsin farmer or a custom operator who performed or hired custom services in 2024, visit go.wisc.edu/CustomRates.
Growers only need to complete the sections of the survey that pertain to them. The survey asks about custom rates for tillage; planting and seeding; fertilizer and chemical application; manure services; grain harvesting, hauling and drying; silage, haylage, and hay services; and tractor and machinery rental.
The survey should take roughly 15 minutes to complete. Participation is entirely voluntary, and responses will be confidential. Published results will be anonymous. The survey is funded by the Division of Extension at UW-Madison.
Those who complete the survey with valid responses can enter a raffle for one of 10 Fleet Farm or Cabela’s gift cards for $100. Participants will be asked to provide contact details at the end of the survey. The survey can be completed at https:// go.wisc.edu/CustomRates
Sennhenn completes ASA Young Leader Program
2025 Wisconsin Custom Rate Survey
Brad Sennhenn (middle) and his wife, Kayla (left), completed the second phase of the ASA Corteva Agriscience Young Leader Program at Commodity Classic in Denver.
BIG BEAN ENERGY
Do you have that big bean energy?
Prove it by entering the 2025 Wisconsin Soybean Yield Contest.