Iowa Soybean Review, January 2014 by Iowa Soybean Association

Iowa Soybean Association, 1255 SW Prairie Trail Parkway, Ankeny, Iowa 50023

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Join the ISA January 2014

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CROP PROTECTION THAT’S LIGHT-YEARS AHEAD OF ITS TIME.

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Iowa Soybean Association

January 2014 | Vol. 26, No. 4

About the Cover:

FarmerDirected, Farmer-Funded Research

AJ and Kellie Blair play with their children at their farm near Dayton. The Blair family is very active in the Iowa Soybean Association and serve as spokespeople for the soybean industry.

It all began with two simple questions, back in the early 1990s.

ISA Awards

Farmers. Membership. Family.

The third annual Iowa Soybean Association awards banquet recognized past, current and future industry leaders.

Bringing stories to life. There has never been a more exciting time to be involved in the agricultural industry and we look forward to showing you why with IOWA SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION LIVE — a new app that is bringing stories to life in the Iowa Soybean Review. In three easy steps, you’ll get a more in-depth look at Iowa soybean farmers and stories that affect our lives.

The ISA has a nearly 50-year history of serving Iowa soybean farmers and encompasses more than 11,000 members.

26 Farmers Reap Rewards of Checkoff-Funded Research at ISU. Farmers are getting their money’s worth and then some when it comes to soybean checkoff-funded research at ISU.

Get the ISA LIVE app. Download it to your Apple or Android device by searching for IOWA SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION LIVE from your app store. Its free!

Once downloaded, start the app and hover over any photo that includes the ISA LIVE icon with your mobile device and the movie will begin to play.

Watch as exclusive stories come to life.

Iowa Soybean Association

EXECUTIVE review Kirk Leeds Chief Executive Officer Iowa Soybean Association kleeds@iasoybeans.com Twitter@kirkleeds

A Roman Tradition In thinking about some potential personal resolutions for the New Year, I began to wonder where the tradition of setting New Year’s resolutions came from. Like any great researcher would do, I decided to Google the question. The “sources” that I found indicated that the tradition started in Rome somewhere around 62 BC when the Romans called the first month of the calendar year January, after the two-faced god Janus, who looks forward into the new year and backwards on the year just completed. Over the centuries, various cultures and religions have influenced this goal setting exercise, but the original intent still remains. Namely, we like to think that we can improve our lives, health or situation by creating a list of things we would like to change or implement in the next 12 months based on the lessons learned from the previous year. The farmer directors of the Iowa Soybean Association are in the midst of a similar exercise as they continue to work on a new strategic plan for the organization. But, unlike the traditional approach to New Year’s resolutions, the ISA is involved in a structured and methodical process driven by data and robust debate about the various challenges and opportunities Iowa’s soybean farmers will face in the next three to five years. The end project will not be a list of

wishful hopes, but will be a road map providing direction for how our organization and our industry can move forward. How can you engage and support this process? Here are two suggestions. 1) Send me your email address and I will send you a short survey that asks for your thoughts and perspectives on the most pressing challenges that you believe soybean farmers in Iowa face. Your responses will be shared with the ISA board as they continue to work on the new strategic plan. 2) Drop me a note or give me a call with your top five concerns and the top five opportunities you see in the next three to five years. One last suggestion for your list of New Year’s resolutions: Become a member of the Iowa Soybean Association so that you can be kept up-to-date on various soybean issues and receive timely and useful information to help you manage your farm operation. For all soybean farmers in Iowa who pay the soybean checkoff, there is no charge to become a member. All you need to do is go to our website (iasoybeans.com) to fill out a short registration form. Here’s wishing you the very best as you work to fulfill your New Year’s resolutions in 2014! YOUTUBE LOGO SPECS

American Soybean Association Directors Ray Gaesser, Corning Dennis Bogaards, Pella Jim Andrew, Jefferson John Heisdorffer, Keota Mark Jackson, Rose Hill United Soybean Board Directors Laura Foell, Schaller Delbert Christensen, Audubon Larry Marek, Riverside Jim Stillman, Emmetsburg

For advertising information in the Iowa Soybean Review, please contact Larson Enterprises, (515)440-2810 or larson6@mchsi.com. Comments and statewide news articles should be sent to the above address. Advertising space reservations must be made by the first day of the month preceding publication. In consideration of the acceptance of the advertisement, the agency and the advertiser must, in respect of the contents of the advertisement, indemnify and save the publisher harmless against any expense arising from claims or actions against the publisher because of the publication of the content of the advertisement.

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Farmers adopt technology

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Iowa Soybean Association 1255 SW Prairie Trail Parkway, Ankeny, Iowa 50023 Phone: (515) 251-8640 watermark Web address: www.soybeanreview.com E-mail: aclinton@iasoybeans.com Iowa Soybean Association can also be found on these sites:stacked logo (for sharing only)

Let Us Earn Your Policy Membership By Policy Director Carol Balvanz

Five years ago, the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) embarked on a new approach to membership. We decided to acknowledge what every soybean producer was telling us: that they all paid into the checkoff. We agreed. Since so many of our programs were funded by checkoff dollars, it only made sense to welcome all checkoff payers into membership and to learn how they wanted to engage with the association. We offered “Your ISA, Your Way” and let you choose the newsletters, communications and events you wanted. More than 11,000 of you responded, allowing us to learn more about your farming operations and what programming is important to you. However, checkoff dollars cannot be used for the lobbying and policy work that you expect your association to accomplish. Therefore, ISA offers a “second step” membership that asks for your dues to support ISA and the American Soybean Association at the statehouse, in Washington D.C. and with regulatory issues across the country. For $55 annually, or $135 for three years, ISA members join other farmers in employing staff to concentrate on policy and fund meetings and travel for farmers to explain agriculture’s needs to legislators ever more removed from farming. In the past year, ISA policy members and staff offered guidance to non-farm lawmakers through: 1. Hill Visits at the Iowa Capitol, with 38 ISA members participating on several Wednesdays during the session, getting the chance for one-on-one discussions with their own legislators and legislative leaders. 2. A legislative reception that attracted more than 90 legislators. More than 50 farmers talked about priorities in a social setting. 3. Travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with Iowa’s Congressional delegation, as well as with officials from the USDA, the Risk Management Agency and Environmental Protection Agency. 4. Work of the Iowa Farm Bill Study Team that developed several proposals and letters of support and offered guidance to members on both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees.

ISA Contract Lobbyist Jill Altringer and ISA Policy Director Carol Balvanz invite farmers to join them at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines.

5. The Adopt an Urban Legislator program where 12 farmer-leaders “adopted” 12 urban Iowa legislators and provided them with up-close insights of modern farming. 6. Four “Congressional District Meetings” where Iowa farmers met, face-to-face, with state and federal legislators during the summer months, talking about issues important to all Iowans. 7. Assisting with the Environmental Discovery Tour in October, welcoming legislators and legislative staffers onto three north central Iowa farms who have adopted nutrient management practices through ISA’s Environmental and On-Farm Network® programs. 8. Offering the Policy Network News twice a month which boils down the news and expert opinions from Washington D.C. and Des Moines. 9. Holding Policy Conferences in every Iowa crop district each November, giving all farmers the chance to impact ISA policy for the coming year. We want to earn your policy membership through connecting your needs with decision makers who can impact them. We welcome the opportunity to work with you and add your voice to those who have decided that more farmers need to engage in policy work. If you’re interested, why not start with a Hill Visit Day any Wednesday during the session or plan to attend our legislative reception on Jan. 28? Give me a call at 515-669-9174 and I’ll provide the details. I look forward to expanding our policy membership base and our legislative program with you in 2014.

We want to earn your policy membership through connecting your needs with decision makers who can impact them. J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 4 | S OY B E A N R E V I E W. C O M | 3

Ring in the New Year with

Soy Protein! For the past 13 years, The Soyfoods Council has been part of the programming at the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA). In 1999, the FDA gave soy protein a health claim (consume 25 grams a soy protein/day in the context of a healthy diet and it may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease) and that was the beginning of promoting soy protein to mainstream consumers. Over the years, a lot of misinformation about soy protein has been spread over the internet. Therefore, The Soyfoods Council is taking the “bull by the horns” and taking social media world by storm! Please follow us, tweet us, pin us and help us spread the word about soy protein! The Iowa soybean farmer can be proud to grow such a versatile and healthy soybean for animal feed, as well as being the perfect protein for foods made with soy protein. Consumers make choices everyday as to what they include in their diets, and the Iowa soybean farmer has them covered. It is time to celebrate how versatile and healthy soy protein is for all consumers including meat eaters, vegetarians or people who eat soy protein because it is delicious and healthy. Toast the New Year to healthy eating! Look at ways to start adding soy protein to your diet. Start by having a bag of soynuts handy when you need a quick snack to get you to the next meal, or carry a protein bar with soy in it in your truck or purse. This will keep you feeling full so you are not tempted by empty calories foods, as well as provding heart healthy protein. Happy New Year!

Linda Funk Executive Director The Soyfoods Council lfunk@thesoyfoodscouncil.com 800-383-1423

thesoyfoodscouncil.com | Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. 4 | J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 4 | S O Y B E A N R E V I E W. C O M

Hot Quinoa INGREDIENTS • 1 cup quinoa • 1 1⁄2 cup water • 1 cup edamame, thawed • 3 tablespoons olive oil • 1⁄2 red bell pepper, julienne • 1⁄2 yellow bell pepper, julienne • 1⁄2 green bell pepper, julienne • 1 small red onion, julienne • 1 small yellow onion, julienne • 1 tablespoon minced garlic • 1 teaspoon basil • 3 ounces white wine • 1 ounce honey • Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS In a medium saucepan over medium heat, cook quinoa in water. Add edamame to quinoa. In a medium pan over medium heat, add olive oil, peppers and onion to stir fry. After about three minutes, add garlic and basil. Cook until aromatic. Add white wine, cook an additional 2-3 minutes. Combine mixture with cooked quinoa in a large dish, mix, add salt and pepper as needed.

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Investing Checkoff Dollars

Exports to China:

Understanding the Importance By Jane Li

I come from a family closely connected to agriculture with my mum devoting her 35 years of career in economic development of farm community in Hubei. Hubei is a province located in central China along the Yangtze River. Like Iowa, Hubei is known for its agricultural resources and is the leading producer of rapeseed, cotton, rice and freshwater fish in China. I visited Iowa for the first time 10 years ago and fell in love with this land immediately. Iowa reminds me of home in many ways: rich soil, warm-hearted people and great food. The story of China’s economic development over the past 35 years has been well told. Agricultural reform has been a major pillar of the fundamental economic reforms undertaken by China and remains a key national security interest of the government. The soy industry has been a significant beneficiary as U.S soybean exports expanded in the early 2000 and the Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) was eventually removed after 2001. China’s agricultural and trade polices continue to move in favor of agricultural and economic growth. The changes over the years include:

• Greater emphasis on domestic market stability and long-term food security. • Transitioning small-scale farmers to more efficient farm structures. • Reducing the environmental footprint of agricultural production. • Improving the governance of institutions in designing and implementing agricultural policies. • Improving production efficiency to meet the growing food demand amid tight resources. • Narrowing the large income gap between rural and urban populations. • Improving the competitiveness of Chinese agricultural products in domestic and international markets. Understanding these trends and the complex political environment driving the China market is critical to continued market success in the soy industry. Especially given the important changes in political leadership in early 2013, understanding and analyzing these changes help identifying opportunities and mitigating risks. Iowa soybean growers have shown foresight and

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leadership by investing checkoff dollars to ensure in-depth understanding of the effects of those policy changes on China’s agriculture, as well as the potential impact on Iowa’s soybean industry. By providing the insight, I hope you will then have a clearer picture of the opportunities and challenges ahead for soybean exports to China. I will use the changes of China’s hog industry in recent years and the implications on soybean demand as an example.

China Leads Pork Production China is the largest pork producer and consumer in the world. Pork is a food great economic, cultural and political significance in China. Indeed, the term 'food security' in China mostly refers to 'rice security’ plus 'pork security.' Despite of more diverse protein consumed by Chinese in recent years, pork remains two-thirds of the protein intake. The demand for pork and pork products is predicted to continue to grow at a rate between 4-7 percent due to the rise of Chinese population, urbanization and wealthier consumers. Hog farming maintains the largest sector of China’s

Investing Checkoff Dollars

livestock industry, with average annual growth of 4 percent in the past 20 years. In 2012 alone, pork production reached 53.35 million tons, up 5.6 percent, year-on-year, accounting for more than 63 percent of the total meat output in the country. In response to the growing demand, the structure of hog farms in China has greatly changed. Backyard farming, which once dominated the market, has experienced a sharp decline as large-sized commercial operations are gaining importance. New and emerging features of the industry include scaling up, industrialization and vertical integration. Currently, about 37 percent of the live hogs come from backyard farms, compared to about 74 percent in 2001. A large part of this shift has been driven by government policy support and investment. Over the past decades, the Chinese government at central, provincial and local levels have announced and initiated a range of measures to facilitate these change, including: • Direct subsidies for farm expansions. • Financial awards to large farms holding at least 500 sows ($146,000) and to standardized farms and village “production zones” where at least 500 hogs are slaughtered annually (from $30,000 to $117,000 according to farm size and province). • Industrial hog farm funding for major hog-producing counties. Started in 2007, these funding can be used for breed improvement, enhancing hog barns, interest subsidies for production loans and local hog industry development initiatives. From 2007 to 2012, the number of major hogproducing counties benefiting from this support has increased from 253 to 536, while the total support has grown from $245 million to $882 million. • Subsidies were given to each of 300 key breeding farms and provincial hogbreeding centers. • Grants for larger hog operations. The average grants per farm are $32,680 for operations with a total number of slaughtered hogs between 500 and 999, $65,360 for operations between 1,000 and 1,999, $98,039 for operations between 2,000 and 2,999 and $130,719 for operations with a total number of 3,000 or more. The total value of grants dispensed amounted to $2.45 billion during 2007-2012.

• A waiver of the 25 percent corporate income tax for companies that engage in livestock production. Naturally, the commercialization of hog farming has also shifted the demand for feed and accelerated China’s development of the multi-billion dollar feed industry. Unlike small-scale farms that use inexpensive feed stuffs including crop stalks, bran and hulls from grains, food scraps and forages, commercial scale farms purchase commercial feeds, which translates into additional demand for manufactured feed and feed ingredient imports. Over the past 10 years, domestic feed demand has risen about 8 percent annually, making China the second-largest feed industry in the world. On China’s current growth trajectory, it is poised to pass the U.S. as the global leader in feed production in the coming decade. The continued restructure of China’s hog farming will provide ongoing opportunities for the Iowa soybeans industry and ISA’s 11,000 members. Opportunities, however, are often accompanied by risks. The heavy government involvement in the hog industry and lack of government transparency will lead to speed bumps down the road. The sustainability of the hog industry will be heavily moderated by socio-economic factors such as environmental concerns, animal disease and food safety. There are considerable uncertainties as to how these factors will play out. For example, the blue ear disease swept through 10 provinces in China decimating the hog population in 2007, spiking pork prices during that year. More than 2 million pigs were affected and 400,000 were culled. Looking forward, to explore and identify the political and economic risks involved with country’s livestock and feed industry in a timely manner will enable us to assess the impact on soybean demand and mitigate the risks for Iowa soybean growers. We cannot underestimate the importance of understanding the complexities and changes of politics, economics and trade policy in China in order to take full advantage of emerging opportunities and mitigate risks for Iowa soybean growers. I look forward to providing an increased level of actionable policy information to help Iowa soybean farmers maintain their leading position in soybeans exports to China.

Introducing Xueqing (Jane) Li Li is a Principal at Ag Food Consulting (AFC), located in Washington DC. Li has almost 15 years experience in the agricultural field and benefits from an extensive industry, association and government network in China. Prior to leading AFC, Li was the founder and managing director of Promar's China office, responsible for all aspects of operations of the office, including establishing, writing and delivering ISA's weekly and monthly China newsletter during her four years with Promar. Prior to working at Promar, Li was senior advisor on marketing to the USDA in the U.S Embassy, China. She served as an advisor and marketing specialist, consulting to senior USDA officials, U.S companies and producer organizations on the Chinese market.

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Iowa Soybean Association

Leadership Awards From recognizing a high school senior just beginning his agricultural career to honoring a long-time farmer-leader who championed the Iowa soybean farmer, the third annual Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) awards banquet featured past, current and future industry leaders. Receiving awards at the Dec. 12 ceremony in Ankeny were: The Rising Star Award, presented to Kolton Greiner by Farm Credit Services of America, recognizes an ISA member’s son or daughter who’s active at the local, state and national level and preparing to continue ag studies in college. Greiner is the son of Lindsay and Shelley Greiner of Keota. The Keota High School senior class and student body president also serves as the leader of the Keota FFA chapter and Dutch Creek Flyers 4-H group. Agriculture and athletics run in Greiner’s blood. In addition to assisting with a family business raising and selling show pigs (and showing swine and sheep himself at the local, state and national levels), he’s been involved with football, basketball, track, golf and baseball. He plans to attend Iowa State University, majoring in animal science or agricultural engineering. The New Leader Award, presented to Kellie Blair of Dayton by DuPont Pioneer, recognizes an ISA member outstanding involvement and commitment to promoting the soybean industry and agriculture. Blair is an active advocate for agriculture through her blogging work on a personal blog and her participation with the CommonGround, a group of female farm bloggers across the state. Blair, her husband, AJ and children Charlotte and Wyatt grow corn and soybeans and raise dairy heifers and pigs. Blair is dedicated to sharing information about agriculture, leading her to be involved with ISA’s Ag-Urban Initiative and hosting several farm tours for food editors, legislators and other groups.

The Environmental Stewardship Award, presented by Monsanto, was awarded to Steve Berger of Wellman for his commitment to caring for his land through tillage reduction methods. He raises soybeans, corn and hogs and uses no-till and cover crops to protect soil and water quality. Berger farms with his father, Dennis, and the two work closely with experts from Iowa State University, Iowa Learning Farms and ISA’s On-Farm Network. Berger is a certified crop advisor and past director of the Iowa Soybean Promotion Board. The Friend of the Iowa Soybean Farmer Award, presented by Cargill, went to Dr. John Pesek, Emeritus Professor of Agronomy and a Distinguished Professor in Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University. Pesek is nationally known for his research in soil fertility, crop production and the economics of fertilizer use. For more than 20 years, Pesek has worked with ISA members and staff, offering research advice, support and recommendations. His insight and knowledge has led to the investment of millions of checkoff dollars into production agricultural research. The Legacy of Leadership Award, presented by Stine Seed Company, was awarded posthumously to Raymond Heck for his passionate and relentless commitment to growing the Iowa soybean industry. Heck began farming near Perry in 1946 and worked continuously to champion Iowa soybean farmers until his passing in September. He served as ISA president in 1984 and supported the farmer vote to successfully raise the soybean checkoff. His son, Ron, farmed with his father and has served in a number of ISA positions, including president.

The Iowa Soybean Association recognized five leaders for their contributions to the soybean industry at a Dec. 12 awards ceremony. Pictured are, front row from left to right: Kolton Greiner of Keota, Rising Star Award; Berniece Heck of Perry accepting the Legacy Leadership Award on behalf of her husband Ron; Steve Berger of Perry, Environmental Stewardship Award; Dr. John Pesek of Ames, Friend of the Iowa Soybean Farmer; and Kellie Blair of Dayton, New Leader Award. Back row, left to right, Ryan Nelson, Livvy Nelson, Ron Heck, ISA President Brian Kemp, Carole Heck, Helena Nelson, Spencer Nelson and Brady Nelson.

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Linking Iowa soybean producers to global markets

AGP’s Export Terminal Port of Grays Harbor Aberdeen, WA

Photo by Marc Sterling

Iowa Soybean Leader Gaesser Assumes ASA Presidency Iowa soybean farmer Ray Gaesser of Corning was confirmed as president of the American Soybean Association recently during the organization’s annual winter board meeting in St. Louis, Missouri. Gaesser says he looks forward to leading the association given the breadth and scope of issues affecting soybean farmers. “As we work to see a farm bill enacted, and soybean-friendly policies in place within the trade, transportation, energy and technology

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arenas, we know that we’ll depend on the consistent involvement and cooperative work between all members of the soy family,” he says. They include our state affiliates, United Soybean Board, U.S. Soybean Export Council and our industry partners, to help fully realize the benefits of those victories. “As always, ASA remains committed to ensuring the success and profitability of soybean farmers, and I am very proud to be part of that effort.”

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Wednesday, Feb 19 | 5:30 p.m. Gateway Hotel and Conference Center, Ames.

Thursday, Feb 20 | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Scheman Building, Iowa State Center, Ames.

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2014 Conference

Agenda

Wednesday | Feb 19 5:30 p.m. Gateway Hotel and Conference Center, Ames Dinner, followed by a Vision and Feedback Forum, to discuss current research and demonstration projects, as well as needs and upcoming projects.

Thursday | Feb 20 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Scheman Building, Iowa State Center, Ames Information and education sessions kicked off by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, speaking on farmer and landowner responsibilities under the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Additional topics to be covered during the day include: • Managing herbicide resistant weeds • Cover crop studies and use in Iowa

Attention Iowa Soybean Farmers I’d like to encourage all Iowa soybean farmers to attend the annual On-Farm Network® Conference, Feb. 19-20, in Ames. This year’s theme is “Advancing Agricultural Performance® and Environmental Stewardship…at the field, farm and beyond.” This conference typically draws 500-600 farmers, agronomists and others with an interest in improving yields and environmental stewardship through better management of crop nutrients, weeds, insects and diseases through the use of on-farm comparisons. I’ve participated in a number of On-Farm Network studies, including reduced nitrogen rate strip trials and stalk nitrate testing for more than a decade. I’ve profited from improved, effective, efficient use of nitrogen. Participating in plant population strip trials has helped me find the “sweet spot” in determining planting rates. On-Farm Network fungicide trials have helped me understand and better manage soybean diseases, which has increased my net bottom line. I attend the conference to learn more about the studies I’m interested in, whether I’ve participated in them or not. Sharing data like this is just one more way we all learn from each other. If you’re not familiar with ISA’s On-Farm Network or Environmental Programs & Services, you can find more about them at www.iasoybeans.com. Whether or not you’ve taken part in On-Farm Network studies, information presented at this conference will give you ideas for improving production and profits, and especially for helping you achieve the goals set forth in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. I look forward to seeing you at the conference.

• Planting rate studies

Brian Kemp

• Fungicides on soybeans

Sibley, IA President, Iowa Soybean Association

• High yield management for soybeans • Nitrogen and manure management for corn • What’s new in precision ag tools? • Unmanned aerial vehicles for ag • Corn rootworm management • Iowa climate trends

Scan this code to watch the On Farm Network® 2013 Conference video!

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2014 Conference

On-Farm Network® Research Sponsors The companies and groups represented here funded studies done through the On-Farm Network in 2013. Many of these sponsors are long-term partners in ongoing studies conducted by the Iowa Soybean Association On-Farm Network & Environmental Programs and Services and also contribute to the annual On-Farm Network Conference.

Portions of some ISA On-Farm Network research projects are paid in full or in part by the soybean checkoff.

What do Iowa soybean farmers have to say about the On-Farm Network Conference?

Dean Coleman 1 4 | J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 4 | S O Y B E A N R E V I E W. C O M

Dennis Lindsay

Tom Oswald

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Investing Checkoff Dollars

Farmers. Membership. Family. By Heather Lilienthal

he Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) has a nearly 50-year history of serving Iowa soybean farmers and involves more than 11,000 members. With the mission of assisting growers with every aspect of soybean production, from strengthening yields, uses and markets to research, leadership development and consumer outreach, different farmers find benefits in different services. One ISA family has bundled the benefits. It couldn’t have been a busier time of the year when the Iowa Soybean Association asked Kellie and AJ Blair for a big favor. The young couple farms near Dayton, raising soybeans, corn, hogs and cattle. Add to that Kellie’s job with The Maschhoffs and two kids under the age of 5 and the hustle to finish up harvest, and you have the definition of busy. The ISA had a simple question: could the couple take

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a day off from harvest work to host a busload (and several carloads) of 50-plus people as part of an Environmental Discovery Tour? The Blairs didn’t hesitate with their answer. “We agreed to the tour because we know that it is important to tell our own story as opposed to having someone else tell the story for us,” explains Kellie. For the Blairs, the tour wasn’t a simple item to check off a ‘to-do’ list. They knew it was just one of the many ways the ISA and the Soybean Checkoff support soybeans farmers and their freedom to operate. The Blairs have had a long relationship with the ISA and have benefitted from a number of the association’s programs, including their participation in on-farm trials and research led by the On-Farm Network® and the Environmental Programs & Services department, hosting a group of food bloggers and writers for The Soyfoods Council, graduating

The ISA has a mission of assisting growers with every aspect of soybean production, from strengthening yields, uses and markets to research, leadership development and consumer outreach. from the ISA’s Ag-Urban Initiative leadership program and serving on the board of directors. It all began when AJ started farming, working with his parents on the family’s farm. “AJ was really the one to get us involved with ISA,” recalls Kellie as the couple retraces their steps with the association. “When I met AJ, he had just accepted to be on the board of directors. AJ knew a neighbor on the board and he was asked to take his place. Even after we had children and AJ finished his service with the board, we continued to be involved through the On-Farm Network and with friends we had made. That networking experience was priceless.” AJ’s participation with the OnFarm Network helped him identify and adopt new technologies. The lessons learned years ago continue to benefit the Blair farm. “The On-Farm Network continues

Investing Checkoff Dollars

to be a great agronomy management tool for our farming operation, from assisting with manure management to increasing yields,” says AJ. The benefits don’t end at the farm gate for the couple and AJ isn’t the only farmer in the family who’s developed vital leadership skills. Kellie, who was named the 2014 ISA New Leader, is a 2013 graduate of the ISA Ag-Urban Initiative. “I had been asked to be in the Ag Urban program in the past, but it was always a challenge to make the commitment,” says Kellie. “This year I finally looked at my calendar and decided it would work.” Her class was a true reflection of the program’s mission, blending rural and urban professions that included people working in non-profit fundraising, urban conservation, parks and recreation management, farmers, association professionals, advertising experts and more. The group discussed leadership, agriculture, management, environment and sustainability. The members continue to remain in touch, with each other and past program participants. A few graduates even participated in the Environmental Discovery Tour that the Blairs hosted. “The Ag-Urban program made a huge impact on both my personal and professional life. The knowledge I got from my peers, as well as my new friends, was awesome,” explains

Kellie. “My key takeaway was that this program had nothing to do with ag versus urban, but how ag and urban mesh in everyday life. This program is great because where we may see a gap in the ag and urban bridge, dialogue may show us that it isn’t a gap at all.” Building bridges is something at which the Blairs excel. They do it through ISA programs that reach out to non-farm audiences; talking to people face to face and through technology. Kellie is an accomplished blogger and explains life on the farm to her followers at her blog homeagainfinnegan.blogspot.com. “It started out as a little project, with the audience being my family, some friends and our landlords,” says Kellie. “I was nervous about increasing that reach, but, through the ISA AgUrban Initiative, I found the confidence and support to take it farther.” She addresses the challenges of raising two young kids, working on the farm with her husband and in-laws and issues that concern farm and non-farm folks alike, including water quality and more. Kellie’s blogging has also been recruited to be a part of an ISA-supported program called CommonGround. And she not only blogs about farming, she brings bloggers to the farm. This past summer, the Blairs welcomed a group of food bloggers [ Continued on page 20 ]

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Investing Checkoff Dollars

[ Continued from page 19 ] and editors for a tour sponsored by The Soyfoods Council. The topof-mind topic for the tour-goers? Genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) and food safety. “We knew that the focus of the tour was on GMOs, so we wanted to focus on the fact that we are able to choose GMO vs. Non-GMO seed on our farm and that we actually grow both,” says Kellie “Out of the two options, we wanted to show that there is no physical difference in the field, but there is a big difference in management of the two. “I loved meeting the attendees of the tour. It was great to try and look at things from their angle. That was when I really got interested in teaching what we do on our farm.” And that takes us back to the beginning of this story and the Blairs’ most recent farm tour. They changed the focus from food to the environment. That meant putting harvest on hold, sweeping out the shop and preparing a presentation about how the ISA is helping the family manage nutrients through research, data analysis, technology adoption and more. The Blairs served as the third farm stop of the day that featured discussions about how farmers are proactively protecting water quality. The goal of the daylong event, which was partly funded by the Soybean Checkoff, was to provide influencers the opportunity to

learn how farmers and agricultural interests support the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy --- a sciencebased initiative to reduce nitrate and phosphorous loads in Iowa waterways by 45 percent from point and nonpoint sources. Roger Wolf, ISA’s director of Environmental Programs & Services, told participants that rural and urban stakeholders must work together to improve water quality, and failure isn’t an option. He’s convinced the state is moving in the right direction. “Now we have a plan, a science assessment and we’re doing events like this. Now we’re seeing unprecedented alignment among ag groups,” Wolf says. “We have much work to do. We intend to improve productivity and profitability in a way that conserves natural resources and water.” “Once we found out that the tour focused on explaining the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, we knew we had to be involved because we think it is vital that all farmers see this strategy as necessary,” says AJ. “As livestock farmers, we already see the regulation side of nutrient management. We are given a huge opportunity to continue to work in a non-regulated manner in regard to our commercial fertilizer side of farming if we act responsibly and make voluntary changes in favor of water quality.”

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The ISA is helping the family manage nutrients through research, data analysis, technology adoption and more. Kellie adds, “If water quality in the state is not improved, we feel farmers will be regulated (for commercial fertilizer) similar to our livestock nutrient management regulations. These regulations are time-consuming and expensive. We feel it's worth putting in our time and effort now to explain what is happening out in the country and show that regulation isn’t the answer.” But, when it comes to answering the call and putting in the time and effort to support an association, the Blairs have stepped forward because they know the benefits are reciprocal. “The ISA has shown us that they are producer driven,” says AJ. “They focus on issues that are important to us and to get results. Rather than avoiding touchy or controversial issues, they pursue research and get answers.”

U.S. Soy Exports Hit

Record for Value in 2013 The U.S. soy industry has done it again, exporting an eye-popping 1.7 billion bushels of U.S. soy to customers around the world in the 2012-13 marketing year, which ended Sept. 30. The value of these exports comes to a record of more than $28 billion, a 19-percent increase from 2011-2012. The final figures show farmers continue to meet customer demand for a reliable supply of quality products. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, this total includes more than 1.3 billion bushels of whole U.S. soybeans, meal from 454 million bushels of U.S. soybeans and oil from 186 million bushels, which represents 56 percent of U.S. soybean production from last year. Soy exports for the 2013-2014 marketing year are off to a good start with 87 percent of the total 2014 export forecasts already sold.

Top buyers of whole U.S. soybeans in 2013 include: • China: 772 million bushels of U.S. soybeans • Mexico: 98 million bushels of U.S. soybeans • Japan: 63 million bushels of U.S. soybeans

Top buyers of U.S. soybean meal in 2013 include: • Mexico: meal from 59 million bushels of U.S. soybeans • Philippines: meal from 47 million bushels of U.S. soybeans • Canada: meal from 43 million bushels of U.S. soybeans

Top buyers of U.S. soybean oil in 2013 include: • China: oil from 37 million bushels of U.S. soybeans • Mexico: oil from 35 million bushels of U.S. soybeans • India: oil from 21 million bushels of U.S. soybeans

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The

IOWA SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION develops policies and implements programs that help growers increase their profitability.

ISA invests in the expansion of domestic and foreign markets, through support for renewable fuels and promotion of healthy soyfoods. • Biodiesel • Soy For Life Foundation and WISHH (World Initiative for Soy in Human Health) • Soyfoods Council • Soy Transportation Coalition

ISA is a national leader in soybean research and invests in production research aimed at growing soybeans more efficiently and profitably. • ISA leverages resources through regional initiatives such as the North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP) and the United Soybean Board. • ISA invests more than $2 million annually in soybean research at Iowa State University targeted at creating knowledge that farmers can use to improve their management decisions and profitability. • ISA’s On-Farm Network®, funded partially by the soybean checkoff, is a farmer-directed, farmerconducted research program to discover best practices, leading to improved profits and the potential for improved environmental performance. 2 0 | J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 4 | S O Y B E A N R E V I E W. C O M

Investing Checkoff Dollars

ISA is a leader in development and implementation of programs that improve agriculture’s environmental performance, helping farmers in their quest to be the best possible stewards of the land, water and air. • ISA provides technical support and expertise to help farmers develop and implement environmental management systems. • ISA supports watershed programs to improve water quality and help farmers continue their land stewardship practices.

ISA supports the livestock industry, the largest enduser of U. S. soybean meal. • ISA is a founding member of the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF). CSIF helps individual farmers expand their livestock operations while improving their relationships with their neighbors and their community.

ISA is an information resource for producers and for the public. • ISA provides valuable assistance to growers through a wide range of communication tools and through producer programs. • ISA provides information to increase public awareness of the importance of our industry and the many and varied soy products.

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By Mick Lane

It all began with two simple questions, back in the early 1990s. “Precision agriculture was a relatively new idea,” says Ron Heck of Perry. “I was one of a few farmers with a yield monitor linked to GPS. We could collect a lot of data and make yield maps, but didn’t really know how to use that information. “At the same time, environmentalists were saying farmers were responsible for deteriorating water quality and hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. We knew we had to shoulder some of that responsibility, but we needed facts,” adds Heck, a member of the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) board of directors at the time. Heck says the questions were: 1. Could farmers use precision ag tools to improve profitability? 2. How were current practices affecting water quality and what could farmers do about it? He says Iowa Soybean Association and Promotion Board directors were almost unanimous in their decisions to find the answers. “We started by funding small plot and precision ag studies by Iowa State University researchers,” Heck recalls. “We also helped fund a water quality data collection program in the Raccoon River watershed.” As Heck and other farmer board members gained experience with yield mapping and precision ag tools,

they wanted to focus their studies on collecting data that could improve both profits and environmental performance. “What we needed help with was being able to ask the right questions and then designing trials and data collection that could answer those questions,” he says.

Next Step

“With the introduction of onboard yield monitors that could use global positioning systems to generate geographically-linked yield maps, we realized we could easily collect field-scale data comparing different management practices in replicated strips that would be more reflective of real farm situations than small plots,” Heck says. While results from soybean grower funded research were helpful, only a few farmers were involved. Becoming fully farmer-directed meant getting more farmers involved, says John Hoffman of Waterloo. “When I was elected to the ISA board of directors in the late 1990s, collecting our own data was a new concept,” adds John Hoffman of Waterloo. “We felt it was important that individual farmers decide the type of studies they’d like to do and collect their own data. “Precision agriculture tools let us set up trials, collect data, and analyze it independent of the existing research

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system. It could be our program, answering our specific questions, and we would have the ability to determine how we’d share the results, and who we’d share them with,” Hoffman says. In 1999, ISA added Roger Wolf to the staff to begin collecting nitrateand phosphate-related data. Wolf had headed up a project in the Raccoon River watershed that collected data on relationships between water quality and soil management. A few months later, Dr. Tracy Blackmer, with experience in precision ag programming with Monsanto, joined the ISA staff and began working with farmers in on-farm nutrient management studies. “With these two experts at the helms of the ISA programs, the soybean checkoff dollars we put into research and data collection were matched – sometimes by two or more times – with funding from state, federal and conservation minded private foundations, allowing the programs to grow and gain regional and national stature,” Hoffman says.

Accomplishments Steve Henry of Nevada, has served both as an ISA director and a member of the On-Farm Network

Investing Checkoff Dollars

advisory council. Like Heck and Hoffman, he has used replicated strip trials to study his own nitrogen management. “Once you learn how to do trials, you can test other products and practices on your own,” he adds. Henry says it’s not just the application of protocols for fieldscale research that has made these programs effective. He says being able to accumulate data from growers over a wide area adds credibility. He adds that the importance of the ISA data became clear to him while visiting the headquarters of an international agricultural marketer. “Professional journal articles written by the company’s researchers were framed and displayed in a way that showed the importance of research to the company. Their reputation is built on research, and they continue to use results from the research written up in those papers to generate profits. “ISA research people have been compiling data and writing articles that have passed peer reviews and been published in several scientific research journals, doing for Iowa farmers what that company’s researchers were doing for it,” he believes. “The number of trials farmers have done on specific subjects has generated volumes of data,” says Dr. Peter Kyveryga, analytics operations manager for the On-Farm Network. “We’ve used this data to publish a dozen peerreviewed scientific journal papers, and produce posters and professional society presentations related to nutrient and manure management, fungicide use on soybeans, nitrification inhibitors with fall-applied swine manure, weed management systems for soybeans, and other topics.”

“We’ve definitely shown that data collected on a field or watershed scale stands up to scientific scrutiny.” -John Hoffman, Dayton

Look for more information on scientific publications and presentations authored or co-authored by ISA researchers at www.isafarmnet.com and http://www.iasoybeans.com/ environment/. “We learned early on that using a lower nitrogen rate for corn frequently increases economic returns, while reducing environmental impact,” Heck adds. “Sometimes, though, increasing the nitrogen rate increases yield, making better use of soil and water resources. We’re continuing to learn about precision management of inputs, like variable rate planting and fertilizer application.” “We’ve definitely shown that data collected on a field or watershed scale stands up to scientific scrutiny,” says Hoffman. “While the organization maintains a strict grower anonymity and data ownership policy, we will share aggregated trial data with everyone who can benefit from it.” “The biggest benefit to farmers who’ve participated in these programs is learning how to do their own research,” Henry says. “By testing new products and practices in replicated strips, we have the data to know how they perform on our farms, rather than relying just on what the dealer or the company tells us.”

Ron Heck, Perry

John Hoffman, Dayton

Steve Henry, Nevada

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Farmers reap rewards of checkoff-funded research at ISU. By Matthew Wilde

armers are getting their money’s worth and then some when it comes to soybean checkoff-funded research at Iowa State University (ISU). Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) farmer leaders have approved nearly $49.5 million worth of soybean research at ISU since the early 1970s. The payback, ISA and ISU officials say, has been excellent. While it’s impossible to exactly quantify the return on investment, experts conservatively estimate it in the hundreds of millions if not billions of dollars. Checkofffunded research at ISU has led to higher-yielding soybean varieties, better plant resistance to

diseases and pests and improved management practices. According to a study paid for by the United Soybean Board (USB), every checkoff dollar earns farmers $6.75. If history is any indication of what’s to come, ISU and ISA officials believe the state’s soybean farmers can look forward to an even more productive future. The longtime partners expect more collaboration in the coming years, especially if the proposed Iowa Soybean Research Center comes to fruition. Wendy Wintersteen, dean of ISU’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and Greg Tylka, an ISU professor and nematologist, say farmers have the technology

Iowa Soybean Association farmer leaders have approved nearly $

49.5 million

worth of soybean research at ISU since the early 1970s.

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and information to better manage a myriad of yield-robbing diseases and pests ranging from soybean cyst nematode and soybean aphids to brown stem rot and white mold thanks to past and ongoing projects funded by soybean growers. “I think the soybean association and its members who paid the checkoff have seen a great return on their investment, Wintersteen says. “The Iowa Soybean Association and the (ISU) College of Agriculture and Life Sciences share a common goal to strengthen Iowa agriculture. We have a record for doing that over the past decades that is phenomenal,” Wintersteen adds. “I always smile when colleagues

Investing Checkoff Dollars

from other states ask me how I have such a great relationship with the Iowa Soybean Association. I think it’s because we have that common goal and we know how to work together to achieve what is best for the farmer.” As the ISA prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, CEO Kirk Leeds says much of the organization’s success in helping soybean growers can be attributed to visionary members. Judiciously investing checkoff and noncheckoff dollars has been and always will be the highest priority for the board, Leeds says. “It still is 50 years after the founders began this organization and 40 years after the state checkoff. The No. 1 priority is to help farmers grow more soybeans at a lower cost in an environmentally sustainable way,” Leeds says. “It makes absolute sense … to invest at Iowa State University in soybean research.”

The early days

The ISA was founded in 1964 by farmers to increase the profitability of soybean production. One of their first priorities was to seek legislative approval to establish a state soybean checkoff program to fund production research and grow demand. Farmer efforts were successful in 1971 when the Iowa Legislature established a checkoff of a half-cent per bushel. Soybean growers then approved the checkoff via a referendum by a vote of 2,643 to 2,486, according to ISA records. In the early 1980s, the state soybean checkoff was upped to 1 cent per bushel. It was superseded in 1991 by the national soybean checkoff, which exists today. Onehalf of 1 percent of the net market price of soybeans sold is collected. Half stays in the state where it’s

collected and the other half goes to the USB. John Pesek became head of the ISU Agronomy Department in 1964, the same year the ISA was formed. After conversations with soybean pioneers like Bill Merschman, founder of Merschman Seeds; Willard Latham, founder of Latham Hi-Tech Seeds, and others, Pesek says it was clear what was needed. In the early 1960s, he says, not much money or time was devoted to developing soybeans, a relatively new crop. “They decided if they were going to get anything done, they better pony up the bucks. The only way to do that was the checkoff,” Pesek says. “That was the catalyst because (ISU researchers) worked on soybeans to see how they could improve yields.” And improve they did.

1964 Yields averaged per acre:

28.5 bushels

2005 Yields averaged per acre:

52.5 bushels (all-time high)

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According to U.S. Department of Agriculture data, Iowa soybeans yields averaged 28.5 bushels per acre in 1964. By 2005, average yields reached an all-time high of 52.5 bushels per acre. This year’s estimated yield is 45 bushels per acre despite a challenging growing season. On average, Iowa soybean yields have improved nearly a half-bushel per acre every year. If it wasn’t for checkoff dollars earmarked for breeding and projects studying planting date, row spacing and seed population, among other things, Pesek is skeptical the rate-of-gain would be that good. “Farmers got the information they needed to grow the best beans they could,” says Pesek, who retired from ISU in 1992. Pesek won the 2013 Friend of the Iowa Soybean Farmer Award. After retiring, Pesek served as a research advisor for the Iowa Soybean Promotion Board and then the ISA Board until last year.

Investing wisely

As checkoff contributions to ISU soybean research projects increased through the years, so did the number of acres and bushels grown in the state, and the overall value of the crop. ISA records show nearly $4.5 million was given to ISU for soybean research from 1972-1989. Since then, contributions ranged from a little more than $434,000 in 1990 to a record of nearly $3.2 million in

2012. This year, nearly $3 million was earmarked for research at ISU. Government data indicates Iowa farmers in 1964 harvested nearly 4.3 million acres of soybeans, totaling a little more than 121 million bushels. The crop was valued at nearly $312 million. Last year, 9.3 million acres of soybeans were combined totaling more than 414 million bushels. The crop was valued at nearly $6 billion. Bill Merschman says early decisions by ISA board members contributed to production increases. “The (ISA Board) has done a good job with their money. They don’t throw it away,” Merschman says, noting he was at early meetings when growers were deciding how to allocate funds. “Without the research program at ISU, I think (soybean) prices could be $1 to $2 (per bushel) lower,” Merschman adds. “The university does a good job with insect protection and disease (management).” Tylka says past and ongoing soybean cyst nematode (SCN) --- a small plant-parasitic roundworm that attacks the roots of soybeans, robbing nutrients and yields --research is a shining example of checkoff dollars paying off. In the late 1980s, SCN decimated fields, creating large dead spots. Many farmers thought it would put Iowa out of the soybean business, he says. In 1990, Tylka’s first ISA grant to study SCN was $10,500 to see if row spacing, plant population and tillage

could help control the problem --- it didn’t, he says. Since then, millions have been allocated to fight SCN. The widely successful “Take the Test, Beat the Pest” campaign was funded. ISU soybean breeders laid the ground work to develop soybean varieties resistant to SCN, along with other yield-robbing diseases such as brown stem rot and white mold. ISU runs the largest SCN resistant variety trial program in the nation. “Through checkoff research, we found out many things that worked and didn’t work. We found you could have up to 30 percent yield loss and the beans wouldn’t look sick. That was the basis for the catch phrase,” Tylka says. “Once (farmers) knew (SCN was present), they could plant resistant soybeans, rotate to corn and do other things.” Now, he says SCN yield loss is typically 5 to 20 percent instead of double that or more. SCN research has probably paid dividends in the hundreds of millions of dollars alone, Tylka says. University research has helped farmers manage pests better, too, Tylka says. For example, soybean aphids reduced yields by half in many parts of Iowa in 2003. Now, farmers know when and if to spray for better control. Threshold levels were established. ISA Board member Cliff Mulder says ISU research has helped him and countless other farmers. Years ago Mulder would plant

Wendy Wintersteen

Greg Tylka

John Pesek

Dean of ISU’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

ISU professor and nematologist

Former head of the ISU Agronomy Department

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Investing Checkoff Dollars

river bottom ground to soybeans every year because it was less risky. Yields gradually declined to 30 bushels per acres or less. Little did he know, it was due to SCN pressure. “Research has shown that you can’t do that, you have to rotate,” Mulder says. “We’ve learned how to control SCN. This is where public research is so helpful.” Yields have since rebounded in the once SCN-troubled fields to more than 60 bushels per acre, if the weather cooperates, he says.

The future

ISU and ISA officials expect the “special” relationship between the entities to only get stronger to the benefit of Iowa soybean farmers. Wintersteen attributes past success to strong communication between farmers and ISU researchers. “It boils down in the end to: is our approach to research relevant to Iowa farmers? Without relevancy, the farmer doesn’t have any need or desire to invest their checkoff dollars into programs at Iowa State,” Wintersteen says. “Our incredibly strong connection is growing stronger every day with the discussion of the proposed Iowa Soybean Research Center.” Leeds says the center will take soybean research and disseminating information

to a new level. It will lead to more relevant, deeper and timely communications between the public and private sectors pertaining to soybean management and emerging disease and pest issues. The center will provide a more disciplined approach when it comes to funding and identifying research needs, Leeds says. “At the end of the day, farmers need to be profitable in soybean production,” he says. “During this time of incredible international demand … I anticipate the focus on and importance of research will increase, not reduce.” Thanks to the dedication of ISU scientists and the “great” support of the ISA, Tylka believes research will help farmers --- weather permitting --- to annually surpass the 50-bushel-per-acre barrier. He’s confident continued research will further diminish the threat of SCN and other known diseases and pests. Tylka also says scientists have their eye on emerging problems like soybean vein necrosis virus, brown marmorated stink bug and kudzu bug. “It’s nice to know we have people in place and funding we can count on from the Iowa Soybean Association to meet those needs,” Tylka says.

1964 Combined acres:

4.3 million Total bushels:

121 million Valued at:

312 million

2012 Combined acres:

9.3 million Total bushels:

414 million Valued at:

6 billion

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Your ISA…

Service at its Best By Rex Hoppes

The Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) producer services team takes pride in developing personal relationships with soybean farmers to enhance the success of the association and improve the profitability of our members. We serve as the direct conduit between members and their association, nurturing engagement with members in Iowa’s nine crop districts. Our goal is to build a strong network of ISA members and farmers who, through their engagement, will continue to lead the association and the success of Iowa’s soybean farmers. One staffer at ISA coined the term of “cross functional involvement” to describe the role of Producer Services. While that may sound a bit technical, it aptly describes our function. We strive to keep abreast of ISA’s tremendous programs and activities and inform and involve our members. This begins with making personal connections with farmers and to provide them with opportunities to serve in programs and activities that interest them. Every day brings a new opportunity in learning and, more importantly, conveying that information to soybean farmers. We have the privilege of making farm visits throughout the year to meet farmers and discuss the issues in person. You will likely also see one of us in the near future at a Crop Advantage Series meeting, a county banquet, trade show or local meeting in your area.

We work with all the departments at ISA to support their programs. Sometimes this means setting up and coordinating events like policy meetings or hosting trade teams to assist the work of the market development team. The On-Farm Network® and Environmental Programs & Services teams provide us with information and opportunities for farmer engagement to improve environmental performance and profitability. We also work closely with the ISA communications and marketing teams to consistently and effectively share the association’s message on key topics and activities. While working with ISA’s various activities, our most important task is connecting farmers into their key areas of interest. This includes working with our District Advisory Councils (DAC) and getting to know them and their needs. DAC members are farmers willing to serve in supporting and enhancing ISA’s direction through advice and interaction. We arrange some activities specific to DACs each year including leadership growth opportunities, family activities and arranging informational meetings. Most importantly, we invite DAC members to provide guidance to our ISA leadership. By facilitating this interaction, we encourage leadership development and member ownership in the association and their checkoff investment. Our team also encourages the further development of DAC

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members who may wish to continue on in ISA leadership as future board members, both on the state and national levels within the soybean family. Building meaningful relationships while networking with outstanding farmers and agriculture influencers is why we enjoy our role on the producer services team. We take great pride in being the first personal link from ISA to its members and look forward to meeting you and working with you to expand opportunities and deliver results for Iowa soybean farmers. As always, if you have questions or would like more information about your ISA, please contact any of us: Kayla Reiter in eastern Iowa kreiter@iasoybeans.com Amy Tlach in central Iowa atlach@iasoybeans.com Rex Hoppes in north central Iowa rhoppes@iasoybeans.com Carrie Kelly in western Iowa ckelly@iasoybeans.com

OC .

I OW A

YBEAN A

Es t. 1964

ing

YEARS

farm

Our planet is in good hands with Iowa’s farmers.

Today, Iowa farmers are increasing productivity and profits supported by information available from the Iowa Soybean Association. We invest in production research, environmental prgrams, and expanding markets. ISA experts help farmers improve their economic, agronomic, and environmental performance using tested, sciencebased tools and strategies. The data derived from water sampling and field trials provides an immense business value to each farmer — documenting cost control opportunities, yield management enhancements, environmental improvements — while also demonstrating the leadership of soybean growers throughout the industry who continue to champion America’s sustainability advocacy.

Soybean production increased in Iowa from 110 million bushels in 1964 to near more than 400 million bushels today!

iasoybeans.com