Iowa Soybean Review | November 2022

Animal Agriculture Adds Value to Soybeans

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President

Randy Miller, Lacona | D8

President-Elect

Suzanne Shirbroun, Farmersburg | D3

Secretary

Jeff Frank, Auburn | D4

Treasurer

Brent Swart, Spencer | D1

At-Large Director Tom Adam, Harper | D9

Board of Directors

Chuck White, Spencer | D1

April Hemmes, Hampton | D2

Casey Schlichting, Clear Lake | D2 Rick Juchems, Plainfield | D3

Marty Danzer, Carroll | D4

Morey Hill, Madrid | D5

Dave Struthers, Collins | D5

Robb Ewoldt, Davenport | D6

Dave Walton, Wilton | D6

Scot Bailey, Anita | D7

Lee Brooke, Clarinda | D7

Warren Bachman, Osceola | D8

Pat Swanson, Ottumwa | D9

Tim Bardole, Rippey | At Large

Steph Essick, Dickens | At Large Lindsay Greiner, Keota | At Large Brent Renner, Klemme | At Large

American Soybean Association Board of Directors

Morey Hill, Madrid

Wayne Fredericks, Osage Brian Kemp, Sibley Jeff Jorgenson, Sidney Steph Essick, Dickens Dave Walton, Wilton

United Soybean Board of Directors

Tim Bardole, Rippey Lindsay Greiner, Keota April Hemmes, Hampton

Staff Credits

Editor | Bethany Baratta Sr. Dir., Information & Education | Aaron Putze, APR

Creative Design Coordinator | Brianna Schechinger

Photographer | Joclyn Bushman

Writer | Joseph Hopper

Writer | Jeff Hutton Writer | Kriss Nelson Public Relations Manager | Brock Johnston

Iowa Soybean Review is published monthly by: Iowa Soybean Association 1255 SW Prairie Trail Parkway, Ankeny, Iowa 50023 (515) 251-8640 | iasoybeans.com

E-mail: bbaratta@iasoybeans.com

For advertising information in the Iowa Soybean Review, please contact Bethany Baratta at (515) 334-1020 or bbaratta@iasoybeans.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.

November 2022 | Vol. 35, No. 2

9Here in Spirit

ISA member honors veterans, grandfather in smooth blends.

16 ‘Meating’ Demand

Bailey family raises the ‘steaks’ to purchase Anita Meat Processing.

20

Fishing for Success

U.S. soy positions domestic aquaculture for success.

22

Global Markets

Checkoff investments expand marketing opportunities for U.S. soy.

On the Cover: Cattle on Dave Struthers’ farm near Collins. Struthers says checkoff investment supports the work of the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers, which helps grow Iowa’s livestock industry, also building demand for soybeans.

Executive Committee

Executive Insights

Kirk Leeds, ISA Chief Executive Officer kleeds@iasoybeans.com

Resist Shiny Object Syndrome

Shiny object syndrome is defined as placing undue attention on an idea that is new or trendy yet dropping it as soon as something new takes its place.

Put more simply, it’s a blurring of priorities due to an inability to focus on what matters most.

We all often suffer from shiny object syndrome, although it seems especially acute for backyard enthusiasts like me. It’s not uncommon to start one task (clean patio furniture), only to be distracted upon seeing another job that needs to be done (water plants), only to start another (trim branches), then another (weed the flowerbeds), and then another (mow the grass). You get the picture. Before long, several projects are underway and the one left undone is atop the list of to-dos that took me to the backyard in the first place.

Focus demands discipline. When discipline is lacking, we can be busy with many things but lose sight of what’s most important and impactful.

This analogy has merit when reflecting on the animal ag industry and its relevance to soybean farmers. Soybean production took root and grew exponentially in Iowa and beyond because of its value

as an ingredient for livestock, poultry and dairy feed. The production of pork, poultry, egg, beef, milk, turkey and now fish requires reliable quantities of high-quality protein. Soybean meal has delivered, but its continued relevance as a go-to feed ingredient can’t be taken for granted.

Growth forecasts for soybased biodiesel, renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel and Bioheat® have generated considerable enthusiasm throughout the soy marketplace, and rightfully so. While some of these predictions defy comprehension (and dare I say, reality), there’s no denying the correlation between intensifying demand for soybean oil and strengthening soybean prices.

Yet this growth – whether slow or meteoric – shouldn’t distract us from being the protein source of choice for the livestock industry, long the bedrock of soybean demand.

Decades of projects supported by Iowa soybean farmers and funded by the soybean checkoff have generated consistent growth in domestic and international demand for pork, poultry, eggs, beef, turkey, milk and fish. Our investment in the Coalition to

Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) is a prime example. Launched in 2004, CSIF has been a catalyst for the responsible and successful growth of livestock and poultry production. That investment is delivering for Iowa farmers, evident by the industry’s strong demand pull for soy in areas where animal ag production facilities were once few and far between.

Increased soybean oil demand has been a boon to prices. But be mindful that much of present and projected growth has been stimulated by government policy and corporate environmental social governance pledges. Call me a skeptic, but market share built upon the whims of Washington, D.C., bureaucrats and shifting consumer sentiment makes me nervous about the market’s long-term stability.

With November’s arrival, we give thanks for many things. For soybean farmers, surging demand for plant-based, renewable energy is one of them. But let’s resist shiny object syndrome and remain steadfast in our support of the animal ag and aquaculture industries.

FARMERSSELLBEANS

TO ELEVATORS, PROCESSORS&DEALERS

EDUCATIONRESEARCHPROMOTION

ROI TO THE FARMER

Seeking SOY Solutions

Farmers dissect soybean challenges, opportunities

BY BETHANY BARATTA

At the Soybean Research Forum and Think Tank in Indianapolis in July, four farmers participated in a panel discussion about the challenges and opportunities in the soybean industry. Jeff Nalley, a 39-year radio and farm broadcasting veteran, moderated the panel.

PARTICIPANTS INCLUDED:

Heather Beaner

Retired Air Force attorney and farmer from Mellette, South Dakota. After active duty, Beaner moved back and took over the farm from her father. She farms with her husband and son and serves on the North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP) board and as a Regional Council Representative for Land O’ Lakes. Beaner also serves on the board of directors for her local ag coop, Agtegra, and is a director on the South Dakota Soybean Checkoff Board.

Steve Reinhard

Farms 1,700 acres of soybeans, corn, wheat/barley and hay in Crawford County, Ohio. He serves as the treasurer on the United Soybean Board (USB) executive committee and previously as Ohio Soybean Council chairman.

Tom Griffiths

First-generation livestock and grain farmer from Indiana. He is a former Indiana Soybean Alliance chairman and was a representative to the U.S. Meat Export Federation, USA Poultry and Egg Export Council, and U.S. Soybean Export Council. He’s worked on trade promotions and exports for soybean and meat products in 22 countries. He serves as a USB director.

Gregg Fujan

A soybean and corn farmer near Weston, Nebraska, Fujan is a former USB director and former chairman of the Nebraska Soybean Board. He also led NCSRP as president.

Editor’s note: The panelists’ responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.

NALLEY: Are there trends you think the industry should pay attention to from the producer’s perspective?

REINHARD: We have a lot of information, but they are in several formats. If we can find programs that marry the technologies faster, we can get a faster turnaround and make decisions quicker.

FUJAN: Identifying what genes control what part of the plant and the resistance factors to plan for has always excited me throughout my time working with research.

BEANER: Farmers must do a lot more in a narrower window of time. For three years, I’ve had three days to put a crop in. There’s a limited window to spray beans. I think it’s essential for researchers to know that if you’re asking us to apply a new product or make an extra pass, we often will not have the time. Farmers are doing so much more, so quickly in smaller windows, that I think it’s important for researchers to understand that we’re willing to pay someone else to do that for us because of these limited windows.

GRIFFITHS: I’m not a plant breeder, but we spend a lot of time on boards and in research programs on drought-tolerant soybeans. I’m not necessarily concerned with droughttolerant soybeans because, in northeast Indiana, soybeans never make it to the drought stage here. Instead, soybeans die in the cold, wet soil. This problem must be addressed.

NALLEY: Are there areas in this industry where you’re encouraged?

GRIFFITHS: Last year, the U.S. Soybean Board (USB) challenged us as directors to bring proposals for funding consideration instead of researchers bringing proposals to us. They asked us, as farmer-directors, what we wanted to fund.

REINHARD: From the soil health standpoint, we have spent a lot of money on microbiology because we feel it’s important. As we see high input prices this year, I’m interested in seeing how some of the biostimulants are working so we can potentially use less

fertilizer. The bio market is kind of a wild west – there are a lot of products, but perhaps not a lot of research.

FUJAN: The successes in soybean oil speak for themselves. It went from being an albatross on the soy complex’s neck to taking the lead in biofuels, sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel.

BEANER: When farmer board members are given the task of spending money on behalf of other farmers, it’s a big responsibility. So, when researchers present their proposals, we ask, ‘How will this research project benefit most farmers in my region?” If a project covers a small area and might not achieve the biggest bang for the buck, it’s less likely to be funded in our boardroom. North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP) is a 13-state conglomerate. When we’re looking at research proposals, there must be a broad application for the areas we represent. And it must have an impact. If a proposal doesn’t have a way to improve my soybean farmers’ lives, it’s a harder sell going back to the farm gate.

NALLEY: What’s one opportunity that would add the most value to your farm?

GRIFFITHS: More bushels.

FUJAN: Traits. Some identitypreserved opportunities will deliver more profit to farmers. In my area, high oleic has not taken off as strongly as in some areas, but I think traits could play a role in profitability moving forward.

BEANER: There are several components to adding opportunities and value. Making sure the information we discussed at this Forum gets back to farmers, our local seed salespeople and service producers back home is a start. Also, we can make a bean that would be ideal for fish food, for example, but from my point of view, we only have one bean we grow: a yellow, No. 2 bean. There isn’t a place for me to develop niche beans. We don’t grow high oleic soybeans, and there’s only one place in North Dakota you can sell non-GMO beans, and it’s an hour and a half to get there. Then, you have to store the niche beans in separate facilities. It’s a logistical infrastructure nightmare to consider anything other

“As we see high input prices this year, I’m interested in seeing how some of the biostimulants are working so we can potentially use less fertilizer. The bio market is kind of a wild west – there are a lot of products, but perhaps not a lot of research.”

STEVE REINHARD

than the standard genetically modified seed where I’m located. I’m fascinated by the opportunities and research needs relating to growing and selling niche soybeans, but the infrastructure isn’t there yet in my region.

REINHARD: In Ohio, about 10% of soybeans are non-GMO, which carry about a $2 per bushel premium. We spend a lot of money on our national and state boards trying to communicate premium opportunities like this to the rest of our farmers, but we’re not always reaching farmers. This is an opportunity.

NALLEY: Finish these sentences: I wish we could develop ___? I wish we could do ___?

FUJAN: Soybeans that are cold tolerant and grow in no-till, highresidue conditions.

BEANER: I need beans that grow faster and aren’t dependent on sun. I need a resilient, flexible bean that will take anything so that spray composition doesn’t need to be adjusted for every

field based on what my neighbors or I have planted. I need a bean that will take anything.

NALLEY: If we’re moving through a new paradigm where oil is more valuable than the meal, and if we’re crushing for the oil and then the meal, how does the paradigm shift affect how we should look at the industry?

BEANER: From a research and board perspective, our focus was on the meal. Do you ship it? Where does it go? How is it used? We have crush plants making crude oil, and then are shipping it to be refined. Some meal that is shipped out is used for feed. For end users, what do you need me as a farmer to do to be successful? Do you need me to plant a different kind of bean? Plant in a different kind of way? Sell it differently? This meal versus oil argument will often come down to the dollar.

FUJAN: I think about the days back when trans fat was a big issue and

consumption of soybean oil dropped off overnight. Fortunately, we had a balanced portfolio working with oil at that time, and biodiesel could absorb excess oil. I think it’s essential to have diversity. It’s important to work in both areas (soybean meal and soy oil) because you never know what will be coming down the road in the next week or next year.

GRIFFITHS: What terrifies me is that we’re only one hurricane away from a refinery closing on the Gulf of Mexico. If input costs are high, we will put more acres into soybeans. But then that could mean more weed and disease pressure, and farmers will take that gamble. If input prices don’t come down, we’ll plant more soybeans and have more oil and meal.

REINHARD: We don’t want to produce more oil or meal to affect either side. We need to continue to find uses for the meal and the oil.

Contact Bethany Baratta at bbaratta@iasoybeans.com

“I think it’s essential to have diversity. It’s important to work in both areas (soybean meal and soy oil) because you never know what will be coming ... ”

GREGG FUJAN

PHOTO COURTESY OF UNITED SOYBEAN BOARD

Here in Spirit

Iowa distillery honors veterans, grandfather

BY JEFF HUTTON

From the rich black soil of north central Iowa to the smooth, eclectic blends of bourbon, whiskey and moonshine, S&B Farms Distillery in Bancroft has been transformational not only for its owners, but also for Iowa’s veterans.

S&B has established itself as a unique way for the Winkleman family to highlight the importance of Iowa agriculture and recognize those whose sacrifice must always be honored.

Sara Winkleman’s accidental foray into becoming a distiller began with a phone call.

“A singer/songwriter friend of mine from Nashville wanted to know if we had some sweet corn on our farm,” says Sara.

The friend was playing at a moonshine festival in Georgia.

The Winklemans raise livestock and grow corn and soybeans but not sweet corn. Sara recruited Jake’s Sweet Corn from nearby Thompson, and they traveled south with 220 dozen ears of corn to a Georgia distillery.

As it turned out, “Sweet corn was not the ticket. Sweet corn would be a ton of sugar, but in this case, it did not convert well into a mash for moonshine.”

That experience led Sara back home to try their field corn to see if that might work. After several trips to Georgia and carefully watching expert moonshiners and still masters turn corn mash into bourbon, Sara was hooked.

“I never knew any of the processes,” she says. “After a couple of months, I told my husband I found it very intriguing and fascinating, and I wanted to dabble in bourbon making.”

While Brian was less than excited about the prospect, busy growing crops and raising cattle and hogs with his farming partner, Ryan Steenhard, Sara was committed.

“We already had a busy plate with two kids and farming. But when I want to do something, I put both feet in deep,” Sara says.

Birthing S&B

After several more trips to Georgia with their corn in tow, Sara and Brian began networking, touring dozens of small craft distilleries, finding what worked and what didn’t. They learned about barrel aging, storage, the right way and the wrong way. The learning curve may have been great, but S&B was born.

They’ve learned how soil plays a part in developing the flavor profile of their spirits.

“As it turns out, our corn is highly fermentable,” Sara says. “The black soil plays an important role in the flavoring; different soils go from bitter to sweet. We were hitting it sweet.”

Entrepreneurial spirits

Sara had more than two feet into this new enterprise. She was all in.

That led to the discovery of a 2,000-square-foot vacant doctor’s office in Bancroft.

The Winklemans gutted the building and began distilling and manufacturing the award-winning spirits.

The couple’s cattle benefit from the process, too.

Corn is milled at the farm and brought to the distillery, where Brian distills the grain into alcohol using Sara’s creatively crafted recipes. The leftover mash from the process feeds their cattle.

Pivoting and adjusting

A couple of years into the couple’s journey, COVID-19 hit. However, while other national alcohol manufacturers were struggling with the impact of the pandemic, local alcohol sales were going through the roof, Sara says.

And word of mouth began to spread, and Iowa retailers began to inquire about S&B.

“Casey’s (stores) sort of landed in our lap,” she says. “They were excited that there was a native manufacturer who could produce peach and apple flavored spirits.”

It wasn’t easy. Like many, S&B had its fair share of supply chain issues and inflation costs, but the business pivoted when necessary, including manufacturing hand sanitizer for a time.

Private First Class Baade

Throughout the company’s four-year history, S&B has produced seven different spirits – Sir Winston Peach, Sir Winston Apple, Sir Winston Bourbon, Sir Winston Wheat Whiskey, Hog Wild (a cinnamon-forward spirit), Field Fire (a spicy pineapple jalapeno moonshine) and most recently, Private First Class.

ABOVE: ISA farmer member Sara Winkleman says an accidental foray into whiskey making began with a phone call.

RIGHT: The blend closest to Winkelman’s heart honors her grandfather, the late Private First Class Ray Baade.

The latter is the most special for Sara. The spiced spirit honors her grandfather Ray Baade, a World War II veteran. His image is prominent on the bottle.

“My grandfather was always my biggest cheerleader,” she says. “He’d always say ‘shoot for the stars, don’t be afraid of failure.’”

Under the guise of a school project, Sara’s daughter asked her great-grandfather for information about his service.

That information, unbeknownst to Ray, was listed on the Private First Class label.

And when a Fourth of July parade honoring local and area veterans was planned, Sara unveiled the new spirit and surprised her grandfather.

“There were many happy tears with the release of Private First Class,” she says.

The bottle unveiling made her grandfather a minor celebrity. Many wanted to know about the man on the bottle.

Sara kept her grandfather active in the last few years and initiated a bottle signing at the distillery. Ray would come two or three times a week and sign Private First Class labels.

Local veterans and veteran organizations took hold of Ray. His signature bottles were a hit at different veteran-oriented events, including banquets and fundraising efforts, like Hunting with Heroes out of Lakota, Moving Veterans Forward and others that help veterans of all stripes.

“He met so many veterans and others along the way,” Sara says. “The more his story got out, the more veterans would want to meet him. It allowed my grandpa to open up. It really turned into therapy for him.”

With signed bottles and the chance to step into the spotlight, Ray’s light shined a bit brighter.

“My grandfather had a story. Everyone has a story. The VFW of Iowa used our Private First Class as a fundraiser for homeless veterans,” Sara says, adding that it only made sense to capitalize on her grandfather’s service, which has served others.

“He said ‘Gosh, you made a nobody like me feel like a somebody,’ ” his granddaughter says.

Ray Baade passed away in January 2022 at the age of 96. His service, enthusiasm and dedication to his granddaughter’s efforts supported the idea that the distillery was a testament to Sara’s entrepreneurial spirit and a way to pay it forward.

Teaming up with the local American Legion, S&B purchased the property across the street from the distillery. The property will soon become a community park while also honoring veterans.

Coming Home

Now S&B is creating a small-batch specialty bourbon, slated to come out this month.

The bourbon, a limited run spirit, is called Coming Home. It honors veterans who have shared their stories and trusted Sara to create something reflecting their patriotism.

Some of the veterans have been a part of the process, tasting the progression of the bourbon and helping to fill specialty barrels.

Each bottle from this limited batch will tell the stories of these veterans, many returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Each bottle features a different veteran’s image and story. And when the bottles are ready, proceeds from selling these bottles will go to Hunting with Heroes.

“I’m very partial to our veterans,” Sara says. “They put their lives on the line.”

Veterans have been appreciative of S&B’s efforts. They gifted Sara with an American flag that flew over Afghanistan to “watch over” these specialty barrels of Coming Home.

Despite some early setbacks, S&B has found success because Sara persevered.

“I hope to follow my grandfather’s last words: ‘Always make a nobody feel like a somebody. Just be kind.’ ”

Contact Jeff Hutton at jhutton@iasoybeans.com

The Winklemans have received several honors for their entrepreneurial spirits.

Autumn foliage near Cresco.

SOY SNAPS

BY JOCLYN BUSHMAN

A skid loader makes its way to unload a fresh bale to a cattle lot.

Near harvest-ready soybeans.

Dave Struthers connecting with his pigs.

Combine to wagon action in northeast Iowa.

Randy Miller checks over his cattle after giving them some fresh grain. Twin silos sit in a quiet valley in northeast Iowa.

A line of cattle graze in northwest Iowa.

Le Mars Farmer Wins Iowa Soybean Association Drone Giveaway

BY BROCK JOHNSTON

Cody Gradert, a soybean farmer from Le Mars, is the Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) grand prize recipient of new drone technology from a summer giveaway contest aimed at driving farmer membership across the state.

To be eligible for the drawing, participants were asked to activate or confirm their ISA Farmer Membership. For farmers who certify they produced and marketed at least 250 bushels of soybeans annually, ISA’s Farmer Membership is available at no additional cost. The opportunity is made possible through soybean checkoff investments by Iowa’s 40,000 soybean growers.

“Activating my Farmer Membership through ISA was simple and easy,” says Gradert. “Having access to the latest resources and information impacting the soybean industry is helpful as I continue making decisions impacting my operation.”

This harvest season, having greater access and input is more important than ever. Becoming an ISA Farmer Member gives growers both. More than 14,000 soybean farmers across Iowa are plugged into the association – receiving timely industry information and real-time opportunities to offer feedback and suggestions to ISA’s board of volunteer farmer directors tasked with allocating soy checkoff funds in areas that improve the profitability, productivity and competitiveness of the state’s soybean farmers.

“I encourage others to engage with ISA so that all soybean farmers have their voices heard while pushing our industry forward,” says Gradert.

To activate or confirm your ISA Farmer Membership, visit iasoybeans.com.

Funded by the soybean checkoff.

your cooperative soybean processor

CLEANER FIELDS LEAD TO HIGHER YIELDS.

Scot Bailey says his meat processing business helps local cattle farmers by creating a local market.

Jackson Bailey processes meat for a customer.

‘Meating’ Demand

Bailey family raises the ‘steaks’ to purchase Anita Meat Processing

BY KRISS NELSON

W hen an opportunity knocked, Scot Bailey, wife Cheryl and son Jackson answered.

Scot, Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) District 7 director from Anita, says the opportunity to take ownership of Anita Meat Processing came one day while at the local grocery store.

Tim Miller, owner of the locker at the time, asked Scot, “Do you want to buy a locker?”

“Right away, my answer was no,” says Scot.

Scot told his wife about the conversation. Cheryl thought about it and had an epiphany – Jackson had worked for another locker for several years and had experience cutting meat.

“Owning the Anita Meat Locker is an opportunity for our son to be a part of an operation of his own. It’s also helping the community,” says Scot.

In February 2023, Bailey Beef Processing doing business as Anita Meat Processing was born.

Jackson is the company’s manager, Cheryl works in the office and Scot lends a hand wherever needed.

Continuing a tradition

With the purchase, the Baileys are carrying on a nearly century-long tradition of having a meat locker in their community.

“I have been cutting meat since I was 18, so I have the experience,” says Jackson. “I think it’s cool it is nearly 100 years old this year. I want to keep it going for many more decades.”

Expanding the business

Cass County has three functioning meat lockers. All three, Scot says, are inundated and can’t process meat fast enough. Appointments are already being made for 2024 processing.

To keep up with demand, the Bailey family has expanded the building, allowing for a larger processing area and purchasing the equipment needed to ship meat out of state.

“There is a demand for Iowa-raised meat. People like the quality,” says Scot. “My little sister lives in Arizona, and when they have friends over, the first question they ask is, ‘Are these Iowa burgers?’”

The facility improvements have been made partly with financial assistance from grants, including a recently announced grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Program.

This additional funding, announced in August, brings total program funding to $54.6 million.

According to the USDA, this funding will help strengthen and develop new market opportunities for meat and poultry processors throughout the U.S. In Iowa, 100 lockers will benefit from the grants.

“The Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grants will help meat and poultry processors make necessary facility improvements, expand their businesses and strengthen the nation’s food supply chain,” says U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. “These

grants are one part of USDA’s Meat and Poultry Supply Chain initiatives and will contribute to our efforts to transform our food system.”

Bringing value to producers

Scot says livestock producers can make a higher premium on their hogs and cattle by having them processed locally.

“Local processing adds value by providing more of a premium price versus taking hogs or cattle to the larger meat plants,” he says.

To Scot, it all comes down to quality.

“I have a good friend who owns a meat store and sells the meat we process for him at a premium. There are other farmers nearby doing the same thing. They are adding value to their product and gaining customers,” Scot says.

Keeping local meat lockers in business opens avenues for livestock producers and soybean farmers.

“We have a lot of soybean crush plants coming online, which means we’ll have excess soybean meal and soybean hulls that are very viable for putting into feed,” says Scot. “You can build a feed ration from soybean meal, soy hulls, corn or corn silage. That brings more demand to the row crop farmer.”

Contact Kriss Nelson at knelson@iasoybeans.com

“There is a demand for Iowa-raised meat. People like the quality ... ”

WISHH works with international associations to build lasting potential for U.S. soy trade. trade.

Connect with WISHH wishh.org

WISHH is a program of the American Soybean Association and is funded in part by the United Soybean Board and state soybean board checkoff programs.

Iowa Soybean Farmer Appointed Vice Chair of ASA World Initiative for Soy in Human Health

BY BROCK JOHNSTON

As the global population continues to increase, leaders of soybeancentric organizations like the American Soybean Association’s (ASA) World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) are working on behalf of U.S. soybean farmers to find new ways to appease the growing demand for quality, protein-rich soy through trade in developing and emerging markets.

Morey Hill, an Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) director and soybean farmer from Madrid, has been elected vice chair of ASA’s WISHH Executive Committee for the upcoming year. He joins five agricultural leaders from across the country to lead the governing body to develop and further expand long-term markets for homegrown soy around the world. These officers include Roberta SimpsonDolbeare (ASA-Illinois) as chair, Bob Haselwood (Kansas) as treasurer and Craig Williams (Indiana) as secretary. Three new WISSH committee members, including Bill Wykes (ASAIllinois), Roz Leeck (USSEC) and Tony Mellenthin (USB-Wisconsin), will serve as non-voting ex-officio appointees for their organizations.

“WISHH plays an important role in finding new and developing markets for our soybeans, especially in places where the demand for protein in human nutrition or animal feeds hasn’t been fully tapped,” says Hill. “I’m honored to continue representing Iowa soybean farmers in this position and look forward to relaying the initiative’s valuable work to soybean growers in the state.”

Established 22 years ago, WISHH works globally and with local entrepreneurs to connect trade and development across global market systems, improving food security. Overseen by American farmers, WISHH

works in focus regions throughout the Americas, Africa, Asia and beyond. The organization strives to build success in aquaculture, poultry, human nutrition and global food security.

In June, Hill joined fellow U.S. soybean leaders in Cambodia to witness how state and national soy checkoff funding, as well as WISHH’s U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food for Progress Project, has allowed the organization and strategic partners to grow the Cambodian aquaculture industry through soy-based fish feeds.

The group visited with local farmers benefiting from production technology introduced by WISHH with soy checkoff investment, including in-pond raceway and aeration systems, as well as a fish distribution company that upgraded food safety and labeling products through WISHH’s USDA project. The group also toured AgriMaster, a local purchaser of U.S. soybean meal and supplier of soy-based feeds throughout Cambodia’s provinces, to see a multimillion-dollar construction project

that expands the companies’ ability to supply soy-based feeds for fish and livestock in the country.

In recent decades, Cambodia has experienced a sharp increase in aquaculture production due to increased demand for fish domestically and abroad, advancements in technology and improved access to protein-rich feeds. A report from Cambodia’s Fisheries Administration showed the country saw more than $1.7 billion in profits in 2021 from the aquaculture and freshwater fishery industry – supporting local economies and driving demand for U.S. soy used in protein-rich aquaculture feeds.

“Alongside support from WISHH partner groups, continued investment by U.S. soybean farmers through national and state soybean checkoff organizations will allow the initiative to continue building and advancing global markets critical to improving food security and growing demand for homegrown soy.”

Contact Brock Johnston at bjohnston@iasoybeans.com

(Left to right): Daryl Cates, ASA vice president; Morey Hill, ISA district 5 director and WISHH vice chair; Brad Doyle, ASA president; and Bob Haselwood, WISHH treasurer meet with a food distributor during a recent ASA/WISHH trade visit to Cambodia on aquaculture.

PHOTO COURTESY: JOE MURPHY/

UNITED SOYBEAN BOARD

Fishing for Success

Soy Aquaculture on the verge of domestic success

BY JEFF HUTTON

You could argue that it’s the newest version of surf ’n’ turf and one of the chefs involved is the American soybean farmer.

With new advances in research and a growing demand for sustainable domestic fish and shrimp, the Soy Aquaculture Alliance (SAA) is determined to get more soy in the diets of seafood and freshwater fish.

“The United States is lagging behind in aquaculture growth,” says SAA Executive Director Easton Kuboushek. “With soy as a primary protein source, our mission at SAA is to figure out how to grow domestic aquaculture.”

More than 85% of American seafood is imported, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), creating a trade deficit of nearly $17 billion.

“This gap in trade is a tremendous opportunity for soybean farmers to increase demand by growing the market for fresh, local and sustainable fish and shrimp,” Kuboushek says.

Opportunities abound

Finding and creating domestic aquaculture markets is multi-pronged, Kuboushek says.

“Creating those markets has already been demonstrated internationally; we’re trying to build that importance domestically,” he says. “To start, we’re investing checkoff dollars into economic, technology and genetic research for each species.”

For example, SAA is currently running selective breeding trials involving rainbow trout, which is primarily carnivorous, to identify trout with a higher tolerance for plant-based protein like soybean meal.

“With poultry, pork or beef, there are a relatively low number of species,” Kuboushek says. “There are hundreds of species of fish and shrimp, each of which has a different nutritional requirement for each stage of their life cycle.”

“For aquaculture to take off, we have to find the unique solution for soy in their diets.”

But diet alone is just part of the soy-fish connection. There are also policies and regulations, as well as finding profitability.

“Like soybean farmers, input costs – especially feed – are the No. 1 factor of aquaculture farmer profitability,” Kuboushek says. “Soy is in consistent supply and an economical source of protein. The more we can help aquaculture farmers be successful using our product, the greater potential for mutual growth.”

SAA supports research by working with universities and graduate-level students as they help farmers and the soy industry reach its potential. One such endeavor looked at feed formulations.

“This past summer, we hosted a two-day virtual workshop for 24 future nutritionists in aquaculture to find feed formulations for every species and every life stage,” Kuboushek says.

“Education and outreach, informing the market, building

PHOTO COURTESY OF UNITED SOYBEAN BOARD

relationships, having key suppliers and key stakeholders, it’s all critical,” Kuboushek says.

SAA has established a small group of practicing industry experts to share their perspectives and discuss economic and political obstacles that stand in the way of allowing soybean farmers to be actively engaged in the process.

“There is so much opportunity in aquaculture,” Kuboushek says, adding that seafood consumption has passed beef consumption and has upward potential for demand growth.

“Seafood is a player in sustainability and reduction of carbon emissions. If we’re not preparing now, we’ll miss out down the road,” he says.

Insect meal, the current greatest source of protein for seafood, is proving cost prohibitive. Soybean meal offers a carbon-neutral solution and is much less expensive.

“It’s much better to be a player now than to try and catch up later,” Kuboushek says.

Since wild-caught fish is not sustainable, and aquaculture can be sourced sustainably with a much lower carbon footprint, domestic aquaculture will be part of that process.

Consumer demand

American grocers report hearing from customers that they want domestically grown, sustainably raised fish and shrimp.

“U.S. soy is a great solution to consumer demand for sustainable ingredients,” Kuboushek says. “SAA is working with certifying bodies and regulatory organizations to educate them about the benefits of U.S. soy.

“Right now, because of the barriers we have, the U.S. is behind as we are importing most of our seafood,” Kuboushek says.

Regulatory barriers over food security and sustainability, once lifted, could push soybeans into the forefront of aquaculture.

“We’re positioned for growth,” he

says. “Research and educating these regulatory organizations and finding solutions to help farmers be profitable is key.”

Five years from now, SAA hopes the regulatory environment will be much simpler for licensing aquaculture opportunities offshore and onshore.

“It’s too complex of a regulatory environment for an aquaculture farmer to get started,” Kuboushek says. “And the barrier to entry is profitability and trying to find a model that can compete with $7 per pound of shrimp.”

Once a friendlier regulatory and economic environment is created, and a stronger co-op supply chain is established, soybean farmers can make a profit. And when they can prove consistent results for grocers and consumers, Kuboushek says this latest version of surf ’n’ turf will be ready to serve.

Contact Jeff Hutton at jhutton@iasoybeans.com

“Education and outreach, informing the market, building relationships, having key suppliers and key stakeholders, it’s all critical.”

EASTON KUBOUSHEK, SAA executive director

PHOTO

COURTESY

OF UNITED SOYBEAN

BOARD

PHOTO COURTESY OF UNITED SOYBEAN BOARD

Building Preference for U.S. Soy

BY BETHANY BARATTA

Checkoff dollars support initiatives globally that boost demand and use of U.S. soy for humans and livestock. Tori Sorensen, a member of the U.S. Soybean Export Council’s (USSEC) board of directors and chairwoman for the Soy Excellence Center, shares how USSEC works on behalf of soybean farmers in global markets.

How are you connected to the soybean industry?

I’m the marketing director for Insta-Pro International, based in Grimes. We manufacture chemical-free processing equipment, such as extruders and oil presses, to make food and feed ingredients like full-fat soy, soybean meal and soy oil.

Growing up on a multi-generational farm in southeast Iowa, I am proud to represent my family and farmers across America through my work with USSEC.

Through my travels and communications with buyers worldwide, I believe U.S. soy is a solution that delivers an unmatched combination of proven quality, sustainability and unwavering reliability. U.S. soy is uniquely positioned to provide sustainable protein solutions for the complex challenges of a rising global population.

U.S. soy is often touted as being a first choice of customers globally. What makes U.S. soy stand out specifically to the livestock industry?

Protein. It’s an essential part of human and animal diets worldwide. And as the world’s population continues to grow, demand for all protein will remain front and center.

In fact, all signs point to significant growth in protein demand, a trajectory occurring over the last decade and predicted to continue through 2030.

This increasing demand for meat, poultry, fish and other protein sources puts U.S. soybean growers in a great position to be a preferred provider at home and abroad.

Globally, animal agriculture is the largest customer for U.S. soy; nearly 97% of all U.S. soybean meal ends up in feed. Poultry and swine are the largest soybean meal consumers. In 2020, these two groups consumed 88% of the soybean meal in the U.S.

Globally, food production systems rely on U.S. soy to be a consistent source of protein, and it’s no secret that for poultry, livestock and seafood, U.S. soybean meal is the best source.

Attributes of U.S. soy make it a top choice for checkoff investments to boost demand for soy abroad

Tori Sorensen at a farm in Honduras with members of the SEC Steering Committee and SEC Americas Advisory Council.

The key difference between the U.S. and our competitors is U.S. soybean farmers provide the feed industry with the most consistent and reliable source of soy protein in the world.

To meet the global demand for animal feed, the farmers who grow sustainable U.S. soy care about being a reliable supplier and take pride in providing a high-quality product to their international customers.

What does soy have that other ingredients don’t?

U.S. soy is a source of complete and essential nutrients for humans and animals, providing all nine of the essential amino acids necessary for a healthy diet.

Among global soy origins, U.S. soy has an excellent amino acid profile, increased metabolizable energy content due to higher sugar levels, lower fiber content and improved amino acid digestibility, higher total phosphorus content, and greater uniformity of nutrients.

U.S. soy also has a higher concentration of essential amino acids and digestible energy than soy from other origins.

Why is the amino acid component important?

Critical for animal function, amino acids are responsible for the growth and development of an organism, from building muscles and regulating the immune system to generating hormones and neurotransmitters.

Proteins are made up of several different combinations of approximately 20 amino acids. During digestion, animals break down proteins into individual amino acids that are absorbed into the bloodstream.

Out of these 20 amino acids, there are 10 that animals cannot make. Animals can recycle some amino acids to build new proteins, but other amino acids, such as lysine, methionine and threonine can only be obtained through feed.

With 10 essential and 10 non-essential amino acids, U.S. soybean meal is cost-effective in supplying essential amino acids and has very good lysine content and digestibility. Soybean meal is also ranked high in threonine digestibility.

sustainability in collaboration with diverse food and agriculture stakeholders.

Our vision for SECs is to create a global network of tomorrow’s leaders in soy across the globe. As a professional development program, SECs can provide a pathway for participants to achieve professional certification and career advancement.

How do SECs benefit the U.S. soy industry?

Soy Excellence Centers increase the capacity of enterprises in the protein value chain in emerging markets. This increased capacity leads to increased soy utilization and diversified demand for U.S. soy.

Individuals trained in SECs are the future leaders of the protein value chain in these emerging markets. Through regular communications, advanced learning opportunities and protein value chain community development efforts, SECs create long-term connections and an affinity for U.S. soy among the future decision-makers in these emerging markets.

SECs provide a value-added service in the form of workforce training and capacity building for USSEC enterprises in emerging markets.

Are any new research or opportunities on the horizon related to livestock feeding?

By investing in new feeding trials through the United Soybean Board (USB), we continue to showcase how new genetics improve the amino acid profile of the soybean, which translates to improved animal performance.

Is there anything else farmers should know about how their checkoff investment is used to build preference for U.S. soy globally?

We work hard to make farmers’ investments work for you and future generations.

The U.S. soybean industry, supported by USB, works through organizations like USSEC and the American Soybean

Globally, animal agriculture is the largest customer for U.S. soy; nearly 97% of all U.S. soybean meal ends up in feed.

Association’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health to build relationships, provide networking and connect members of the value chain, ultimately creating long term demand for U.S. Soy in developing and emerging markets.

Education through training and relationship building is a cornerstone of our work.

Through USSEC, the U.S. soy industry has provided educational training for companies and individuals around the globe. In 2019, we took that training further by launching the first of five Soy Excellence Centers (SECs).

The SEC mission is to provide world-class workforce training and capacity building within the soy value chain to enable local visions for health, nutrition and environmental

These organizations allow soybean growers to differentiate U.S. soy and create partnerships built on trust and reliability.

While principles from the U.S. help guide success in other countries, these organizations work hard to customize their approach for each region and allow for nuances in local governments and local consumer preferences. Meeting customers where they are on the path to purchasing U.S. soy can help set U.S. soybean growers up for success in the future.

Contact Bethany Baratta at bbaratta@iasoybeans.com

How are the soy organizations you are involved with helping producers across the globe learn how to utilize U.S. soy in livestock diets?

For Farmers by Farmers

Coalition helps livestock farmers implement best management practices

BY KRISS NELSON

For 18 years, the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) has assisted Iowa farmers in navigating through rules and regulations surrounding livestock farming.

“The Coalition was created by farmers for farmers to work with farm families and give them advice in siting new barns and feedlots, interpreting rules and regulations, enhancing neighbor relations, and implementing best management practices,” says Brian Waddingham, CSIF executive director.

CSIF is a partnership involving the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA), Iowa Beef Council, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Poultry Association, Iowa Turkey Federation and Midwest Dairy.

“We understand livestock is an important attribute to agriculture – especially in Iowa,” says Dave Struthers, ISA

District 5 director from Collins. “The Coalition helps to ensure all livestock facets are done responsibly.”

Funding investments from ISA through checkoff dollars were $150,000 in 2022 and will remain the same in 2023.

“Livestock is our No. 1 soybean customer, and with Iowa also being the leading processor and feed supplier of soybean meal, it makes sense to grow our in-state livestock industry to help feed the world,” says Grant Kimberley, ISA senior director of market development.

Struthers says the expansion of Iowa’s livestock industry helps the economy and soybean farmers find a market for their soybean meal.

“As we look for uses for soybeans, livestock feed is the primary use – especially for soybean meal,” he says. “We need to ensure livestock farmers in Iowa can thrive and

“The Coalition was created by farmers for farmers to work with farm families and give them advice in siting new barns and feedlots, interpreting rules and regulations, enhancing neighbor relations, and implementing best management practices.”

BRIAN WADDINGHAM, CSIF executive director

have good guidance when they want to expand or start a new livestock operation. The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers is a key in helping farmers do those things.”

Waddingham says soybean checkoff dollars support CSIF’s work in siting new livestock and poultry barns.

“Siting and building barns in the correct locations grows Iowa’s livestock and poultry industries, generating demand for soybeans,” Waddingham says. “Checkoff investments are being used as efficiently as possible to see Iowa’s livestock industry grow.”

Assisting farmers

Since 2004, CSIF has assisted more than 5,000 farm families to:

• Follow rules and regulations that apply to livestock farming in Iowa;

• Choose good locations for new livestock farms, taking into account the proximity of neighboring residences, towns, roads, parks, churches and other public use areas, as well as topography and prevailing wind directions;

• Enhance relationships with neighbors by fostering better and more timely communication about the construction of new livestock farms, participating in community discussions and networking with members of the news media to discuss intentions about moving forward on new livestock farms; and

• Safeguard air, soil and water quality by planting trees around new and existing farms.

“We are here for any farmer that has a question about their livestock or poultry farm or wants to start a livestock or poultry farm. Services are free and confidential due

to the generous support of Iowa’s commodity groups,” says Waddingham.

CSIF also assists other states to build their own coalitions similar to CSIF.

“Since I started working for CSIF in 2010, I have helped South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota and Illinois with questions on how to structure their organizations,” says Waddingham. “They all differ, but at the end of the day, those coalitions are there to help livestock farmers.”

Reaching out

CSIF was started during the rapid expansion of Iowa’s hog industry in the late 1990s.

“There was a vision something needed to be done proactively,” says Waddingham. “Over the years, we have evolved from assisting farmers with just pigs and cattle; now to turkey, poultry, dairy, fish and shrimp. Anything an Iowa farmer wants to raise that has feet, wings or fins, we can help.”

Waddingham encourages farmers with new or expanding livestock operations to contact CSIF for assistance and an understanding of Iowa’s rules and regulations.

“There are rules for any livestock or poultry facility you build today from a 10-head open lot or 1,000-head confinement barn,” he says. “We can help explain the rules and how they impact what you are doing on your farm.”

Farm families can call CSIF at 800-932-2436.

Contact Kriss Nelson at knelson@iasoybeans.com

“We need to ensure livestock farmers in Iowa can thrive and have good guidance when they want to expand or start a new livestock operation. The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers is a key in helping farmers do those things.”

DAVE STRUTHERS ISA District 5 director

A Farmer’s Friend

Animal Agriculture Alliance bridges communication between farmers and food communities

BY JOSEPH HOPPER

MEET THE CEO

The Animal Agriculture Alliance “welcomed” Hannah Thompson-Weeman as its newest president and CEO earlier this year – although she’s not a new face on the team.

Hannah joined the Alliance in 2014 as director of communications and since that time has been promoted to vice president of communications before leading strategic engagement.

Hannah’s expertise and passion has made her a sought-after columnist for various publications and speaker for national and even international events, helping to build the Alliance brand. She holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communication with a minor in agricultural business and a master’s degree in agricultural and extension education, both from The Ohio State University.

First founded in 1987, the Animal Agriculture Alliance (AAA) is a 501(c)(3) comprised of members from across the broad spectrum of agriculture. The Alliance is led by an executive board comprised from all sectors of the animal agriculture community, which includes representation from the Iowa Soybean Association. Emily Solis, AAA communications and content manager, answered our questions to introduce AAA and how the organization is an important ally of the American farmer.

What is AAA?

We work to safeguard the future of animal agriculture and its value to society by bridging the communication gap between the farm and food communities.

Our motto is connect, engage, protect. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them to better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.

We are small but mighty team made up of five dedicated full-time team members.

How does AAA support farmers?

The Alliance is proud to work on behalf of farmers, ranchers, veterinarians, animal feed companies, animal health companies, processors, allied associations and others involved in getting food from the farm to our forks.

We understand that farmers and ranchers, specifically, have so many things going on at all times in their lives and it can be hard to stay on top of it all. We monitor animal rights activism so you don’t have to. This includes alerting farms and facilities of potential activist

threats to you, your family, and your livelihood. Each year we also send representatives to various animal rights conferences and events to gain insight on upcoming tactics and campaigns to be aware of.

Externally, we’re positioning ourselves as the go-to resource on issues affecting animal agriculture. We’ve built relationships with restaurant, retail and foodservice brands; registered dietitians; and media outlets to ensure they’re hearing our side of the story – and not just what animal rights activists want them to hear.

We continue to grow the list of advocates for agriculture who are sharing their stories and spreading positive messages through our College Aggies Online and Animal Ag Allies programs. The goal of both programs is to help these advocates become effective and confident communicators.

What important issues is AAA focused on today?

Our key issues include animal welfare, sustainability, nutrition and antibiotic use. Traditionally, animal welfare has been one of the Alliance’s main focus areas, but more recently sustainability has risen to the top of the list. As climate concerns grow, animal rights groups continue to press that removing meat, milk, poultry and eggs from our diet is necessary to save the planet. Increasingly, these groups are no longer just looking at the “sustainability” of raising the animals, they are also looking at the “sustainability” of animal feeds. We were actively engaged in the United Nations Food Systems Summit last year and have been closely following the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health this year to ensure animal agriculture maintains its role in a sustainable food system.

In addition to our key issues, we’re continuously monitoring legislation that impacts animal agriculture. We have a map on our

website that lists these various pieces of legislation in each state and at the federal level, as well as current issues and trends we’re seeing take shape across the country.

How is ISA supporting AAA?

ISA has been an AAA partner for nearly a decade. The Alliance is dedicated to growing and protecting domestic livestock and poultry production. These efforts directly benefit Iowa and U.S. soybean farmers by generating demand for soy.

According to the latest edition of Soy Stats published by the American Soybean Association, soy comprises 61% of feed rations for poultry, 18% for pork, 13.4% for dairy and 5% for cattle.

ISA’s investment enables the alliance to champion the U.S. poultry and livestock industry, draw attention to the positive impact of soy as a feed ingredient, and create opportunities for the industry’s growth.

Contact Joseph Hopper at jhopper@iasoybeans.com

“They are true professionals and have the backs of U.S. farmers.”

AARON PUTZE, APR ISA sr. director, information & education AAA board member

On World Food Day and every day, WISHH’S strategic partners take local action.

WISHH is a program of the American Soybean Association and is funded in part by the United Soybean Board and state soybean board checkoff programs.

Guatemalan Rotary Clubs - a WISHH Strategic Partner

where the

meets the road. And the

And

A Perfect Pairing

Rural Route 2

Editor’s Note by Bethany Baratta bbaratta@iasoybeans.com

Peanut butter and jelly. Sonny and Cher. Macaroni and cheese. Mickey and Minnie. Shoes. The best things come in pairs. Take soybeans and livestock, for example.

As a great source of protein and rich in amino acids, soybeans are a premier choice for livestock feed. Nearly 61% of the soybeans grown in the U.S. goes to feed poultry, including turkeys, which will soon be destined for your Thanksgiving feast. In these turkeys’ lifetimes, they’ll each gobble up around onethird of a bushel of soybeans – about 20 pounds or half their body weight.

Turkeys raised in Iowa are typically found behind the deli counter or in a favorite Jimmy John’s or Subway sandwich and consume about 4 million bushels of soybeans each year.

Soybeans are also a key source of nutrients for other protein-rich favorites, such as chicken, pork, eggs, fish, dairy and beef.

Why is soy so good? I asked Grant Kimberley, ISA’s senior director of market development, for his perspective.

“It’s the premier vegetable protein choice for livestock production because it has one of the best natural amino profiles of any protein-based feed source out there,” he says.

What does this perfect pairing of soy and livestock mean for Iowa?

“Increasing livestock production supports the state’s economy while increasing demand for U.S. soy,” Kimberley says.

A recent study from the United Soybean Board and the National Oilseeds Processors Association shows the soy value chain has a $15 billion impact on Iowa’s economy.

While soybean production makes up the bulk of the economic impact at $11.5 billion, soybean delivery,

grain elevators and crushing account for $2.56 billion. Feed milling and selected food use make up $311 million of Iowa’s total impact.

In this issue of the Iowa Soybean Review, read how your checkoff investment supports the work of the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers, which helps farmers responsibly start or grow their livestock farms. Dive into how the Soy Aquaculture Alliance is building a preference for soy while increasing domestic aquaculture production. Also, learn how your checkoff investment creates a preference for U.S. soy internationally.

In this season of thanksgiving, we give thanks for the gifts in our lives. I’m grateful for farmers – your work is defined in acres, not in hours. I’m thankful for those who help you, too – your husbands and wives who look after other parts of your home and farm while you’re in the barns and the fields. Thank you for what you do to provide the feed (for the aforementioned livestock), food (for my family and me), fiber and fuel (for all of us).

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