Iowa Soybean Review | March 2021 by Iowa Soybean Association

IOWA

SOYBEAN March 2021

LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP: ISA HONORS SOY CONTRIBUTIONS

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

March 2021 | Vol. 33, No. 6

Leadership Runs in the Family ISA Leadership Awards are presented annually in recognition of outstanding service.

9 Steps to Higher Soybean Yields From variety selection to harvest loss protection, farmers take steps to strengthen yields.

Biodiesel Boost

Proposed legislation will expand usage of the soy-based fuel.

Inside the Minds of Iowa Grocery Shoppers Recent survey shows grocery shoppers adapt to COVID-19, remain trusting in agriculture.

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.

On the Cover: Lexi Marek received the ISA Rising Star Award in 2013, her sister received it in 2015. The Mareks, including an Iowa Soybean Association director and United Soybean Board director, Larry Marek, share a strong tradition of work on behalf of the soybean industry.

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 3

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

Creating a Legacy

he Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) recently recognized eight leaders for their contributions to the soybean industry. I encourage you to read about them and their accomplishments in this edition of Iowa Soybean Review. Also, please join me in thanking those who make our recognition of their efforts possible: West Bank, Agri-Drain, Bayer, Cargill, Champion Seed, Corteva, Farm Credit Services of America, John Deere and Stine Seed. As we celebrate these dedicated leaders, I’m mindful of how their efforts will contribute to the future success of our industry. After all, who doesn’t want to look forward? We’ve been hunkered down for several years dealing with a myriad of challenges. Trade disputes, pandemics, derechos, low soybean prices and profitability have taken their toll. But as a new growing season approaches, we look forward with resolve and renewed optimism. Several issues deserving attention:

Energy Momentum is underway in Iowa for renewables as the governor and legislature press for a biofuels minimum blend standard. We support the legislation. Increased biofuels usage creates demand for Iowa-grown soybeans, good-paying jobs in rural communities, cleaner air and less

reliance on petroleum imports. There’s also a lot of conversation about electric vehicles in the context of climate change and future limitations on oil exploration and fracking. What impact could the accelerated rise of electric vehicles have on biofuels (including renewable diesel) and thus, agriculture and the profitability of farmers? How might the need for more renewable diesel increase demand for vegetable oil (primarily soy), but negatively impact biodiesel production? Rest assured, ISA will be fully engaged on these issues.

Climate The new administration is incorporating climate-related initiatives throughout every department and agency. ISA has signature research and demonstration programs related to carbon sequestration. We’ve been working on the carbon issues for more than a decade, thanks to the foresight of soybean farmer leaders. Therefore, ISA and soybean growers are in a unique position to drive this issue in a way that’s beneficial for agriculture.

Collaborations Effective organizations reach out and involve others. No one person or association has all the good ideas. A priority for ISA is networking with other soybean states and our national organizations. We have

more in common than differences. As we think about strategic initiatives involving supply, demand, information and policy, we have refocused our efforts to ensure we’re doing things that complement and support similar efforts in other states. You maximize farmer involvement and the soybean checkoff when you take advantage of the power of partnerships.

Exports The number of disruptions in soybean exports over the past 3-4 years is unprecedented in my nearly 30 years with ISA. It took decades to build a highly successful export market with China. Then, nearly all sales were lost almost overnight when a trade war between China and the U.S. began in spring 2018. Sluggish sales continued for a couple of years, rebounding in 2020 with China purchasing record amounts of ag products, including soy. While China will likely continue purchasing large volumes of soy and other proteins, we can’t be overly dependent on one country for sales. The good news is that there are other export destinations that hold tremendous promise. They include Pakistan, Bangladesh, Europe, Mexico, Egypt, Canada and Southeast Asia. U.S. soy representatives are present and active in these locations, building relationships and a preference for the soybeans you grow.

Best wishes as you embark on a new season of soybean production. May it be a safe and successful one for you and your family. 4 | MARCH 2021 | IASOYBEANS.COM

unitedsoybean.org

INVESTING IN NEW MARKETS FOR U.S. SOY

From promoting the profitability of using high-quality soybean meal in India to training animal producers on nutrition in Colombia, the soy checkoff is working behind the scenes to develop more market opportunities for U.S. soy. 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.

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

Playing the Long Game

et into the game or go out of business. In the current digital and political climate when connecting with others has never been easier or more important, policy advocacy is not simply about steaks and handshakes anymore. By no means am I dismissing the importance of the traditional lobbyist or issue advocate. Their role in building and maintaining personal relationships every day cannot be overstated. But there is so much more to a successful public affairs effort these days. What congressional policy staff and elected officials need today more than ever is air cover. Put another way, they need grassroots support for their position and an ally that captures, educates, engages and nurtures the effort along. This is the driving force behind the Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) year-round, farmer-led policy development and advocacy process. I like to say we are focused on advocacy and policy outcomes. We play chess, not checkers. To further this point and thoughtprovoking declaration, I will peel back the layers of an issue playing out at the federal level. Over what feels like a decade,

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but is really only a few years, Iowa soybean farmers, advocates and biodiesel producers have repeatedly engaged key policymakers and agency officials to voice concerns over the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) abuse of small refinery exemptions (SRE) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Excessive use of SRE’s undercuts the purpose of the RFS and has destroyed billions of gallons of biodiesel demand. An oil refinery producing less than 75,000 barrels of crude oil per day that can qualify for an SRE by showing compliance with the RFS would cause undue economic harm. Unfortunately, the EPA’s granting of these exemptions has exploded, providing relief for some of the world’s largest oil companies, including Chevron, Exxon Mobil and HollyFrontier. This has occured at the expense of the U.S. farmers and biofuel producers. The EPA signaled the dawn of a new era by flipping its official position on future small refinery exemptions. The new position stems from a ruling issued last year by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals that the EPA can only grant an SRE if a refinery satisfies two conditions: (1) the facility can demonstrate an existing exemption,

and (2) the facility can demonstrate disproportionate economic hardship caused by the RFS program. The EPA’s about-face and newfound agreement with the 10th Circuit’s decision was several years in the making and can be chalked up to playing the long game. ISA and other biofuel proponents deployed a steady, consistent barrage of grassroots support, including face-to-face and virtual conversations, phone calls, emails and pressure from Iowa’s stalwart congressional champions. All too often advocacy at a legislative level feels like one step forward, two steps back. This is understandable since we often find ourselves in the agriculture industry playing defense and responding to immediate threats. It is a marathon, not a sprint, and actions today are planting the seeds for a positive future. The key is to set realistic expectations and understand that influential relationships and administrative and policy changes take time. Whether ISA is leading policy advocacy on biofuels, trade, infrastructure or conservation, I encourage you to keep your eyes on the prize and get in the game. Results happen when we do.

unitedsoybean.org

HELPING YOU DELIVER ON DEMAND

Whether it’s improving soybean meal to outperform the competition or promoting the sustainability of U.S. soy, the soy checkoff has been working behind the scenes to help farmers satisfy their customers’ needs. We’re looking inside the bean, beyond the bushel and around the world to keep preference for U.S. soy strong. And for U.S. soybean farmers like you, the impact is invaluable. See more ways the soy checkoff is maximizing profit opportunities for farmers at unitedsoybean.org

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 7

Biofuels Bill Advances Through Iowa Subcommittees BY BETHANY BARATTA

owa Soybean Association (ISA) President Jeff Jorgenson provided comments last month to an Iowa House Ways and Means subcommittee and an Iowa Senate Ag subcommittee in support of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ biofuels bills. The proposed legislation would create an additional 108 million bushels of soybean demand for Iowa farmers over the next five years. Iowa farmers grew just over 500 million bushels of soybeans last year. The bills support increased infrastructure funding for higher

your

biofuels blends while protecting the Iowa taxpayer. Savings generated from the proposed biofuel tax credit reforms will provide roughly $10 million annually for the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP). For biodiesel, the legislation calls for fuel specifications that will increase demand of higher biofuel blends, such as B20 and E15, thus improving the quality of the fuel supply. By reforming existing biofuel tax credits, legislation provides significant sources of revenue for the underfunded, overutilized Renewable

Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP). The proposed legislation would include a phased-in approach to the biodiesel standard: • B11 standard effective from the date legislation passes and from April 1 to Sept. 30. • Transition blends allowed from April 1 to April 15. • B20 standard would start on April 1, 2024. • B5 blends allowed from October through March. “The ideal destination for our soybeans is right here in our own backyard where farmers, hardworking Iowans, and the communities we support can all share in the benefits of keeping it local,” Jorgenson said.

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10th Annual Leadership Awards The Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) recognized eight leaders during a virtual ceremony showcased on ISA’s Facebook page in January. Sponsored by West Bank, the 2021 Leadership Awards celebrated a decade of recognizing farmers and ag leaders who go above and beyond to promote agriculture. New this year was the addition of the Policy Champion Award.

2021 award recipients:

RISING STAR: Kollyn

Lentz of Plainf ield

Lentz is pursuing a degree in ag business management at Hawkeye Community College and plans to transfer to Iowa State University to obtain a bachelor’s degree in ag studies before eventually returning to the family farm. Sponsored by Farm Credit Services of America.

POLICY CHAMPION:

Hubert Hagemann of Carroll

Hagemann routinely pens letters to lawmakers and takes advantage of opportunities to meet and speak with his legislative representation. After retiring from crop and livestock farming, he frequently attends ISA events including District Advisory Council Day and Advocate Days at the state capitol. Sponsored by Champion Seed.

NEW LEADER:

Ethan Crow of Marshalltown

Crow hit the ground running at ISA by participating in the Communications Squad. He has spoken to several local and national media outlets, presented on a panel promoting modern ag to a group of high school teachers and has showcased his farming operation with digital audiences through the Iowa Food & Family Project. Sponsored by Corteva.

ENVIRONMENTAL LEADER:

Mark Schleisman of Lake City

Schleisman has worked for decades on efforts to improve and protect the important tributary to the Mississippi River. Conservation practices to be found on the Schleisman farm include no-till and strip till, grassed waterways, buffer strips, pheasant habitat, pollinator habitat, cover crops and multiple bioreactors. Sponsored by Agri Drain.

INNOVATOR IN PRODUCTION RESEARCH:

Mike Coleman of Humboldt

Coleman and his family participate in population studies, seed treatments, fertilizer and fungicide trials and soil and stalk sampling. The family also installs their own field tile and improves the farm through grain marketing and yield maps. Sponsored by John Deere.

FRIEND OF THE IOWA SOYBEAN FARMER:

ADVOCATE FOR IOWA AGRICULTURE:

LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP:

Murley serves as a dedicated and recognizable voice for farmers. Listeners can tune in weekdays to hear Murley provide market updates, news and commentary as farm director for KWMT, AM 540 in Fort Dodge. Throughout the years, Murley has been a trusted advocate for Iowa farmers. Sponsored by Cargill.

Latham’s dedication to promoting all-things Iowa agriculture is seen through her creation of “Enchanted Acres,” a learning farm located near Sheffield. Latham created the must-see family attraction for those wanting to learn more about farming and experience life in the countryside. Sponsored by Bayer.

Farming for 47 years, Heck operates the same land his great grandfather farmed in 1916. He joined ISA in 1975 and was elected president in 1993. The Boone County farmer has represented the U.S. soybean industry in numerous leadership roles, including president of the American Soybean Association in 2003. Sponsored by Stine.

Duane Murley of Rockwell City

Shannon Latham of Sheff ield

Ron Heck of Perry

To learn more about the ISA awards programs and see past recipients, go to www.iasoybeans.com/awards.

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IF YOU HAVE A PLAN TO FARM OR RANCH, WE HAVE A PLAN TO HELP. The future of agriculture is our future, too. That’s why we’re working with nearly 9,000 young and beginning producers – providing guidance, scholarships, youth programs and more. Learn more at youngandbeginning.com. FARM CREDIT SERVICES OF AMERICA IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF THE RISING STAR AWARD.

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 11

Leadership Runs in the Family ISA Leadership Awards are presented annually to individuals and organizations in recognition of outstanding work on behalf of Iowa soybean farmers and the farming profession. Highlighted are four families who exemplify the true legacy of leadership within the soybean industry.

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Lexi Marek RISING STAR AWARD 2013

Macy Marek RISING STAR AWARD 2015

Passion Grows When Roots Run Deep BY LAUREN HOUSKA Sisters Lexi and Macy Marek grew up on a sixth-generation diversified grain and livestock family farm in Riverside. Their grandfather, Larry Marek, served on ISA’s Board of Directors and the United Soybean Board (USB) and helped the Marek sisters cultivate an appreciation for the land and the work of the Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) soybean checkoff.

What have you been up to since you were named an ISA Rising Star? Lexi: I graduated from Iowa State University in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in Public Service and Administration in Agriculture with minors in Journalism and Entrepreneurship. After graduation, I started my career at a startup called FarmHer and then went to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), working with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. I recently embarked on a new adventure as Digital Marketing Manager for Pig Improvement Company (PIC). The idea of bringing new ideas into a wellestablished company (PIC was founded in 1962) and focusing on the digital experience is very exciting to me.

Macy: I graduated from Iowa State University in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education with a teacher’s certification and a minor in Animal Science. In 2017, I interned at the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA), which gave me valuable insight into the work of the association. In 2019, I student taught at an inner-city high school in Houston, Texas, which was incredibly rewarding. Following graduation, I joined the Corteva Agriscience team, and I’m now a Territory Manager in Quincy, Illinois. I’m excited for another new adventure.

What is one piece of advice you would give someone just starting their career or education in agriculture? Lexi: Never be too big for a job. You never know how tasks that seem small can turn into bigger opportunities or experiences that are rewarding for you and others.

Macy: Never close doors on opportunities. Keep your head down and work hard and opportunities

will continue to find you. There are limitless ways to get involved and make your mark.

What does legacy mean to you? Lexi: My grandpa, Larry Marek, always made sure that we understood that our family farm had a global impact. He taught us the importance of family and taking care of our land so it can continue for generations. He has always been a huge supporter of farmers working together and associations like ISA facilitating that work. I believe in the value ISA provides and want to see it continue to be a resource for the agriculture industry.

Macy: My grandpa is someone I have always looked up to. He’s the first person I call when I have questions about agriculture. Like him, I look forward to finding opportunities to engage with ISA in the future. Ultimately, no matter what I do or where I go, I will always have something to tie my roots back to — our sixth-generation family farm. Everything I do now is to help keep those roots strong for future generations. IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 13

Kolton Greiner RISING STAR AWARD 2014

Generations of Leadership BY KATIE JAMES The Greiner family grows soybeans and corn and raises hogs near Keota. In 2012, Lindsay Greiner was recognized with the Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) New Leader Award. Two years later, Lindsay’s youngest son Kolton was presented the Rising Star Award. Lindsay went on to serve as ISA President in 2018, and Kolton now serves farmers through his role with Cargill.

Kolton: I was thrilled to be selected

How did your awards impact you and help shape your future?

What does the ISA legacy mean to you?

Lindsay: It’s quite an honor

peers honors you, it means a lot. It really humbles me because I don’t think I’ve done anything that special. Everything I’ve done has been with my farmer hat on, and if that’s helped me represent other farmers, then I guess I’m doing something right. It is also a treat to keep my family involved with ISA and to watch my son be recognized, too.

because the awards are selected by fellow farmers. To me, it meant they had enough faith in me to serve and represent my peers in future leadership roles. When I got the New Leader Award, I felt like I hadn’t really done much besides participate in meetings. This award enthused me and gave me confidence that I could make a difference, so I kept going. I was appointed to serve on the board of directors the next year. I ran for election the following year and was elected president in 2019. After my presidency ended, I was elected to serve on the United Soybean Board.

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as that year’s Rising Star and the ISA scholarship courtesy of Farm Credit helped fund my education in Ames. ISA has played a big role in other opportunities granted to me since then because of my award and those I met when I received it. I have now been working with Cargill for several years and currently serve 140 farmers in Iowa, helping make their operations as profitable as possible.

Lindsay: Whenever a group of your

Kolton: I’ve always known I wanted to be involved in ag, and the ISA award solidified it for me. Especially nowadays where I regularly see checkoff dollars come out of loads brought to Cargill, I feel closer in knowing how those dollars benefit farmers. It meant a lot for an organization like ISA to recognize me as a rising leader.

What’s your message to other soybean farmers? Kolton: Being in grain marketing, 2020 and 2021 showed us how different two years can be. We went from $8 to $14 beans in six months, so it’s more important than ever to have a marketing plan. You could also take that logic outside of your operation if you consider getting involved with an organization like ISA. Even if you don’t become a board member, there are research trials, sustainability projects and other ways to benefit your operation. Farming isn’t going anywhere, its going to become more important to take advantage of these things, especially if yours is a generational business like our farm.

Lindsay: Farming is a business of highs and lows. Prices go up and down, sometimes it rains, sometimes it doesn’t. But farmers, by nature, have a spirit that welcomes a challenge. That’s the reward we get when we’re doing our job. I started my involvement with ISA slowly – just a couple meetings per year. I enjoyed it and the other farmers I met. I noticed every farmer I spoke with was looking inside themselves to see what they could do to contribute to our industry. Anybody that has an inkling of getting involved in a commodity group should take advantage of it. You will grow as an individual and as a farmer. Contact Katie at kjames@iasoybeans.com.

Soybean Policy Pioneers BY ANN CLINTON Ron Heck, who farms near Perry, received the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) 2021 Legacy of Leadership Award. His father, Raymond, posthumously received the same award in 2014. Raymond and Ron are the only father and son team to receive lifetime awards from the American Soybean Association.

Lindsay Greiner NEW LEADER AWARD 2012

How did your awards impact you? Ron: Receiving a legacy award is a visible affirmation that my family’s efforts to make soybeans and ISA successful have been worthwhile for future farmers. However, that doesn’t begin to capture the decades of experiences and successes that come to me when I reflect on the fabulous journey that

I took with so many other people. Together, we achieved great things. The actual award is seeing ISA’s successful, continuing leadership.

What do you think your dad would have said about his award? Dad would be surprised and impressed at what we have done. He was most famous for getting “contract sanctity” from President Ronald Reagan. After disastrous soybean export embargoes by Nixon and Carter, the U.S. struggled with our reputation as an unreliable supplier. The U.S. State Department was blocking any legislative effort to guarantee our foreign customers that they could rely on the U.S. for their food.

Raymond Heck, 2014

Ron Heck, 2021 LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP AWARD

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 15

At a press conference, Dad outshouted the reporters, asked the right question, and got President Reagan to say in public that the United States would have contract sanctity for soybean exports. He also urged the American Soybean Association to file a GATT 301 complaint against European oilseed subsidies that led to the Blair House Agreement when we won the case.

What does the ISA legacy mean to you? When we have been busy doing the daily chores, it is easy for us to forget the miracle of how we all got to this point. Soybean farmers looked at our ag situation after World War II, and the situation was bleak. We had too much production, not enough people to feed, and petroleum-powered tractors replacing oats and hay for horses. The farm economy was in deep trouble. We needed to replace other crops that weren’t needed with something that we could export. If we didn’t find a market, we were permanently condemned to a life of government programs and acreage restrictions and low prices. Asia had many people who liked soybeans, so we learned how to grow them and sell them. The biggest success in U.S. agriculture during my lifetime is going from almost zero soybean exports to exporting the production from 45 million acres. There is usually a “connect the dots” story that leads to each element of this success story. I started going to American Soybean Associaiton (ASA) meetings in the late 70s when they were held in Des Moines. I remember 78 total in attendance at one … that has now become the Commodity Classic. The ASA Resolutions said their goal was “to make soybeans a viable crop alternative.” A few years later, we had a lengthy debate and deleted “alternative” because we felt that soybeans had passed the

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threshold and become a real crop. In 1994, I was the only farmer invited to attend both the Democrat and Republican economic study meetings on how to write the Freedom to Farm Bill, courtesy of Harkin and Grassley. They held separate meetings. I didn’t write any of that bill, and the bill wasn’t my idea in the first place, but I had the chance to watch and learn what I needed to know for the next Farm Bill. And I met all of the economists, which was very useful for 2002. In the 2002 Farm Bill, soybeans became a program crop. I did get considerable input on that milestone. Sen. Tom Harkin was the Ag Chairman and also included an Energy Title, including biodiesel, for the 2002 Bill. In 2004, I convinced Sen. Charles Grassley to include the first biodiesel tax incentive into a tax bill. So there is a connect-the-dots story from “what is a soybean” to soybeans being a major program crop, the largest commodity export for the U.S., and the birth of the biodiesel industry. While I was working on this piece of a very large puzzle, other farmers were working on building the export markets.

What's your message to other soybean farmers who are just getting started with ISA? Ron: First participate, watch, learn and work on understanding a piece of the puzzle. You don’t have to do it all, and you don’t have to do it alone. The future solutions are not always obvious with the first step. Ask questions and share your experiences. Adjust as required. Doing one thing right will lead to other opportunities. Collaborate and celebrate. And then build on that to do more. It will be fun, although not every day. The soy family is a great group of people. Contact Ann at aclinton@iasoybeans.com.

Mike Coleman INNOVATOR IN PRODUCTION RESEARCH AWARD 2021

The Coleman Leadership Legacy BY HEATHER LILIENTHAL The roots of the Coleman family’s involvement with the Iowa Soybean Association (SA) run deep. A third-generation farmer, Dean grew soybeans and corn with his wife Carol and son Mike. Carol and Dean engaged in programming, including on-farm research early on. Soon, Dean was involved with leadership. He served as an ISA director including the offices of president, vice president, treasurer and at-large. He also served on the American Soybean Association’s (ASA) board of directors. Dean, who passed away in 2019, was honored posthumously with the ISA Legacy of Leadership award in 2020.

What did you think when Mike won the Innovator in Production Research Award? Carol: I was so proud to hear this … and I couldn’t help but laugh, too! You see, there was a time when Mike wasn’t such a fan of ISA Research. Mike’s dad Dean was usually involved in several research projects at a time and we had many plots in our fields and we’d need to carefully navigate around those. It drove Mike crazy. But it didn’t take

long for him to recognize the value and how we benefited from the data we collected.

Mike: Dad was so involved with ISA, beyond research, and it just became a part of our family of our farm. Now, I can’t imagine not being involved with some type of ISA research project.

How and why has involvement with ISA been important? Mike: Dad always wanted to do nearly every research trial. He was so interested in different application rates, replications and how the weather affected it all. And we talked a lot about that work on our farm and what he learned at ISA meetings. We have such a great relationship with ISA’s staff. For me, it’s a good place to go for information.

Carol: For Dean and me, I look at all of the close relationships and lifelong friendships we developed through our involvement. Dean loved talking to farmers from across the state and around the world. As he learned more about soil types, production practices and more, he always said meetings were such

eye-opening experiences for him. And as much as he loved to learn, Dean loved to teach. He would jump at any opportunity to talk about farming or ISA with groups or reporters.

What does the ISA leadership legacy mean to your family? Carol: Dean loved every minute of his time serving the state’s soybean farmers. It simply became a way of life for him. From those first research plots, to serving on the board, and with ASA, to learning from farmers, he loved every minute of it. I know he wouldn’t have ever given it up.

Mike: I still think of the buses filled with international visitors pulling up the drive. We’d have some of the biggest soybean buyers in the world riding along in the combine, and they wanted to know about our farm. It really hits home when you realize that what we do right here at home has these global implications. I appreciate that opportunity to be a part of those conversations. Serving Iowa soybean farmers through ISA was Dad’s true passion. He was a quiet man, but when he spoke, people listened.

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 17

9 STEPS TO

Higher Soybean Yields Brock Hansen scouts soybeans in his field near Baxter. Farmers continue to look for ways to raise higher-yielding soybeans.

From variety selection, to harvest loss protection, farmers take steps to strengthen yields

BY SCOTT NELSON, SR. FIELD SERVICES MANAGER

ith current rises in soybean prices, the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) is receiving many inquires on how to raise higher yielding soybeans. The following are nine low-cost, high-return options for raising high yield soybeans.

Spend time on variety selection. Selecting and placing

the right varieties for your acres is the most important thing a farmer can do to optimize yield. Unfortunately, this is also one of the most difficult steps as there is no single source of credible information. It is very important to select several varieties with varying maturities, agronomic characteristics, disease and insect resistance, along with herbicide tolerance traits. We recommend consulting three to five seed companies. Spend time scouring seed catalogues and talking with sales representatives and agronomists to discuss the characteristics and traits you seek. Select varieties and maturity groups with the yield potential and genetics and traits packages most

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appropriate for your situation and practices.

Know your fields and consider your cropping system. Scout fields and sample

soils frequently to know your status and longer-term patterns and trends for yields, fertility, soil health, drainage and water management, and disease (including SCN), insect and weed pressures. Several companies now offer field satellite images. Consider past and current crop production and management practices and seek new ideas and technologies for continuous improvement. By knowing your land and how you farm it, you can better evaluate new approaches, opportunities for improvement and specific shortterm needs that will ensure maximum profitability. The ISA Research Center for Farming Innovation (RCFI) has holistic programming to assist with agronomic, conservation and decision tools.

Maintain your fertility foundation. With lower

Plant early and consider prescription planting and variable variety placement.

commodity prices in past years, some farmers have neglected their pH levels and P and K applications. Soybeans respond to lime when pH is below 6 and they consume a lot of potassium. We recommend grid sampling on 1.25-to-2.5-acre grids to determine optimum variable rate applications of lime, phosphorous and potassium.

RCFI has conducted planting date trials at 20 locations over the past two years. Consistently, the data and university studies show that planting in late April or early May gives a 5-to 10-bushel advantage over planting later in May or in June. Many cases have also shown a yield advantage for planting a slightly later maturing variety in the early planting window.

Use of seed treatments and inoculants. When

planting soybeans in the normal corn planting window, seed treatments for soybeans can have a large return on investment. If Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) is a problem, select seed treatments that have good activity on SDS when planting early. Other fungicide treatments are especially important when planting early. RCFI results with nitrogenfixing bacteria inoculants have been mixed. In some years, there has been a significant yield response, while in 2020, the yield response was almost zero. We still believe that high-quality inoculants and some of the newer bacteria being introduced could lead to a yield advantage, but we lack proof. Inoculants in our estimation are a better practice than foliar nutrient feeding.

Use a preemergence herbicide. Effective weed

management requires you to know your weed pressures and then develop an integrated management strategy. With growing herbicide resistance in weeds, it is very important to apply multiple sources of active ingredients to protect yield. Preemergence herbicides are especially important as some of the sources of activity are not available for postemergence options.

Manage residue in no-till soybeans. In some no-till

fields, corn residue can hinder even stand establishment and leave gaps in the field. This is most often the case when high-speed drills are used where the implement has no way to move residue from the seed slot. Because seed placement is so important for stand establishment and plant growth and development, managing residue is becoming one of the biggest yield limitations in soybean production. Solutions include planting no-till fields with a planter equipped with residue managers and optimizing down-force pressure to achieve proper seeding depth. Great soybean stands begin at corn harvest. Making sure your harvester is processing residue well is very important for the following years soybean crop. In some cases, it may be profitable to invest in newer stalk roll designs that better shatter and size the residue.

Manage white mold.

In some areas and during some years, Sclerotinia stem rot or white mold is a devasting disease in high-yielding soybean fields. Always have a plan to manage this disease. Cover crops and application of lactofen (Cobra)

herbicide have shown suppressive effects on white mold and some of the newer fungicides are showing greater activity against white mold. In our on-farm research experience, we have never seen a positive return on investment for two-pass fungicide applications in fields with white mold.

Don’t overlook harvest loss. Soybean yields can

be dramatically reduced by harvest losses from shattering and lodging. ISA has some farmer members who have found that harvesting soybeans at high moistures (above 17%) and drying them is more profitable than letting the soybeans fielddry and incur shattering losses. We do not know that this practice works for all farmers, but we do know that beginning soybean harvest around 14-15% moisture is a good practice to reduce harvest losses. For any follow-up questions, contact Scott Nelson, sr. field services program manager, snelson@iasoybeans.com or Kristen Dearden, RCFI customer service coordinator, kdearden@iasoybeans. com RCFI’s mission is to engage Iowa farmers through research and innovation to increase productivity, profitability and sustainability.

Grant Kimberley plants soybeans at his family farm near Farrar.

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 19

Biodiesel Boost

Dave Walton fills his skid loader with biodiesel fuel at his farm in Wilton. Walton uses biodiesel to power his farm year-round.

Biodiesel is a reliable product throughout the year, Iowa farmers say. Proposed legislation could expand usage of the soy-based fuel.

BY BETHANY BARATTA

tory County farmer Pat Murken believes in streamlining efficiencies, using local products and improving profitability. That’s why he’s drawn to biodiesel which does all three. “I’m kind of the local cheerleader for biodiesel,” Murken says. Biodiesel is an efficient fuel, converting homegrown soybean oil to a usable fuel and reducing reliance on petroleum. Murken uses a 20% biodiesel blend (B20) on his own farm from March through November. The crop farmer said he would use the product all year if he had a need to do so.

Survey says.. Ninety-three percent of farmers responding to an Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) Farmer Member survey conducted by Harvest Research in fall 2020 said they either use biodiesel, have used it in the past or would like to use it in the future.

20 | MARCH 2021 | IASOYBEANS.COM

With regular tank maintenance like changing out his fuel barrel filter each year as the manual suggests, he hasn’t seen any problems using biodiesel. “Regular maintenance is critical for any form of diesel fuel, including biodiesel,” Murken says.

Adding value Soybean oil is the primary feedstock for biodiesel produced in the country. About 80% of the biodiesel produced in Iowa contains soybean oil as a main ingredient and it’s a main component of about 50% of the biodiesel produced in the U.S. Recent studies show that biodiesel production adds about a 13% value to soybeans. With recent soybean prices in the teens, it brings significant value back to the farm, Murken says. “This business is all about cash flow,” Murken says. “Expanding the use of biodiesel would mean a positive cash flow for a lot of farmers and allow for additional investments and expansion.”

Strengthening demand In February, Iowa Gov. Reynolds introduced a bill to set a minimum standard of biofuels in the state’s fuel supply. For biodiesel, this would mean most Iowa diesel would contain at least 11% (B11) during warmer months beginning in April 2022, and B20 during warmer months in 2024 and later. The standard also sets the minimum blend percentage to B5 during the colder six months of the year. The current American Society for Testing Materials fuel standard considers B5 blends the same, no different than diesel fuel. As of March 9, the biofuel standard bill was under consideration in both the Iowa House and Senate Ways and Means Committees. Iowa isn’t the only state pushing for higher blends, says Grant Kimberley, director of market development for the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA).

Similar conversations are happening around the Midwest. Bills have been introduced in Colorado, Missouri and Illinois. Minnesota has passed a B20 standard and Nebraska is also discussing biofuel standards. “It could turn the Midwest into a biofuels corridor,” Kimberley says. Phasing in the B11 and B20 standards would increase the total demand for soybeans and pure biodiesel. The B11 standard would increase demand for soybean feedstocks by more than 22 million bushels. The B20 standard would demand 31.5 million bushels, Kimberley says. As companies like Wal-Mart and Amazon and states like California work toward reducing carbon emissions, biodiesel is a part of the solution, says Donnell Rehagen, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board. Modeling suggests that by 2030, the use of biodiesel, renewable diesel and renewable jet fuel will exceed 6 billion gallons in on road, off road, air transportation, electricity generation and home heating

applications. This doubling of the current usage will eliminate more than 35 million metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions annually. It will also boost usage of soybean oil as a feedstock to 18 billion pounds per year which is about two-thirds of the current domestic crush. “We want to see the growing demand for our fuels be filled by domestic product made from domestic feedstocks. Expansion of soybean oil and crush is going to be a good thing for soybean farmers,” Rehagen says. “So, we ask soybean farmers in the country to keep focused on this and keep producing; we’re going to be able to use all the soybean oil the industry can create.” Murken says increasing soybean demand through biodiesel production is positive for Iowa farmers. “I see biodiesel as being a positive addition to my income. And I hope the market triples, because I’m all for it,” he says. Contact Bethany at bbaratta@iasoybeans.com.

Dave Walton mixes feed for his cattle using biodiesel fuel even during the most extreme weather conditions.

“Expanding the use of biodiesel would mean a positive cash flow for a lot of farmers and allow for additional investments and expansion.” — Pat Murken, Story County

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 21

Diamond Oil blends biodiesel from 20% to 98%.

Biodiesel Availability One Iowa-based biodiesel supplier is committed to expanding the availability and usage of biodiesel.

BY BETHANY BARATTA

n his farm in north central Iowa, Brent Renner would love to be using a product he ultimately helps produce — biodiesel. However, that’s not a viable option through his local cooperative. At least not yet. He’s hopeful, however, that his efforts in communicating the benefits of biodiesel to his fuel supplier and his peers will expand both the availability and use of higher blends of biodiesel. “We need to promote the product we raise,” says Renner, a fourth-generation farmer from Klemme and an Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) district director. He’s had conversations with his fuel supplier, who is upgrading infrastructure to accommodate biodiesel. Part of the

22 | MARCH 2021 | IASOYBEANS.COM

process is also connecting farmers and suppliers with information to put them at ease with using biodiesel. With proper tank and fuel maintenance (needed today for all fuels), farmers can trust biodiesel as a reliable fuel year-round.

Homegrown fuel Headquartered in Des Moines, Diamond Oil has made a commitment to supplying biodiesel to its diverse customer base. It supplies and markets biodiesel through traditional retail outlets, and its biodiesel footprint extends into high-volume end users in the agriculture, residential, industrial, racing and transportation arenas. The company has been serving customers since 1978 and has sold biodiesel for about 10 years.

The decision to offer biodiesel was easy, says the company’s COO Jim Martin. “It was truly about how we improve diesel fuel,” Martin says. “We did it through soy; through the increased cetane, lubricating and cleanliness factors that biodiesel provides.” Diamond Oil sources biodiesel in Iowa, then the company provides custom blending options tailored for each customer. With its infrastructure, Diamond Oil can easily provide biodiesel blends of 20% (B20) through 98% (B98), depending on the customer’s request. Martin says the company appreciates the idea of being a part of the “full circle” of soybean and biodiesel production. Diamond Oil purchases the pure biodiesel made from locally grown soybean oil (and other feedstocks), then produces the biodiesel blends for farmers to use.

“It’s truly full circle. It’s locally grown, locally produced and locally used. There are not many things we get to do that with,” Martin says. “So, it’s really about the benefits of soy in the fuel and the benefits to the state, ag industry and economy.”

Availability Iowa biodiesel plants produced 351 million gallons of biodiesel in 2020, not far off the record 365 million gallons produced in 2018. And there’s plenty of room for growth given the production capacity of more than 400 million gallons at Iowa’s 11 biodiesel plants. But ISA has heard from several farmers who say biodiesel is hard to find in their area or that their suppliers are unwilling to carry the product. National Biodiesel Board CEO Donnell Rehagen has heard this concern, too. He says that other states’ low-carbon fuel standards could be demanding biodiesel due to its reduced carbon footprint, pulling biodiesel supplies out of the state. “We would really love to see farmers using it on their farm because they are the greatest ambassadors

for this product, and it’s hard to be a really strong ambassador when you can’t or don’t use the product yourself,” Rehagen says.

Local demand ISA Director of Market Development Grant Kimberley says there ought to be biodiesel available throughout the state. “It’s kind of like asking what came first, the chicken or the egg?” Kimberley says. “Farmers say they would use biodiesel if it was available to them, and some retailers will say they would offer it if farmers asked for it.” Rehagen says farmers need to ask their local retailers to provide biodiesel year-round. That creates champions for a product raised by Iowa’s soybean farmers. “I really think it boils down to being able to promote the facts, the benefits and being able to say we’re using what we produce,” Renner says. “We need to step up to the plate and take that action.” Contact Bethany at bbaratta@iasoybeans.com.

Jim Martin, COO of Diamond Oil

Iowa Biodiesel Production Iowa biodiesel plants produced 351 million gallons of biodiesel in 2020, not far off the record 365 million gallons produced in 2018. And there’s plenty of room for growth given the production capacity of more than 400 million gallons at Iowa’s 11 biodiesel plants.

Adam Wicks fills a tanker with biodiesel at Diamond Oil in Des Moines.

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 23

INSIDE THE MINDS OF IOWA

G R O C E RY

Shoppers BY KELLY VISSER

RECENT SURVEY SHOWS GROCERY SHOPPERS ADAPT TO COVID-19, REMAIN TRUSTING IN AGRICULTURE

survey of 350 soybean farmers earlier this winter found that “improving consumer trust in modern agriculture” ranks highly among the issues impacting farm profitability. Perhaps that is because just 4% of Iowans are directly involved in farming. Thus, very few have a firsthand understanding of how today’s food system operates with their best interest in mind. For Randy Miller, Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) Secretary and District 8 Director from Lacona, building agricultural awareness among Iowa consumers is a priority. He believes success starts with understanding what is on the minds of the 96% of Iowans who do not farm. “Most of the time, we only hear from the loudest, most polarized few,” he shares. “But it’s just as important to be aware of the questions, concerns and trends that are on the minds of the more moderate majority.”

24 | MARCH 2021 | IASOYBEANS.COM

To understand Iowa consumer perceptions across the farm-to-fork chain, the Iowa Food & Family Project (Iowa FFP) conducts an annual Consumer Pulse Survey. Now in its ninth year, it gauges Iowans’ grocery shopping habits, food label influence and attitudes toward agriculture. Year-over-year findings provide a snapshot of consumer perceptions, and help shape ISA and Iowa FFP programming and content development. Conducted last fall, the survey of Iowa grocery shoppers had 1,539 responses. Among those were 1,103 engaged with the Iowa FFP as opt-in Fresh Pickings eNewsletter subscribers. Respondents’ age groups, income levels, education levels and geographic regions resembles the state’s population. Flynn Wright, an advertising agency in Des Moines, conducted the survey analysis from data collected.

Miller says this diverse cross section of respondents shows the broad appeal of Iowa FFP and its ability to impact Iowa consumers.

A resource for Iowa consumers Iowa FFP invites Iowans to explore how food is grown around the state and meet the farmers who make it happen; 24/7, 365 days a year. The initiative works with a

82%

collaborative network of more than 35 food, farming and healthy living organizations who are proud of Iowa’s homegrown foods and hometown values. The agricultural awareness initiative reaches more than 135,000 followers each month through its Fresh Pickings magazine, eNewsletter, website and social media channels.

of shoppers report

purchasing their groceries in store, down f rom 97% in 2019.

FOOD QUALITY, PRICE AND NUTRITIONAL VALUE CARRY THE STRONGEST LEVELS OF IMPORTANCE FOR GROCERY DECISION-MAKING.

Contact Kelly at kvisser@iasoybeans.com

KEY CONSUMER PULSE SURVEY INSIGHTS

THREE-QUARTERS OF FOOD-MINDED CONSUMERS GIVE FARMERS AN “EXCELLENT” OR “GOOD” RATING FOR PRODUCING SAFE FOODS, CONTRIBUTING TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY AND RAISING HEALTHY ANIMALS WITH CARE.

When asked about the trustworthiness of Iowa FFP as a source of information,

of those familiar with the initiative rated it as “very” or “somewhat” trustworthy.

More than half of shoppers reported being

FAMILIAR WITH IOWA FFP an 18% increase f rom 2016.

50%

of respondents reported that “organic” and “all-natural” phrases

“EXCELLENT” AND “GOOD” RATINGS FOR FARMER PERFORMANCE IN PROTECTING OUR AIR, SOIL AND WATER HAS JUMPED FROM 50% TO 70% OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS.

on food labels felt misleading.

More than half of Iowa FFP subscribers and 38% of the general population indicate they were surprised by the impact COVID-19 had on the

FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN

87% of shoppers are satisf ied with Iowa agriculture.

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 25

to s r e tt e L or it d E he t Ann, I just read your Editor’s Note from the February issue and really enjoyed it. With all that’s going in this crazy world, it’s nice to read something so positive, and yet it is such a sad story. Bill was a young man and looked to be in very good health. I’ve never met the man so I looked up his obituary. He sounds like he was a very impressive individual. Also, I had never heard that expression that you used, “cardinals appear when angels are near.” I loved how you tied that into your reflections about Mr. Shipley. Nicely done! David L. Mangan, Donahue, Iowa

Ann, Thank you for the articles entitled, “Use Soy For That” and “A Concrete Solution.” I am glad Bill Shipley mentioned to you (as mentioned in The Last Word) about doing an article on new products. I volunteer for the Fayette County Farm Bureau to bring Agriculture in the Classroom to school students. We teach about where their food comes from and about where everything they use originates from. We also talk to a great extent about products made from corn and soybeans as that is what we mainly grown in Iowa. I am constantly looking for new products made of corn and soybeans that I can show or talk about with the students. Your article has given me some new and different things to talk about. Thank you can keep up the good work. Sincerely, Jeanne Baerg, Fayette County, Iowa

26 | MARCH 2021 | IASOYBEANS.COM

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

Legacy of Goodness

n my mother’s kitchen sits a round, oak table that’s been in the same spot for nearly 55 years. It originally belonged to mom’s great-aunt, Stella, so it had been well-loved. My mom’s maternal grandmother refinished the table for her, and it’s always made her feel close to those special women in her life. “My grandmother was a very giving person,” says my mom. “She was such a worker and a dear soul. She was a big influence in my life. I knew she genuinely loved me. I adored both my grandmas.” Mom has since refinished the table many times over, lovingly preserving memories along with the wood. It represents a constant fixture of conversation, support and stability through decades of hardships and joys. Mom has served thousands of meals on that table. Five generations of my family have pulled up a chair over the years, celebrating birthdays, holidays and daily life. Growing up, that table felt like home base to me. It’s where I started and ended my days.

As a mother myself, I have maintained the priority of sharing meals together. If at all possible, my family is together around the supper table at night. I’ve added my own twist, however; one I hope my kids will carry with them into adulthood. Every night I ask, “What was the best part of your day?” Then one by one, we go around the table sharing the highlights from our day. It’s therapeutic and often hilarious. My intention is that they purposely look for goodness throughout the day and bring those positive experiences back to the family. When it’s my turn to talk, without fail, the best part of my day is that very moment, when we are all together. If I said that each time, however, it would be too predictable and the kids would get annoyed. But it’s true. My entire day is centered with happiness when we are all circled together. Gathering my family together makes me feel close to my mom. I feel like I know her heart. In this issue of the Iowa

Soybean Review, we honored families who have created a legacy of leadership within the agricultural community. Each year, the Iowa Soybean Association recognizes people who have made contributions to the betterment of the soybean industry. The stories highlighted in this publication are truly inspiring. They are stories of families who are following in each other’s footsteps, altering the trajectory of soybean research, advocacy and demand. Their time, talent and overall dedication to agriculture has benefited us all. As I wrap up this column, my mind is shifting to what I’ll make for supper. I’m also thinking about the good things that have happened today and how blessed I am to have so much to talk about with my family tonight. And I think I’ll call my mom on the way home. I want to prompt you with the same question I’ll ask them. Pull up a chair at the virtual kitchen table and tell me, “What was the best part of your day?” Stay well, my friends.

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

Aclinton@iasoybeans.com

515-251-8640

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 27

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