Letter from your Chairman

LETTER FROM YOUR SOYBEAN CHECKOFF

Provided by Tim Ostrem, Chairman of the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council

Spring planting is go-time for farmers, and the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council board of directors has been busy making decisions and investing the Soybean Checkoff to help you in your farming practices throughout the year.

PRODUCTION RESOURCES:

SDSU and the North Central Soybean Research Program are working on checkoff-funded weed and pest management research projects. Visit our On-Farm Research website for research results. Yield contest winners share the practices that they use to achieve some of the best yields we’ve ever seen in the state. Information about varieties, maturities, fertility, herbicides, fungicides, conservation tillage, strip-till, and no-till practices are shared for your benefit online at www.sdsoybean.org under Yield Contest Results.

TRANSPORTATION:

Do you have bridges in your county that need attention or possibly replacement? The Soybean Checkoff will assist ten South Dakota counties that grow soybeans by providing up to $10,000 for bridge repair or replacement utilizing unique and cost-effective methods. Getting trucks and equipment from field to market safely is a priority.

FUEL:

Renewable diesel is creating tremendous demand for soy oil as a feedstock. Renewable diesel has the same specifications as fossil fuel diesel so it can be used in pipelines and has the same cloud point as petroleum diesel. Using [Usage?] of biodiesel and renewable diesel improves lubricity in diesel equipment.

PROCESSING:

Increased use of renewable diesel and other soybean products has made it possible for expansion for South Dakota Soybean Processors, who recently announced plans for a new crush plant near Mitchell. The facility will help narrow basis and provide soybean meal for area livestock. This new venture will also enhance the local economy with the addition of about 50 employees.

MARKET DEVELOPMENT:

Farmers can go to the field this spring knowing your Checkoff is seeking new customers for your soybeans. The Checkoff supports programs such as the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) which seeks new emerging markets for our soybeans in economically disadvantaged countries with human protein needs. As the economies of those countries develop and demand for meat grows, the United States Soybean Export Council (USSEC) promotes U.S. soybean use for aquaculture and livestock.

TIM OSTREM SDSRPC Chairman

CONSUMER OUTREACH:

Our Hungry for Truth consumer outreach initiative is gaining more traction every day. Check out and share farm stories, recipes, information on new uses of soy, and more online at hungryfortruthsd.com and Hungry for Truth SD on Facebook and Instagram.

TECHNOLOGY:

Soybean Checkoff dollars helped to build the Raven Precision Ag facility at SDSU. Precision agriculture is the future of farming and South Dakota farmers have always been quick adopters of new technology.

With all these projects and more, I’m excited to go to the field again and help feed and fuel the world!