February 2021 | Iowa Soybean Review by Iowa Soybean Association

IOWA

SOYBEAN February 2021

NEW USES: SOY TRANSFORMS INNOVATION

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President Jeff Jorgenson, Sidney | D7 President Elect Robb Ewoldt, Davenport | D6 Treasurer Dave Walton, Wilton | D6

February 2021 | Vol. 33, No. 5

Iowa Soybean Review is published eight times a year by: Iowa Soybean Association 1255 SW Prairie Trail Parkway, Ankeny, Iowa 50023 (515) 251-8640 | iasoybeans.com E-mail: aclinton@iasoybeans.com For advertising information in the Iowa Soybean Review, please contact Larson Ent. LLC (515) 440-2810 or Dave@LarsonentLLC.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.

Importance of Soy Soybean uses limited

only by our imagination.

Biodiesel Boost

City of Ames on track to reduce carbon footprint.

Beyond Consumer Trends Fitting conservation into prof itability.

On-Demand Research From scouting to pest concerns, website covers the bases.

On the Cover: Brian Keierleber, an engineer for Buchanan County, has been a proponent of innovative solutions to keep roadways in good condition. Buchanan County recently used PoreShield, a soy-based product, to slow weather-related damage.

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 3

Executive Insights A Conversation with Kirk Leeds, ISA Chief Executive Off icer kleeds@iasoybeans.com

Topic: New Uses Frame the topic of new uses. It’s about moving soybeans. ISA’s directors are always thinking about what we can do to increase market opportunities and demand. New uses are a part of that discussion. That might mean rediscovering things we attempted 70 years ago, like the first diesel engine powered by peanut oil. Since then, we’ve pursued many ways to use vegetable oil in all kinds of products. Now, we have better science and technology to accelerate these projects.

Henry Ford is often part of the conversation about new uses for soybeans. Why? Back in the 1920s and early 30s, Henry Ford built a soybean lab near the Ford Motor plant in Deerfield, Michigan. In that lab, a team looked at diversifying ag crops into other products. The focus quickly turned to soybeans because of their composition and versatility. Soon, the team was developing plastics, upholstery and fuels while also studying opportunities to increase protein consumption. Ford often remarked that he would be remembered more for what he did for soybeans than the auto industry.

What was the genesis of Ford’s fascination with soybeans? Growing up on a dairy farm, Ford wasn’t fond of the labor that came with ag production. He wanted to diversify from the labor intensity of farming to

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mechanization and innovation. That evolution would create greater demand for ag products. Ford urged farmers to have one leg in industry and the other in agriculture. Only by bringing the two together could you sustain markets for ag products. Ford was clearly ahead of his time in thinking broadly about the role of soybeans and developing additional market opportunities for the oilseed.

What happened to Ford’s soybean lab? Years ago, Iowa partnered with the Michigan Soybean Board to reopen the lab and tell the story of soybeans through his eyes. It’s part of Greenfield Village, a thriving destination for all who are intrigued by Ford’s obsession with innovation.

How is ISA innovating the use of soy? We’ve funded research into how to use the molecules in soybean oil for application in other products. Modifying soybean oil holds tremendous promise, from creating healthier products for human consumption to incorporating it in the manufacturing of a wide variety of products — from tires, carpets and artificial turf to paints, solvents and biodiesel.

How do new uses fit within the larger soybean product portfolio? Nearly a third of soybean oil produced is used in biodiesel while 98% of soybean meal is fed to livestock, poultry and fish. If you

include biodiesel and aquaculture feed, the “new uses” category is indeed creating demand and adding value to the price of every bushel of soybeans. Additional applications – from plastics and solvents to carpet and turf – represent a relatively slight piece of the overall soybean market. But it’s the growth you’re looking for because more demand adds value.

What challenges exist for broadening the use of soybean oil? Anything made from petrochemicals can theoretically be made from soybean oil. But is it economical and can you support claims that it is more sustainable? Regardless of the application, new products must be cost competitive. They must also be proven to work as good, if not better, than the alternative. It’s often more difficult to replace an existing product than create a new one.

Does that represent an opportunity for the soybean checkoff? Yes. Most companies prefer to remain with the tried and true rather than invest time and money in developing new products. Historically, this includes tire manufacturers and asphalt companies. If you’re building 40 miles of road, do you really want to be the first to try soybean oil instead of a proven petroleum-based product? Probably not, as there are liability issues and significant costs to being wrong. It takes time and money to demonstrate that new products will work. The soybean checkoff is well-suited for this work and has a proven track record of bringing concepts to reality.

Full-Circle Return ERS M R FA

HERE’S HOW THE SOY CHECKOFF WORKS. The national soy checkoff was created as part of the 1990 Farm Bill. The Act & Order that created the soy checkoff requires that all soybean farmers pay into the soy checkoff at the first point of purchase. These funds are then used for promotion, research and education at both the state and national level.

TO ELEVATORS, PROCES S N A SOR L BE S& L E S

DEA LER S

1/2 of 1% of the total selling price collected per the national soybean act & order

0.5%

Half goes to the state checkoff for investment in areas that are a priority for that state.

PROMOTION

RESEARCH

EDUCATION

ROI TO THE FA RMER by 73 volunteer soybean farmers, the United Soybean Board * Led (USB) invests and leverages soy checkoff dollars to MAXIMIZE PROFIT OPPORTUNITIES for all U.S. soybean farmers.

unitedsoybean.org

Half goes to the national checkoff for investment in USB’s* long-range strategic plan.

Policy Update Michael Dolch, ISA Director of Public Affairs, MDolch@iasoybeans.com

Think Big. Deliver Big. Win Big. Think Big. Over several magazine columns now, we have explored various markets and initiatives shaping the soybean sector, probably none more than biodiesel production. With demand revving up for soybean oil, I expressed optimism last month in my column, “All Gas, No Brakes” that the best was yet to come. Well, I am here to tell you that the Iowa Soybean Association is thinking big. Iowa and Gov. Kim Reynolds are thinking big. How big, you ask? What if I told you there is now a framework and pathway for increasing biodiesel consumption in the state by more than 203 million gallons and generating an additional 135 million bushels of soybean demand by 2026 while driving down feed costs for the state’s livestock producers? Yes, that big. The question remains, how do we get there?

Deliver Big. Gov. Reynolds recently introduced legislation that would establish

biofuel standards for fuel sold across Iowa, aiming to accelerate the statewide adoption of higher biofuel blends, including E15 and B20. More specifically, the legislation would set an 11% minimum biodiesel standard for diesel fuel sold beginning in 2022. The biodiesel standard would ramp up to B20 during the warmer months in 2024 and later. In addition to $5 million built into the Governor’s budget proposal, the bill adds $5 million from the general fund for the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP). Reforms in the bill more than offset the increase in RFIP funding, leaving tens of millions of additional tax dollars in the state’s general fund. The governor’s proposal also codifies changes to the state’s fleet. It would require all diesel vehicles be compatible to B20 and direct state agency heads to better track employee usage of higher blends of biofuels within the state fleet. Iowa is already a leading state in soybean, biodiesel, corn and ethanol

production. Why not also lead the country in biofuels policy, and in doing so, lead a revival of Iowa’s economy in the wake of the coronavirus. This pathway would provide a stable and reliable market for Iowa farmers, boost farm income, spur economic activity and grow thousands of jobs across the state. It would also address climate, carbon and clean air the Iowa way, preempting coastal calls for electric vehicles that would devastate agriculture and our economy.

Win Big. Over the next several weeks and months, the ISA and Iowa Biodiesel Board will team up with farmers and other renewable fuel proponents to advance the legislation through various committees and chambers. We look forward to partnering with you in this effort. Should the proposal eventually land on the governor’s desk for signature, Iowa farmers, retailers, consumers and our environment stand to win big.

Want more policy insights that you can trust? Advocate members of the Iowa Soybean Association receive regular email updates on policy and regulatory movement in Des Moines, Washington, D.C., and other places where an Iowa soybean farmer’s bottom line stands to be affected. The bottom line: We are Driven To Deliver and strive to be worthy of your time and trust, always. Visit iasoybeans.com to become an ISA Advocate today.

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unitedsoybean.org

MAINTAINING OUR REPUTATION TO DELIVER

Whether shipping by river, road or rail, the soy checkoff is committed to ensuring America’s infrastructure is a significant advantage for U.S. soybean farmers. We’re looking inside the bean, beyond the bushel and around the world to keep preference for U.S. soy strong. And it’s helping make a valuable impact for soybean farmers like you. See more ways the soy checkoff is maximizing profit opportunities for soybean farmers at unitedsoybean.org

Brought to you by the soy checkoff. ©2018 United Soybean Board. Our Soy Checkoff and the Our Soy Checkoff mark are trademarks of United Soybean Board. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 7

REGISTER NOW FOR MARCH WEBINARS! Introducing ISA's I N N O V A T I O N T O G O S E R I E S brought to you by the Research Center for Farming Innovation

MARCH 9 & 11:

8:00-9:00 a.m on Zoom

iasoybeans.com/innovation2go

Kickstart your 2021 growing season by participating in ISA’s INNOVATION TO GO RCFI webinars. Get the inside scoop on how to put the RCFI team to work on your farm, results of just-completed enhanced nutrient and cover crop management studies and how a cropping-systems approach can drive increased soybean productivity and profitability on your farm!

Funded by the soybean checkoff.

your

cooperative

soybean processor

www.agp.com

BIODIESEL DEMAND FOR SOYBEAN OIL HAS GROWN...

...IN THE LAST DECADE.

Gaining Traction on New Uses Soybeans offer an abundant and renewable supply of ingredients, making it possible for companies to reduce petroleum content in commercial and industrial products. The checkoff partners with manufacturers to commercialize soy-based products, giving consumers even more opportunities to buy products that contain U.S. soy.

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 11

Importance of Soy What are soybeans used for?

Products made from soybeans touch everyday life in countless ways. About 60% of U.S. soybeans are exported around the world, while the rest are processed here. But regardless of where they are used, the vast majority are crushed to separate the protein and oil in the bean.

Animal Nutrition Animal agriculture produces high-quality protein in the form of dairy, meat, poultry, fish and eggs. But much of that protein started as soy. According to a study funded by the soy checkoff, the soybean meal fed in the U.S. goes to several segments of animal agriculture.

POULTRY EATS ABOUT 64%. Beef and dairy cattle use just over 10%.

PIGS CONSUME NEARLY 24%. The rest goes to aquatic farming like fish and shrimp, other farm animals and companion animals like horses and pets.

GLOBAL ANIMAL AGRICULTURE IS THE NO. 1 CUSTOMER FOR U.S. SOYBEANS.

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SOY OIL IS A SOURCE OF OMEGA-3 AND VITAMIN E WITH ZERO TRANS FATS. Bottles of pure vegetable oil, salad dressings, spreads and more contain soybean oil.

Human Nutrition People need high-quality protein. Soybeans deliver a vegetable protein option in many forms. Most of the time, foods incorporate soy after the beans have been crushed. Soybean meal provides protein in foods like protein bars, meat alternatives and soy milk. The FDA has reviewed research that says 25 grams of soy protein a day, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease. Food companies are permitted to use that claim on labels. Soybean oil remains the most common vegetable oil in the U.S. and is often labeled and sold as vegetable oil. Of the soybean oil used in the U.S., 54.3% goes to the food industry.

U.S. CONSUMERS USED NEARLY 2 BILLION GALLONS OF BIODIESEL IN 2017. Soybean oil accounts for about half the feedstock used to produce biodiesel.

TOFU IS A NUTRITIOUS PROTEIN OPTION.

SOY ALLOWS MANUFACTURERS TO REPLACE PETROLEUMBASED MATERIALS WHILE INCREASING PERFORMANCE.

High oleic soybean oil excels in high-heat uses like frying.

Uses for soy-based products continue to expand — from flooring and roofing products to candles and personal care items.

EDAMAME IS SOYBEANS PICKED WHILE STILL GREEN. Tempeh is made from fermented soybeans and carries similar nutritional benefits to tofu.

Industrial Uses Soybean oil and meal can replace petroleum and other volatile ingredients in many industrial and consumer products. The primary example is biodiesel, a cleaner-burning, renewable alternative to petroleum diesel. Biodiesel blended into diesel used in the U.S. transportation fuel supply reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 86%. It also eases dependence on fossil fuels often refined from foreign oil.

Resource: United Soybean Board

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 13

Biodiesel Boost BY BETHANY BARATTA

Rich Iverson, fleet support manager for the City of Ames

City of Ames on track to reduce carbon footprint

hen the Ames City Council saw the results of a community greenhouse gas emissions inventory, it challenged each department to look at how they could positively affect the city’s carbon footprint. The fleet department found a solution in its own backyard: biodiesel.

Meeting carbon reduction goals A study in Ames between 2014 and 2018 showed a 4% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in its fleet department by using E85 and vehicles with increased efficiencies. Understanding the city’s goals, Renewable Energy Group (REG) approached the city about using greater amounts of biodiesel in city fleets to see if that could positively impact the city’s carbon footprint. 14 | FEBRUARY 2021 | IASOYBEANS.COM

“We identified a few years ago that the city was really progressive in terms of things it was trying to do to combat climate change,” says Jon Scharingson, executive director of sales and marketing for REG. “Fleets within the City of Ames – as they are in a lot of municipalities around the country – are one of the many contributors of greenhouse gas emissions. It was natural for us to partner in the medium- and heavy-duty trucking category, where our solution works particularly well.” Through a Diesel Emissions Reduction Act grant from the National Biodiesel Foundation that provided financial assistance, they introduced Vector System technology from Pittsburgh-based Optimus Technologies for the pilot project, which allows trucks to operate on 100% biodiesel (B100).

Rich Iverson, fleet support manager for the City of Ames, scoped out the opportunity. If REG’s biodiesel and Optimus Technologies’ Vector System were a winning combination for city fleets in Washington, D.C., and Chicago, they could also work in Ames, he thought. The Ames City Council was supportive of the project, so with assistance from REG and the grant through the National Biodiesel Foundation, the city tested the technology in five city snowplows, costing about $13,000 per truck.

Putting biodiesel to the test Within one week of receiving the new snowplows in January 2020, Ames was slammed with a major snowstorm and subzero temperatures. But the B100 from Ames-based REG combined with Optimus Technologies’ Vector System performed flawlessly.

“We really put it to the test,” Iverson says. “In one weekend, the fleet department used 1,000 gallons of B100, and our drivers reported no issues in the trucks' operations.” This comes as no surprise to Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) Director Dave Walton. “It proves that the biodiesel industry has a quality product,” says Walton. “It’s not the biodiesel we saw 20 years ago and had some bad experiences with. This is a really quality fuel.”

Technology The Vector System starts and shuts down the engine on conventional diesel, operating on biodiesel only after the engine and fuel system achieve optimal operating conditions, says Colin Huwyler, CEO of Optimus Technologies. “The technology stemmed from the idea that there needs to be solutions for reducing emissions in heavy duty vehicles,” says Huwyler, who started the company in 2010. “There’s a lot of talk and work done in electrification, which works for passenger vehicles, but there weren’t great alternative fuel solutions for snowplows and other heavy duty vehicles. We wanted to build technology that

could be integrated into fleet operations— something operators wouldn’t have to think twice about.” Thanks to the new technology, the city’s five trucks equipped with the Vector system burned about 10% of the city's total annual diesel consumption. The city reduced 120 metric tons of emissions.

Expanding gains Because of the success the fleet department saw with expanded use of biodiesel in 2020, the Ames City Council supported Iverson’s ask to expand usage in 2021. With seven new Vectorequipped trucks on order, Iverson projects a further reduction in carbon emissions this year. “We’re looking at quadrupling the reduction over the 2018 figure with about a 260 to 270 metric ton-reduction in carbon intensity,” Iverson says. “That’s huge for us.” Other cities have reached out to the City of Ames to see how they, too, can benefit from the biodiesel-technology duo. Huwyler credits the biodiesel industry and REG for reaching out for the opportunity in Ames. “As municipalities and consumers and other corporations demand more sustainability options and larger carbon reductions, biodiesel has been glossed over

because it’s been around, but in low-blend levels,” Huwyler says. “Soybean farmers specifically have helped reinvigorate the idea that biodiesel can be a solution.” It is the solution, Walton says. “For any municipality thinking about how to make their cities greener, biodiesel is part of the solution. It’s a matter of fueling up with biodiesel instead of petroleum,” Walton says.

Better. Cleaner. Now. The National Biodiesel Board’s (NBB) biodiesel tagline: “Better. Cleaner. Now!” reflects the positive attributes of the product. Biodiesel has nearly 80% fewer life cycle greenhouse gas emissions than petroleum diesel, according to NBB. Recent studies show that biodiesel production supports soybean prices by as much as $1 per bushel through increased demand for soybean oil. And biodiesel is available now. “In the medium- and heavy-duty trucking category, which includes snow plows and larger vehicles, electrification is not a viable solution in the next 7 to 10 years,” Scharingson says. “And the planet simply cannot wait. Every day, more CO2 emitted into the atmosphere, causing damage. B100 technology provides an immediate solution that fleets can implement today.” Contact Bethany Baratta at bbaratta@iasoybeans.com.

REG and Optimus Technologies allow snowplows in Ames to operate on B100 biodiesel.

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Use Soy for That BY LAUREN HOUSKA

Ken Budke, owner of Natural Soy Products in Brooklyn

Soy helps make everyday products perform better

ow would you respond if someone asked, “What’s so great about soy products?” It’s true that soybean oil is one of the most versatile of the natural oils. Its molecular structure and suitable fatty acid profile can be readily modified for many applications. But science jargon isn’t always the best way to get a point across. So, how about these quick facts? Soybean oil is … • Able to meet or exceed the performance of petroleum in many products. • Readily available and grown right here in the U.S. • Environmentally friendly and biodegradable. • Affordable.

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Helping Companies Deliver Iowa-based Natural Soy Products manufactures soy-biobased fifthwheel grease containing 67% soy oil. It displaces the petroleum found in traditional fifth wheel grease. According to the company, the average over-the-road semi tractortrailer uses about 20 pounds of fifthwheel grease in a year. With about 2 million semis rolling across America’s highways, they alone represent an estimated 40 million pounds of fifthwheel grease use each year. Switching their fleet of 81 tractortrailers to this locally produced product has helped Iowa-based grocer Fareway Stores, Inc. meet sustainability goals without sacrificing performance or cost. “I’m very impressed with the biobased fifth-wheel grease,” says Mark

Wyrick, director of fleet management for Fareway Stores, Inc. “It’s comparable in performance and cost to the petroleum-based product we had been using.” For the team at Fareway Stores, Inc., a family-owned business with Iowa roots, supporting farmers and the local economy is also a top priority. “Being from Iowa, we are interested in supporting the local farmers who grow soybeans and choosing products that are better for the environment,” Wyrick adds. “This product fits the bill.” This grease is also recognized as a qualified product in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) BioPreferred program. USDA assists federal government agencies to increase their purchase and use of biobased products.

Natural Soy Product’s fifth-wheel grease has also recently been put to work in Washington, D.C., for DC Water’s fleet, which distributes drinking water and collects and treats wastewater for more than 672,000 residents and 17.8 million annual visitors in the District of Columbia. Natural Soy Products manufactures and sells more than 70 lubricants, cleaners, sealers, grease and other products, including SoySeal Ultra, which was approved for use by the Iowa Department of Transportation in July 2020. This product is absorbed into the pores near the concrete’s surface, creating a hydrophobic barrier which blocks water and salt.

Hitting the road Speaking of roads, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company introduced the Goodyear Assurance ComfortDrive in 2020 – the company’s fourth line of soy-based tires. The United Soybean Board (USB) supported Goodyear research that discovered soybean oil could improve tire flexibility at low temperatures, helping the rubber remain pliable in cold weather and enhancing traction in rain and snow simultaneously. “Issues related to sustainability and enhancing soil health and water quality are talked about more frequently, and U.S. soybean farmers are leading in that space,” says Iowa Soybean Association member Tom Oswald, who was reelected to USB in December. “Partnerships on soy-based products drive domestic demand and help tell the story of U.S. soy.” Goodyear’s sustainability goals outlined in their Corporate Responsibility Report say the company plans to fully replace petroleumderived oils by 2040. For those who would rather hit the road for a run, you can now do

so with soy-based rubber technology in Skechers footwear. Thanks to their collaboration with The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, the door to a new market for U.S.-grown soybeans has been opened. Skechers’ soybased shoes are available in stores and online in the Skechers GOrun collection.

Protecting your home or business Daily expansion and contraction is critical to roof performance and longevity. As a roof ages, oil dries causing asphalt roof shingles to become brittle and break. Roof Maxx is a scientifically formulated treatment derived from soybean oil. Soy-Fusion Technology enables millions of microbeads of soybean oil to quickly penetrate brittle asphalt shingles, rejuvenating the asphalt and restoring flexibility. The Keokuk County Farm Bureau brought in Roof Maxx to treat its facility’s roof in 2019. “We know it’s soybean-based, which is a good thing for Farm Bureau members, as we’re all farmers,” says Ryan Vogel, who was county president at the time. “The more we can use our product and help ourselves the better.” “One of the deciding factors was also the cost savings,” Vogel adds. Roof Maxx restores the flexibility and water repelling qualities in roofing shingles to extend the useful life for 5 to 10 years — or even 15 years with additional applications. Treatment with Roof Maxx is 100% safe for people, pets, property and the environment. The company says work is completed in an hour, with no mess, for a fraction of the cost of a new roof. Contact Lauren Houska at lhouska@iasoybeans.com.

Natural Soy Products in Brooklyn has a wide range of cleaning solutions that utilize soy as an ingredient.

READERS ENGAGE!

How do you use soy in your daily life or business? Let us know at iasoybeans.com/UseSoy to be entered to win a soy candle. IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 17

A Concrete Solution

Brian Keierleber, engineer for Buchanan County

BY ANN THELEN

Preserving Iowa’s infrastructure with soy-based PoreShield

owa's weather takes a toll on the state’s bridges and highways. Water, deicers, salt and chemicals are the enemies of concrete structures, leading to cracks, potholes and overall degradation. Once the network of concrete pores is compromised, the strength of the pavement deteriorates. There are 24,043 bridges in Iowa, and only six states – including California and Texas – have more. At first glance, that may seem like a statistic that earns the Hawkeye State bragging rights. However, another fact tells another story. Iowa ranks No. 1 in structurally deficient bridges, and the condition of the bridge decking factors into the results. But thanks to soybean farmers, checkoff research and innovation, PoreShield – a soy-based concrete durability enhancer – has hit the

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pavement as a promising solution for preserving the safety and integrity of concrete. First developed in Indiana, Iowabased Natural Soy Products also recently began manufacturing and selling PoreShield. Every gallon of the product uses one bushel of soybeans, making this new product development a benefit for Iowa’s soybean farmers.

A resilient barrier PoreShield works by providing a durable barrier for resisting the impacts of water seeping into concrete and the stress of the freeze and thaw cycles, explains Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition. “If there is trauma to the concrete, PoreShield can be applied over the cracks, and it will fill in the gaps and

provide a barrier,” says Steenhoek. “Ideally, PoreShield will be applied on new concrete for maximum long-term impact; however, there are enormous benefits at any application time.” More than a decade ago, Purdue University partnered with the Indiana Soybean Alliance and began researching Soy Methyl Ester as an environmentally friendly, longlasting solution to preserving concrete surfaces, old or new. Much like Iowa, transportation officials in Indiana grappled with the costly implications of repairing and replacing concrete. PoreShield enhances the durability of concrete and provides more than 10 years of protection. A cleaner alternative to petroleum-based applications, it’s also safer because personal protective equipment is not needed when spraying the product.

Iowa DOT-approved resource After becoming familiar with the product's enormous attributes, Steenhoek shared information with the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT). “The Iowa DOT tested and evaluated PoreShield, and last summer approved its use in Iowa,” he says. Brian Keierleber, an engineer for Buchanan County, is a strong proponent of PoreShield. With 260 bridges in this Iowa county of 573 square miles, effective and economical products are imperative. “There aren’t enough funds to replace all the bridges that need replaced,” says Keierleber. “We must concentrate on preserving the life of our bridges by stopping, or slowing down, water and moisture from eroding the concrete.” Keierleber says the county has tried different products in the past with, little success. “PoreShield is economical and environmentally friendly,” he says. “It’s also nice to know we’re using a renewable resource that’s produced locally.”

Miles and bushels of opportunities In 2020, Natural Soy Products began manufacturing and selling PoreShield from its Brooklyn facility in Poweshiek County. While it’s primarily being sold in Iowa, the market potential is wide open. PoreShield is ideal for states that

freeze, thaw and require de-icing. For coastal regions with heavy salt content, PoreShield reduces absorption of water and ion diffusion. “The impact PoreShield creates for Iowa farmers and agricultural businesses in the state is huge,” explains Jeff Gard with Natural Soy Products. “Because it’s a 95-97% natural product, safety is a significant benefit, along with its ability to protect vital infrastructure against the impacts of weather.” One gallon of PoreShield covers 180 square feet of bridge decking. On average, PoreShield utilizes 200 bushels of soybeans per mile of two-lane bridge treatment. That’s equivalent of almost four acres of soybeans. Considering how many miles of concrete control joints and square feet of bridge decking there are in Iowa and beyond, it equates to a substantial new market for soybeans. This is welcome news for Warren Bachman, who farms with his son near Osceola. “The soybean checkoff is important in finding these new uses,” says Bachman, who also serves as a District 8 Director with the Iowa Soybean Association. “PoreShield has great potential because of all the miles of concrete in our state. It’s exciting to think about how many bushels of soybeans could eventually be used by this product,” he adds.

“It’s exciting to think about how many bushels of soybeans could eventually be used by this product.” — Warren Bachman, farmer from Osceola

A bridge treated with PoreShield. The soy-based product creates a barrier that prevents moisture from seeping into the road surface where it could cause potential damage. IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 19

Kevin McGrain inspects his solar panels on his farm near Hornick.

Beyond Consumer Trends BY KATIE JAMES

Fitting conservation into profitability

hen Kevin McGrain started farming no-till in 1996, his neighbors watched from afar, expecting the seemingly crazy practice to fail. But on McGrain’s farm, failure would have looked like doing nothing at all in the face of extreme erosion. Now, 25 years later, the Hornickarea soybean, corn and cattle farmer reaps the benefits of better soil health, stronger weed control, more dollars and more time. A crucial practice at the backbone of his farm, cover crops and solar panels now add to the sustainability of his row-crop operation. “I don’t think consumers know how we’ve been improving the ways we farm for decades now,” says McGrain. “The conservation practices we do now would have blown my father’s mind 40 years ago.” Consumer trends have indicated

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an increasing desire for product sustainability, from fashion to farming. This eco-driven mindset influences purchasing decisions, according to the Iowa Food & Family Project’s annual Consumer Pulse Survey. 43% of Iowa consumers rated the conservation practices farmers implement as either “somewhat” or “very” important in their grocery shopping decision making. For Perry-area farmer Tom Vincent, sustainability is a buzzword, but it does the job of getting consumers to think about agriculture. “If you’re a consumer concerned about greenhouse gases, the no-till farmer has a great story to tell,” says Vincent, who also serves as a director on the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) board. “We’re growing better crops and sequestering more carbon through better farming practices.”

Many in-field conservation practices McGrain and Vincent employ not only contribute to soil and water health but also pave the way for stronger yields and better profitability. “I try to be a good steward, but at the end of the day, there has to be a business component to it,” says McGrain. “I have to run my business, and I can’t keep it going if I don’t think about numbers.”

The business of conservation For the ISA Research Center for Farming Innovation, conservation and profitability go hand in hand. “As we work with farmers across Iowa, the goal is to always be better and to look for ways to continually improve,” says Todd Sutphin, sr. research program manager who oversees ISA’ field services team. “It’s about advancing overall performance.”

Sutphin and the field services team work to approach farming innovation holistically. He says profitability, agronomy and conservation create wellrounded operations. This trifecta, Vincent argues, is what defines sustainability. “The higher yields I can achieve on my land area that is well-suited for production agriculture, then theoretically, the less land that may be considered fragile or provides habitat needs to be put into production to grow the food, fuel and fiber the world needs,” says the central Iowa soybean and corn farmer. “And when farmers are profitable, we can keep going and make investments like bioreactors and other projects to contribute back to the environment long term.” The Iowa Food & Family Project’s survey shows an additional 51% of Iowa grocery shoppers rate “how food is grown and raised” as an important part of their decision-making. The checkoffdriven ISA research team points out that while in-field conservation practices certainly have a positive impact on soil

and water, the edge-of-field and other value-added practices farmers employ contribute back to their farms and overall environment.

Beyond the field An ISA field services team member says one of his many roles is helping farmers incorporate habitat into their operations. “Production agriculture has to be attentive to management on multiple fronts, including crop protection products and the risk they carry on species,” says Corey McKinney, ISA field services program manager. “This is why ISA is working on incorporating habitat into operations while maintaining productivity and profitability.” McKinney works to establish targeted habitat like pollinator plots and restore oxbows, which are c-shaped, off-channel wetlands home to many native Iowa species. This work comes at no cost to farmers. Nearly 30 habitat sites across Iowa have been restored or are in the planning process for work this year. “Conservation practices are not done

all at once,” reminds Sutphin. “I like to look at it as a continuum. It’s our job at ISA to help farmers along that continuum and to know that not all innovation is going to work and not every practice is suited for every farm.” While consumers push for more sustainable practices in every industry – including agriculture – farmers face the reality that conservation is easier when dollars are available. Programs like the newly established Soil & Water Outcomes Fund – a subsidiary of ISA – pays farmers on a per-acre basis for environmental outcomes related to water quality, soil health and carbon sequestration help. McGrain’s long-term message to consumers is that he, and most farmers, try to be better every single year. “I want people to look at my farm and say, ‘That’s the right way to do things’,” he says. “I want them to know my farm is more environmentally friendly than it was a decade ago or even five years ago and that it will only keep getting better.” Contact Katie James at kjames@iasoybeans.com.

“The conservation practices we do now would have blown my father’s mind 40 years ago.” — Kevin McGrain, Hornick

McGrain farms no-till and uses cover crops and solar panels to improve his farm’s viability, profitability and environmental footprint.

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 21

Diving into soybean quality Survey, campaign show U.S. soy advantage BY BETHANY BARATTA

oybeans contain protein and soybean oil. But the percentage of each component varies year to year depending on the geographical area in which the soybeans are grown and the weather during the growing season. A survey conducted by the University of Minnesota seeks to analyze the quality of the U.S. soybean crop. It’s one tool used to show the rest of the world how the U.S. fares annually regarding protein, oil and amino acid concentrations. Seth Naeve, associate professor and extension agronomist at the University of Minnesota, leads the efforts, sending paperwork and collection bags to selected U.S. soybean growers. The 2020 soybean quality survey largely reflected the effects of the weather in the Midwest – too much moisture, not enough moisture and everything in between.

2020 results Many of the 1,285 respondents to the survey noted their 2020 growing season began too wet and turned too dry during seed-fill stages. 22 | FEBRUARY 2021 | IASOYBEANS.COM

“When excessive rainfall early is coupled with drought conditions late in the season, significant reductions in protein content are often noted,” Naeve says. “These conditions were widespread in 2020 and likely resulted in a large portion of the protein-to-oil shift.” Naeve says protein and oil contents have an inverse relationship. When one value goes higher, the other goes lower. The results of the 2020 survey showed just that: lower protein content and higher soy oil concentration. The average protein content in the 2020 soybean crop was 33.2%, down 0.9 percentage point from the 2019 survey average and down 1.1 points compared to the prior 10-year average. Meanwhile, the average oil content for the 2020 soybean crop was 20.5%, up 1.5% from the 2019 crop. This was also up 1.6% compared with the prior 10-year average. “Both protein and oil smashed alltime record values based on survey data going back 34 years,” Naeve says. Average protein was nearly one

percentage point lower than the previous low of 34.1% (found in 2008, 2017, 2018 and 2019). However, oil was nearly one percentage point higher than the previous record high of 19.8% set in 2015. From the 206 samples sent from farmers in Iowa, the Iowa soybean crop averaged 32.8% protein, down from 33.5% in 2019. Oil content was 20.8%, up from 19.2% in 2019. All survey respondents receive a postcard after the results are finalized showing how their sample stacks up with others in their growing region and the U.S. Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) farmer-member Chris Gaesser’s sample was in line with the Iowa average, showing lower protein and higher oil content than his 2019 crop. He’s participated in the survey the past five years. “I’m very pro-research in general, but I’m also interested in learning how our soybeans vary year to year based upon the variability in growing conditions,” says Gaesser, who farms near Corning.

The survey results are fascinating but don’t impact his planting decisions, he says. “Until there’s some incentive to grow a specific quality or select for it, there aren’t a lot of reasons to change what we’re growing,” Gaesser says.

Survey history The American Soybean Association, United Soybean Board and U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) has supported the survey of the quality of the U.S. soybean crop since 1986. It’s intended to provide insight into off-the-farm new crop quality data to aid international customers with their purchasing decisions. “It started as a way to give our global customers, particularly those in Japan, a snapshot of what they might be expecting to receive for the upcoming year,” says Paul Burke, senior director of U.S. Soy marketing for USSEC. The information has been valuable to customers in Japan, where the U.S. has a 65% market share, according to USSEC.

Dare to compare While customers look to Naeve’s survey as one of the first impressions of the quality of the U.S. soybean crop, he says there are other measures of soybean value and quality, which also help international buyers make their purchasing decisions. USSEC conducted a survey of soybeans being loaded onto vessels for export, while also conducting the annual off-farm quality survey. The onvessel loading survey showed that U.S. soybeans averaged 34.24% protein and 19.34% oil. The USSEC Dare to Compare global digital marketing campaign takes Naeve’s survey one step further in providing information to soybean buyers. One component of the campaign shows the value of U.S. soy’s nutritional profile. A new meta-analysis quantifying the relationship between country of origin and the chemical composition, protein quality and nutritive value of soybean meal demonstrates the U.S. soy advantage over Argentina, Brazil and India. It reaffirms the importance

of considering country of origin when making purchasing decisions and formulating feed rations for swine and poultry diets. The Nutrient Value Calculator built by Genesis Feed Technologies builds on nutritional data to help traders and buyers better analyze the economic value of soybean meal in global markets. Feed millers should have great interest in this calculator as it factors in price, protein and other attributes like amino acids and energy. It’s a realtime comparison between various soy suppliers, Burke says. The calculator indicates that U.S. soybean meal could be a leading contributor to cost reduction in broiler diets. When comparing cost reductions with incorporation of data from the meta-analytical study, premiums that can be earned by using U.S. soybean meal in feed production range from $14.57 to $23.24 per metric ton over Argentine soybean meal and $2.48 to $10.26 per metric ton over Brazilian soybean meal, according to USSEC. “U.S. soy and soybean meal products offer a price advantage and rank first on a number of important nutritional attributes when compared to other origins, including remarkable amino acid and energy profiles,” Burke says. Contact Bethany Baratta at bbaratta@iasoybeans.com.

Dare to Compare:

With higher sucrose levels, a well-balanced amino-acid profile, higher digestibility, increased metabolizable energy and lower fiber content, protein quality traits are better for U.S. soybean meal than from other origins. Learn more about the Dare to Compare campaign at ussec.org.

Chris Gaesser notes that his soybeans were in line with the Iowa average for the survey, showing lower protein and higher oil.

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 23

On-Demand Research From scouting to pest concerns, website covers the bases BY HEATHER LILIENTHAL

s farmers make production decisions, they seek dependable and accessible data results from trusted research sources. The Soybean Research & Information Network (SRIN) website, www.soybeanresearchinfo.com serves as a one-stop, farmerfocused resource for soybean farmers in Iowa and across the country. To promote checkoff-funded production research, the United Soybean Board (USB) partnered with the North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP) to create the dynamic, online resource for farmers, researchers and industry professionals.

Dynamic return on investment This centralization of checkofffunded soybean research results and information drives soybean production and the industry forward. It focuses on raising awareness and demonstrating the effectiveness through success stories from farmers and researchers. As a northeast Iowa farmer, Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) director, and NCSRP board member, Suzanne Shirbroun says the SRIN website continues to be a trusted and often-used source on her operation, especially during pest and disease scouting season.

24 | FEBRUARY 2021 | IASOYBEANS.COM

“I can access an overview for each pest or disease, as well as scouting protocol and management tips,” explains Shirbroun. “Then, if I want more information, I can click on the sources listed. It’s a great opportunity to learn from several different university and industry experts.”

Evolving to meet farmer needs The information on SRIN continues to evolve. It now features state-specific statistics with interactive fact sheets where Iowa farmers, can learn about priority research funding areas, innovative research projects and success stories resulting from putting research into action. “The SRIN website is the source to find the best information available,” Shirbroun says. “The management tips are timely, so every soybean producer can be confident about the info gleaned from this site. This is a great use of our soybean checkoff dollars. It's an excellent resource to ‘favorite’ on the smart phone.”

Top Iowa Funding Areas • Breeding for improved genetic gain, yield potential and quality • Disease, insect and weed management • Integrated in-field and edge-of-field research • Integrated cropping systems solutions demonstrations, tech assistance and decision tools

Current f iscal year checkoff investment in production research

$3,911,000

Recent Projects • Integrating genomics/genetics, phenomics, breeding, engineering, pathology and entomology into accelerated soybean breeding programs • High-yielding soybean trials and real-time forecasting • Understanding soybean gall midge, an emerging insect pest • Improving CRISPR gene editing in soybeans

Checkoff Dollars at Work Innovations and success don’t happen overnight. A sustained investment in the highest priority, highest value, best coordinated and most effectively executed and communicated research and outreach brings significant value to farmers in the short- and long-term. A meaningful soybean checkoff research portfolio must be promoted and communicated substantively for farmer benefit, leveraged support and industry growth. Research investments span production, expanded and new uses and markets for food, feed, fuel and fiber.

Future of Production

Sweet Success One of the biggest success stories in Iowa as a result of research The formation of the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund. This fund brings new public and private partnerships to pay farmers for developing and implementing agronomic and conservation practices and inf rastructure. The goal is to increase prof itability while improving soil health, soil conservation, nutrient management, water quality and flood mitigation.

• Basic and applied research to expand existing uses and markets • Research to open new uses and markets for soybeans and soy products

SoybeanResearchInfo.com

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 25

Letters to the Editor Ann, Your January “The Last Word” column was another bullseye. As I began reading your descriptions of Mark I was already thinking about a northwest Iowa equivalent. Evan Wielenga leads the agronomy department at the Hull Co-op Association. He generates the kind of trust about which you wrote. In all of my dealings with Evan, it is clear that he views his primary role as that of partner and trusted advisor to the producers he serves. As you observed, there is no shortage of information out there for producers. Evan has developed several local research projects to validate university and industry research. From a producer’s perspective, having that locally validated research on planting dates, fungicide treatments, foliar feeding or variety selection builds that trust. It’s always about what makes economic and environmental sense for the producer, not what increases the volume for the Hull Co-op’s agronomy department. I’ll admit that we have come to expect that kind of trust as normal. And the really cool thing is that it is still quite common today. Growing up in the 1970s, my slightly younger cousin from “the city” enjoyed visits to the farm, spending weekends whenever she could, always curious and always asking questions about how things worked on the farm. One Saturday morning, I was the lucky one who got to head to town with my cousin as my co-pilot. We dumped a truckload of corn at the elevator, picked up several bags of pre-mix, picked up repair parts at the hardware store and pulled home a grain auger that had been in for repairs. On the way home Karmen asked, “Don’t you ever have to pay for anything?” It hadn’t occurred to me that it was unusual, but a normal small-town practice where everything got written down, and accounts were settled monthly. I hadn’t written a check, signed an invoice or swiped a card. I know that isn’t practical or even wise for every business, but I’m pleased to live in a place and do business with people where it still happens. David Krahling, Sioux Center, Iowa

If you have a comment about a story in the magazine, I want to hear about it. If you have thoughts about farming or agriculture in general, hit me up. It all matters to me. Ann Clinton

26 | FEBRUARY 2021 | IASOYBEANS.COM

Aclinton@iasoybeans.com

515-251-8640

The Last Word Editor’s Note by Ann Clinton aclinton@iasoybeans.com

Cardinals appear when angels are near

ill Shipley, Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) District 7 director, passed away from COVID-19 Nov. 20, 2020. He was 61. Bill was born into agriculture and spent his life dedicated to the industry. He and his wife Diane raised three children on their farm north of Nodaway in Adams County. They grew soybeans, corn, hogs, cattle and hay. Bill sold Pioneer seed for many years. I first got to know Bill when he joined ISA as a director nearly eight years ago. We became fast friends due to our southwest Iowa ties. He’d drive past my parents’ farm on his way into the city for board meetings, and I’d ask him if he waved when he went by. “Always,” he’d say. As an ISA director, Bill traveled the world promoting Iowa agriculture. He believed in the importance of establishing relationships with international soybean buyers. When he served as ISA president in 2017, he brought his passion for conservation to his leadership position. A few days after Bill’s death, I

was sitting at the kitchen table at my farmhouse thinking about him. I had just read his obituary and was feeling the sadness of his loss. Suddenly, a cardinal appeared on a tree branch outside the window. Do you believe in the old folklore that says cardinals are spiritual messengers? I do. I thanked Bill for the sign that all was well with him. But as I’ve thought more about it, I think he was just waving as he flew by. As we were creating content for this issue of the Iowa Soybean Review, Bill was on my mind. Just a few months before his death, he was in the office for business. I waved to him on my way down the hallway. He left his meeting and caught up with me. “I’ve been thinking about story ideas for you, Ann,” he said. “Do more stories about soybean new uses. And don’t be afraid to tell the story several times. Just because you tell it once doesn’t mean everyone will see it.” Therefore, this magazine is full of stories about new uses. It’s a fun topic to report on because we get a chance to highlight consumer products that

utilize soybeans in imaginative ways. But most importantly, new uses honor the ingenuity and creativity of farmers who are focused on longterm sustainability – farmers like Bill Shipley. Our soybean family mourns the loss of Bill, and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to remember him through this column. My heart hurts to think about the farmers you may have lost to COVID-19. If you’d like to share your story with me, I’d be honored to receive it. In the meantime, may you be blessed by a cardinal sighting and the peace its presence brings. Stay well, my friends.

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 27

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February 2021 | Iowa Soybean Review

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