For advertising information contact Bethany Baratta at (515) 334-1020 or bbaratta@iasoybeans.com
February 2025 | Vol. 38, No. 5
Partnerships drive innovation for soybeans.
8
A Key Ingredient
Soy offers a complete nutritional package for livestock.
22 Selling Soy Through Meat
Meat exports deliver for Iowa soybean growers.
24
Friend of the Farmer
Roger Wolf recognized for his 25 years of service to Iowa’s farmers.
On the Cover:
Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) District 3 Director Amanda Tupper in her family’s pig barn in Chickasaw County. Soybeans are a vital part of a pig’s diet; the livestock sector is a large consumer of soybeans. In this issue, learn how the livestock and soybean industries work together to build demand for the products farmers grow and raise on the farm.
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Executive Insights
Kirk Leeds, ISA Chief Executive Officer kleeds@iasoybeans.com
The Power of Public Investment
Soybeans are a cornerstone of U.S. agriculture. They spur significant economic, environmental, and nutritional value. The crop’s success is not accidental. Behind every productive field lies a vast network of research and collaboration. Public investments courtesy of the soybean checkoff and private funding from seed and technology companies play essential roles in advancing soybean production. Combined, they drive innovation for one of America’s most critical crops.
The farmer-created soybean checkoff collects a small assessment on every bushel of soybeans sold. These dollars are strategically invested into research, market development, and communications. Unlike private funding which focuses on proprietary technologies, checkoff-funded research benefits all growers by addressing broad agronomic challenges and sustainability goals.
One shining example of the checkoff’s impact is the work conducted through the Iowa Soybean Research Center (ISRC) at Iowa State University. Since its inception at the urging of the Iowa Soybean Association, ISRC has partnered with Iowa soybean farmers, land-grant researchers, and industry stakeholders to tackle pressing issues like pest and disease management, soil health, and precision agriculture. This collaborative model ensures checkoff investments
are matched with expertise and resources from the private sector, maximizing impact.
ISRC has spearheaded efforts to improve soybean resistance to two of the most significant threats to soybean yields: sudden death syndrome and soybean cyst nematode. Through innovative breeding techniques and integrated pest management strategies, farmers have seen tangible benefits in both productivity and profitability.
The North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP) complements these efforts. The multi-state collaborative has supported soybean research for more than 30 years. It focuses on issues that transcend state borders, pooling checkoff dollars from 13 soybean-producing states to address shared challenges.
Since its founding, NCSRP has played a pivotal role in developing disease-resistant varieties, improving nutrient management practices, and promoting sustainable farming systems. Notably, its work on soybean aphid control has saved farmers millions of dollars in pesticide costs and prevented yield losses. This success underscores the importance of coordinated, longterm investments in research.
While public investments lay the foundation for broad agronomic advancements, private companies contribute cutting-edge technologies. They include genetically modified traits and precision agriculture tools.
Together, public and private investments create a synergistic effect, delivering both foundational knowledge and innovative solutions. For example, private companies have developed herbicide-resistant traits giving farmers more options for weed control. Meanwhile, checkoff-funded research ensures these tools are used effectively within integrated systems, maximizing their benefits while minimizing resistance risks.
The continued collaboration between public institutions, checkoff programs, and private companies is vital as soybean farmers face weather and market volatility, and evolving pest and disease pressures. Initiatives like the ISRC and NCSRP provide a model for leveraging collective resources and expertise to solve complex problems.
Farmers benefit from these efforts, from increased yields and reduced input costs to improved environmental outcomes. Soybean checkoff dollars combined with strategic partnerships ensure innovation remains a driving force in American agriculture. This collective investment in research and development improves soybeans, benefiting farmers and securing a sustainable and prosperous future for all.
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The developing and emerging nations of today are the home of tomorrow’s U.S. Soy customers
A Winning Combination
Ham and cheese. Batman and Robin. Peanut butter and jelly. Soybeans and livestock. Dynamic duos.
The most important customer of U.S. soybeans, livestock, consumes 97% of U.S. soybean meal, according to the United Soybean Board.
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 winning combination of soy and livestock mean for Iowa?
“Increasing livestock production supports the state’s economy while increasing demand for U.S. soy,” Kimberley says.
Rural Route 2
Editor’s Note by Bethany Baratta bbaratta@iasoybeans.com
A recent study commissioned by the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF), shows that livestock farming and related industries account for $20.4 billion in value-added contributions for the state, up nearly $5 billion from 2017. It also accounts for nearly 170,000 jobs across Iowa.
“There’s no question that the livestock industry is a critical piece to Iowa’s overall economy,” says CSIF Executive Director Brian Waddingham. “It’s also key to keeping farm families living and working on the land.”
The study, conducted by Decision Innovation Solutions, also noted that crop farming and processing account for 99,271 jobs, and $16.2 billion in value-added contributions to Iowa, up from $11.1 billion dollars in 2017.
The crops category, including industries such as grain and oilseed farming and crop food processing industries, contribute $16.2 billion to the Iowa economy. Crop production makes up a majority of this contribution with a total of around $12.7 billion; crop processing makes up the remaining amount of around $3.5 billion. This category includes activities such as flour milling, soybean processing and breakfast cereal manufacturing. A total of 99,271 jobs are derived from industries in the crops category. Of this, 57,106 are derived from grain production, 16,797 from oilseed production, 4,329 from other crop production, and 21,040 from crop processing.
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 and grow their livestock farms. Learn from livestock farmers about why soybeans are their preferred choice of feed for their animals, despite available alternatives.
As someone who grew up raising livestock on a family farm, I appreciate the hours that go into caring for livestock. I’m grateful for farmers — in the fields and in the barns. 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).
Soy offers a complete nutritional package for livestock
The value of soy isn’t lost on Amanda Tupper.
An Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) District 3 Director from Chickasaw County, Tupper and her family raise soybeans, corn, cattle and hogs. Some of that soy feeds the hogs she raises; soy is an affordable protein that benefits both animals and consumers who will later enjoy a pork tenderloin, bacon or ham.
“Soy is one of the densest sources of protein; it’s more digestible for our pigs and we get more bang for our buck,” she says.
‘Symbiotic relationship’
Tupper’s pigs enjoy a healthy diet of soybean meal throughout their lifecycle.
When the pigs first enter the Tupper farm’s nursery, about 30% of their diet is soy. As the pigs grow, the percentage of soy in the feed ration decreases. But roughly 10-12% of their diets include soy through to the finishing stage of their lifecycle.
“We use soybean meal because it’s affordable for us and our customers,” she says. “With the health benefits, it’s good for the pigs, but it’s also better for our bottom line.”
The Tuppers sell soybeans to a local crush plant. The soybean meal then ends up at the farm, going back to feed their pigs.
“There’s a symbiotic relationship in that cycle,” she says.
Sourcing a homegrown resource makes a difference in the farm’s budget, Tupper says.
Feeding time at the Tupper farm.
“It’s been a little rough raising pigs the last couple of years, so it makes sense to use as much soy as we can.”
“On the value side of things, soymeal is readily available, it’s cost effective for our operation and it’s produced locally,” she says. “It really does help our bottom line and on the consumer side of things it helps to keep food prices low.”
Fit for multiple species
Tupper is not alone in her support of the use of soy for livestock.
Former ISA Director Scott McGregor from nearby Nashua utilizes soymeal for his cow-calf operation.
Scott McGregor, farmer and former ISA director
“Soybeans are really important and provide important amino acids for our calves,” he says. “The soymeal pellets that we use have been a great benefit to our animals.”
McGregor says it’s important to recognize the value soy has for multiple livestock markets because Iowa’s soybean producers are always looking for new opportunities to share and sell their soybeans.
STORY BY PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF HUTTON JOCLYN BUSHMAN
“On the value side of things, soymeal is readily available, it’s cost effective for our operation, and it’s produced locally. It really does help our bottom line and on the consumer side of things it helps to keep food prices low.”
Amanda Tupper
And Gretta Irwin, the executive director of the Iowa Turkey Federation, can attest to the value of soy for Iowa’s more than 130 turkey farms across the state.
“We’re utilizing local sources of feed, and that’s good for rural Iowa,” she says.
Locally sourced products like soybean meal contribute to the value-added chain within agriculture.
“And Iowa soybean meal adds to the confidence that consumers have about the safe ingredients we’re using in our turkeys’ diets,” Irwin says.
Roughly 12 million turkeys are raised annually in the state.
“On average, one turkey consumes about a bushel of corn and one-third of a bushel of soybeans over its lifespan,” says Irwin, adding soy is clearly an important source of calories and energy.
And it’s not just turkeys, cattle and hogs.
The North Central Poultry Association and the Iowa Egg Council report Iowa’s chicken layers consume 55 million bushels of corn and nearly 505,000 tons of soybean meal yearly. And in Iowa there are nearly 45 million laying hens.
Dr. Stacey Roberts, director of nutrition at Versova, a company that brings together egg producers from Iowa, Ohio, Washington, Oregon, Utah and Colorado, says soybean meal is critical to the overall health of their hens.
“For me as a nutritionist, soymeal is plentiful and readily available,” she says. “We use soymeal primarily for its protein and amino acids. It complements corn in meeting the nutritional needs of our animals and what we need in chicken feed.”
Roberts says soymeal is part of a “nutritionally robust nutrition program for the chickens, ensuring our hens have what they need.”
Rising global demand
U.S. soybeans are generally considered to offer increased benefits, compared to other soybean-producing countries including higher sucrose levels, superior amino acid profile, better digestibility, increased metabolizable energy and lower fiber.
And with demand for soybean oil and bio-based feedstocks for fuel production on the rise, more markets are recognizing the value and versatility of soybean oil. This emerging demand positions soybean oil as an important value driver relative to soybean meal.
Processors are increasing their crushing efforts to produce oil. And as crushing for oil expands, meal production will increase as well, providing an opportunity for U.S. soybean producers to set the standard for growing more plant-based protein sources like soybean meal.
Vital component
Be it chicken, turkeys, cattle or hogs, soybeans are a critical component within the livestock industry.
“Soy is pretty vital to our operation, especially on the livestock side of things,” says Tupper. “It’s affordable, provides high-protein content, is gut-friendly for the hogs. It allows us to continue to raise livestock generation after generation. Soy will always be a part of our feed rations — not only on our farm, but overall, for the industry.”
Contact Jeff Hutton at jhutton@iasoybeans.com
Gretta Irwin, Iowa Turkey Federation executive director
Dr. Stacey Roberts, Versova director of nutrition
Soy is part of a complete protein package for livestock.
EXPLORING SOY IN FEED
U.S. MEAL
DEMAND
The rising global demand for animal protein means soybean meal demand remains high, which helps ensure adequate soybean oil supply to meet the needs of the food and fuel sectors.
NUTRITION
For the past 50 years, U.S. soybean meal has provided the animal feed industry with an unmatched package of high nutrient density, a superior amino acid profile and necessary vitamins and minerals.
During a recent soybean marketing year, 33.12 million short tons of soybean meal were consumed by the animal agriculture segment. The specific distribution in tons, by species, includes:
Poultry — 20.28 million
Swine — 5.95 million
Dairy cows — 4.4 million
Beef — 1.69 million
Source: United Soybean Board
Animal agriculture consumes 97% of U.S. soybean meal.
Thriving, competitive farms run on the hard work of Iowa farmers.
Their #1 tool against weeds? Glyphosate.
For half a century, glyphosate has helped protect Iowa corn, soybeans, and alfalfa from one of farmers’ biggest adversaries: Weeds. But now, a lack of legislative certainty around pesticide labeling requirements is threatening farmers’ access to this crucial tool.
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connect • engage • protect
Get to know the Animal Ag Alliance and its important mission
When trying to share the story of agriculture with a world of consumers, it helps to have some like-minded friends. For the last 15 years Aaron Putze, chief officer of brand management and engagement at the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA), has served on the Animal Agriculture Alliance Executive Board. The Alliance is a 501(c)(3), founded in 1987 and comprised of members from across the broad spectrum of agriculture. It’s led by its executive board which features representation from all sectors of the animal agriculture community. Emily Ellis, communications and content manager for the Animal Agriculture Alliance, and Putze answered our questions to learn more about its activities and its mission to serve U.S. farmers.
STORY BY PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSEPH HOPPER JOCLYN BUSHMAN
Q: What is the Animal Agriculture Alliance?
Putze: The alliance is a friend of the soybean farmer and U.S. agriculture, dedicated to advancing the responsible and successful growth of domestic livestock, dairy and poultry production. Founded in 1987, the alliance brings together farmers, veterinarians, animal feed and health companies, and all who are interested in growing and serving consumers through the production and availability of wholesome meat, poultry and dairy. The Alliance’s motto: Connect, Engage, Protect.
Ellis: The Animal Agriculture Alliance is a non-profit organization that brings together 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 safeguard the future of animal agriculture and its value to society by bridging the communication gap between the farm and food communities. 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 better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.
Q: How are you involved, Aaron?
Putze: It’s been a true privilege to serve as a member of the Animal Ag Alliance board for 15 years. It’s a privilege to serve in a such a capacity, supporting the livestock industry while furthering the prosperity of Iowa and U.S. soybean farmers who depend on the demand for their product provided by strong domestic livestock, poultry and dairy industries.
Q: What issues are front and center?
Putze: The alliance advocates on behalf of U.S. livestock farmers. It has their back when activists come calling, provides objective and timely information when media and audiences come calling and fosters the growth of college and university students who see their future in the industry. It connects key food industry stakeholders, engages food chain influencers and promotes consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture.
Ellis: Misleading information about agriculture is not only harmful to farmers and ranchers, it also threatens our nation’s food security. The Animal Agriculture Alliance engages on key issues including animal welfare, sustainability, antibiotic use, and nutrition to ensure food chain influencers like media outlets, dietitians, government officials, and brands have the information they need to make informed decisions — and can relay that information to their followers, constituents, and customers.
The alliance also actively monitors animal rights extremist organizations to ensure the animal agriculture community is prepared for potential threats. This includes attending animal rights conferences and highlighting key takeaways, tactics, and upcoming campaigns to our members, like the Iowa Soybean Association. The ultimate goal of these groups is to eliminate animal agriculture and achieve “animal liberation.” This impacts crop farmers as animal agriculture is a primary market for soybeans and corn.
Q: Why are these issues also important to Iowa soybean farmers?
Putze: The value of the soybean is largely dependent on its protein. Domestic livestock, dairy and poultry production is the primary consumer of soybean meal. Without this market, soybean demand and prices would be severely impacted. Maintaining a strong and growing animal ag industry is a priority shared by soybean farmers and the alliance.
Ellis: Livestock, poultry, and crop farmers work handin-hand to raise and produce nutrient-dense foods for consumers. The success of animal agriculture is directly related to the success of soybean (and other crop) farmers — and vice versa. It’s important we all work together to address challenges and find new opportunities. This is what the “connect” part of the alliance’s mission is all about, as we work to bring together the agriculture community and food supply chain.
Contact Joseph Hopper at jhopper@iasoybeans.com
Aaron Putze
Iowa Soybean Association chief officer of brand management and engagement
Emily Ellis
Animal Agriculture Alliance communications and content manager
Is Soybean Meal Losing its Dominance in Livestock Feed?
Swine shift away from soybean meal, broiler chickens maintain consumption
STORY BY KRISS NELSON
Soybean meal is a major protein source for animals. But, with alternative protein sources available, is soybean meal losing its place in the livestock feed market?
The answer is mixed. Broiler chicken and laying hen diets increasingly rely on soybean meal, while swine diets use less.
“The really positive aspect is that soybean meal consumption by our largest customer, the broiler industry, is increasing,” says Philip Lobo, owner of Lobo Consulting Solutions, LLC. “Better yet, broiler production and domestic consumption of chicken is increasing.”
Poultry is the U.S. soy’s No. 1 domestic customer using 66.2% of the soybean meal consumed by animals. Swine comes in second, consuming 17.5%.
While the swine industry continues to be the second largest consumer of domestic soybean meal, consumption, however, has decreased by 30%.
“While I believe we shouldn’t overlook multiple advantages of soybean meal in supporting pigs’ health and growth, it seems that no one has found the minimum level of soybean meal that can be incorporated to achieve these objectives,” says Lobo. “Until there is some consensus on minimum dietary soybean meal level by stage of life, it appears soybean meal consumption by the global swine sector will continue to decline.”
Between 2017 and 2022, the pork industry reduced its use of domestic soybean meal by over 1.2 million tons (16.5%) despite a 5.5% increase in pork production.
“The swine feed industry is structured in a way they can use mid-proteins, whether it is canola meal, DDGs or another mid-protein supplemented with feed-grade amino acids,” says Lobo. “And the decline is being seen globally.”
According to Lobo, China and the European Union (EU) are both aggressively attempting to reduce the use of U.S. and South American soybean meal.
“For the global swine industry, this is more of a value proposition,” he says. “They can have the lower feed costs and maintain the same feed conversion ratio.”
The shift away from soybean meal in swine feed started in the late 1990s with the introduction of feed-grade lysine.
“This shift began 25 years ago, and it is not going to change overnight,” says Lobo. “Soybean meal does promote better health in pigs, but we don’t know the mode of action. Until a nutritionist and veterinarian can agree upon a mode of action, we are unlikely to see more soybean meal used to support health.”
However, Lobo suggests extra soybean meal in the diet to counteract summer heat stress weight loss in pigs is an opportunity to drive additional consumption. He referred to information provided by Dr. Bart Borg, PhD, vice president of feed and nutrition at Passel Farms in Ames.
“Dr. Borg demonstrated that although a summer diet with more soybean meal is about $5 per head more expensive, the improved sale weight means a producer would make nearly $2 more per head in net margin,” Lobo says.
The United Soybean Board is working diligently to raise swine producers’ awareness of this opportunity. They also continue research to improve soybean meal use in many livestock and poultry feeds.
“There is a giant amount of research going into soybean meal’s ability to enhance health in swine,” says Lobo, “And there is research in broilers, layers, turkeys, dairy cows and even some in beef cattle.”
Philip Lobo, owner of Lobo Consulting Solutions, LLC
Will soybean meal remain a key feed ingredient?
Livestock feed continues to account for 97% of domestic demand for U.S. soybean meal.
According to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), chicken production increased from 41.2 billion pounds in 2017 to 45.7 billion pounds in 2022, an increase of 10.9%.
According to the Soybean Meal Demand Assessment conducted by Decision Innovation Solutions, an economics firm based in Urbandale, soybean meal consumption by the U.S. broiler sector increased from 15 million tons in 2017 to 18.2 million tons in 2022, an increase of 21.5%.
In addition to the ever-increasing broiler consumption, Lobo says the egg industry is also seeing value in soybean meal.
“Soybean meal consumption in the egg industry went up 28% from 2017-2022,” he says. “This is all very positive for the soybean industry.”
Broiler chicken genetics are evolving, leading to a greater need for nutrient-dense diets and it’s clear that U.S. chicken producers’ nutritionists value the nutrient density found in U.S. soybean meal.
The U.S. broiler industry, the largest consumer of U.S. soybean meal, is expanding yearly, driven by increased soybean meal usage and chicken consumption.
“When you look at the domestic consumption of chicken versus pork, while the consumption of chicken is growing, U.S. per capita pork consumption is really, really flat,” says Lobo.
Domestic per capita pork consumption is within .2% of where it was in 2000. In contrast, broiler chicken consumption is over 33% higher from that time.
“Broiler consumption has steadily risen by over a pound per person per year, which is good news for soybean farmers,” says Lobo.
Contact Kriss Nelson at knelson@iasoybeans.com
“ Soybean meal consumption in the egg industry went up 28% from 2017-2022. This is all very positive for the soybean industry.”
Philip Lobo
FARMER LEADER ELECTED TO ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF U.S. G ROWERS
BETHANY
During its annual election meeting recently, the American Soybean Association (ASA) Board of Directors voted in the executive committee members who will lead the organization through the coming year’s top advocacy priorities, including farm bill, tax policy, regulations, biofuels and more.
The ASA board elected Dave Walton to serve as ASA secretary. Walton, a seventh-generation farmer from Wilton, is also an Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) District 6 Director.
Walton and his family raise soybeans, corn, wheat and cattle on their eastern Iowa farm.
“Being a part of the ASA Executive committee is probably one of the more important roles I’ve had because I’m not only bringing the voice of the Iowa farmer to the national stage, but I get the opportunity to talk on behalf of the 500,000 other American farmers,” Walton says.
As a new administration is welcomed into the White House, he and the other elected members will get started meeting the new faces in D.C.
“The first thing we’ll do is meet those folks to develop a relationship with them. The second thing we’ll do is educate,” Walton says. “In some cases, we’re going to have people in positions that aren’t as familiar with the issues that we need them to be.”
Top of mind for Walton and ASA: regulations regarding pesticides, Environmental Protection Agency herbicide strategies and biofuels.
“We may see a shift in how biofuels are approached, but we’re trying to place soybean farmers in a prime position to be the preferred feedstock suppliers,” Walton says.
While the Iowa Soybean Association largely takes a state-focused approach to national and state policies and advocacy, ASA works on issues that are overarching but touch every soybean farmer in the U.S.
“It’s a matter of focus, but the two complement each other,” he says.
He looks forward to working with the other soyrelated committees and organizations, including the United Soybean Board, U.S. Soybean Export Council and the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health.
“Even though I’m elected to an officer position on ASA, it’s really a team sport,” Walton says, noting that each complement each other. “We’re trying to do good work for soybean farmers.”
Contact Bethany Baratta at bbaratta@iasoybeans.com
DAVE WALTON ASA board secretary and farmer from Wilton
STORY BY
BARATTA
Assessing Impact on the Iowa Landscape
Roger Wolf ISA Director of Conservation rwolf@iasoybeans.com
Editor’s note: Roger Wolf, Iowa Soybean Association’s director of conservation, is set to retire later next month. I’ve asked him to put some thoughts together regarding his experiences and areas and acres of impact over his storied career.
Early in my career, I became aware of the challenges and opportunities farmers faced when changing practices, adapting old equipment, purchasing new tools, and trying to capture value from new technologies while managing the risk of failure.
From the late 1980 to the 2000s, Iowa farmers were navigating how to implement soil conservation plans. This period saw the rise of conservation tillage and no-till farming. State and federal policies and programs began to focus on soil and emerging water issues, attracting significant research interest.
Federally, there was a quasi-mandate for farmers cultivating Highly Erodible Land (HEL) to develop conservation plans as described in the 1985 Farm Bill. Farmers seeking federal commodity support payments had to develop and implement plans to prevent erosion and reduce soil loss on HEL fields. In the late 1990s, the Hypoxia Task Force on the Gulf of Mexico was formed, and Iowa was identified as one of the states needing to address nutrient loss.
Simultaneously, new technological developments emerged, including biotech seed genetics, chemistry programs, precision agriculture tools, integrated crop and livestock management, and research on the impacts of crop and land management on water quality.
In early 2000, I worked as an independent natural resource consultant, implementing a large-scale watershed-based education and demonstration project centered around the Raccoon River Watershed. The Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) was one of my clients in this effort. I engaged in discussions with key association leaders who were visionary in
assessing the situation and predicting future challenges for Iowa farmers. From these conversations, we developed action plans and strategies.
To meet the growing need, ISA created an internal staff position, hiring me as the director of environmental programs and services. We set out to build an environmental and conservation program to support farmers. Our goal was to become a leading provider of information and support to help farmers adopt more conservation practices on their farms. We prepared grant proposals and congressional requests, securing millions of dollars in funding.
Concurrently, I took on the role as executive director for Agriculture’s Clean Water Alliance (ACWA). This is a group of agricultural retailers who created a non-profit, initially serving the Raccoon River Watershed, and later expanding statewide. As it turns out, there’s a common interest in supporting Iowa farmers. The retailers became vital to drive impact as they are trusted advisors for farmers. ISA developed collaborative partnership projects, working closely with agricultural retailers, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University, the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service and others. These efforts enabled us to hire additional staff to create a team focused on building relationships with local partners and farmers.
Early projects involved farmers developing Environmental Management System plans. We explored how these plans brought value to the farmer. We also led watershed management planning on 25 small scale watersheds. These plans engaged local
partners and helped secure around $40 million to support farmers implementing practices.
We integrated data collection as part of on-farm research, allowing farmers to experience the impacts of changing management practices at the farm field scale. On-farm research became a crucial part of our programming at ISA. One of the main topics was nitrogen management, including changing aspects of management such as rate, timing or source and conducting replicated strip trials across entire farm fields.
Water monitoring has always been a key component. In 2009, when the ISA headquarters was built in Ankeny, we designed a water quality testing laboratory. Today, more than 4,000 samples per year are collected and processed in our Iowa Department of Natural Resources certified and accredited lab.
Between 2010 and 2020, my role at ISA evolved as I participated in various state and national task forces, working groups and committees. These engagements led to practices and projects that reduce nutrient loss, build healthier soils and target watershed efforts to improve water quality. This led to efforts such as the Mississippi River Basin Initiative projects, Regional Conservation Partnership Projects and State Nutrient Reduction Strategies, One Water Approach and blending in habitat for stacked environmental benefits. These new initiatives brought additional focus and financial resources supporting conservation project implementation.
Over 25 years of serving ISA, ACWA and Iowa farmers, I have been involved with securing and administering over $100 million of projects, engaging with hundreds of collaborators and working with thousands of Iowa farmers. Today, ISA champions a network of conservation agronomists, many of whom are located at ag retailers to support the scaling up of conservation adoption on farms.
The current focus is to scale the implementation of nutrient reduction and other conservation practices such as habitat projects like oxbow restorations and
pollinator habitats. We are working to find new ways to fund and finance support for scaling up this kind of work.
Though official roles and titles have evolved, my primary focus for the past 35 years has been enhancing Iowa’s natural resources, especially soil and water. All of this would not have happened without the visionary leadership of ISA management and board leadership. I feel very fortunate to have been given the privilege of working alongside and in support of great staff and collaborators.
Selling Soy Through Meat
Meat exports deliver for Iowa soybean growers
STORY BY BETHANY BARATTA
Building demand for soybeans is a global effort. One of the ways Iowa soybean farmers extract value from global endeavors is through its checkoff investment in the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
The inclusion of soy in livestock diets, specifically through pigs, means the pork loins sold throughout the world generate value to Iowa soybean growers. A $150,000 investment in USMEF helps sell soy through red meat exports. In 2023, pork exports accounted for 13.32 million bushels of Iowa soybean usage,
generating $187.42 million to soybean market value. (Soybeans consumed by pork exports at average soybean price. 13.32 million bushels consumed x $14.07 average soybean price per bushel.)
How does USMEF put the $150,000 Iowa soybean checkoff investment to work?
By leveraging these dollars with other checkoff investments and government Market Access Program dollars, USMEF effectively markets U.S.-grown red meat products in various ways throughout the world.
Dan Halstrom, USMEF president and CEO
“The fact that the U.S. soybean industry is vested in what we do allows us to take your dollars and make them go further,” says Dan Halstrom, USMEF president and CEO. “You’re not just investing dollars; you have the benefit of some of those government dollars that go with it. If you’re putting in $150,000, really, it’s a minimum of $300,000.”
The USMEF team frequently hosts teams of retail foodservice customers from various regions for market briefings, seminars, tours of manufacturing facilities and meat processing plants and visits to retail and foodservice outlets, focusing how U.S. pork and beef is utilized successfully in regions.
With a chef on staff, USMEF teams positioned throughout the world showcase the versatility of U.S. pork and beef, showing how various cooking methods and flavors can be enjoyed throughout their respective regions.
“We also tell the story of the inputs, highlighting the quality of the U.S. corn and soybeans that go into meat production,” says Halstrom, who grew up on a farm near Cherokee, Iowa, growing soybeans, corn and cattle.
“One of the backbones of our economy is agriculture. The U.S. is fortunate to be a surplus ag producer.”
Dan Halstrom
Market diversification
Like the U.S. soybean industry, USMEF has a diversified portfolio.
“There’s been a more concentrated effort the last 10 years to not be overly reliant on one region,” Halstrom says.
Take Colombia for example. Ten years ago, the region wasn’t even on the map from an export destination perspective.
Today, it’s one of the fastest growing regions of the world for pork and beef exports.
“It’s paid off, big time,” Halstrom says.
USMEF Latin America Representative Homero Recio says recent initiatives to develop new opportunities include a new product launch in Colombia.
“Colombia is a growing market for U.S. pork made up of trimmings, hams, loins and ribs. But how do we grow tonnage? There are different ways to do it,” he says. “One, you just sell more of what you already sell. Another way is to introduce new items and that’s what we’ve been working on with the Boston butt — pork’s best-kept secret.”
The new product with the most immediate potential in Colombia’s foodservice sector may be a pork burger derived from the Boston butt, Recio says.
In terms of new, untapped markets for U.S. red meat, Africa tops USMEF’s list. USMEF Africa Representative Matt Copeland says that by 2050, one in four people in the world will be African. It will take time, says Copeland, but this economic evolution in Africa will be also important to input providers, like the soybean industry.
“Ten years from now, I’m guessing we’ll be talking a lot about Africa in the same context as we’re talking about Central America,” Halstrom says.
Headwinds
As farmers well know, with success, comes headwinds. USMEF is actively working to break down non-tariff trade barriers, including expanded labeling requirements in Colombia, import permits into Morocco and plant registration challenges in Indonesia.
“These affect market access on a very broad scale,” Halstrom says.
“The more success we have, the more barriers pop up. That’s one area we spend a lot of time on,” he says. “It’s not just pork, beef and lamb, grains have the same challenges. The more we can do to break down barriers, the more opportunities we have.”
Contact Bethany Baratta at bbaratta@iasoybeans.com
More about Dan Halstrom
Studied marketing and finance at the University of Iowa.
Worked at Swift for 27 years.
The most interesting meat product he’s tried: Pork bung (rectum). It’s popular in Japan and Korea cuisine, especially barbequed. Though largely considered a waste product in the U.S., it contributes to the $2.1 billion in variety meat sales sold globally in 2024.
Best red meat product he’s ever had: Tonkatsu and beef tongue. Tonkatsu is a finely breaded, fried pork cutlet popular in Japanese cuisine. Also popular in Japan, beef tongue brings less than $1 per pound in the U.S.; it’s sold at more than $10 per pound in Japan.
Love and appreciation for agriculture comes from his rural upbringing. “I constantly preach that one of the backbones of our economy is agriculture. The U.S. is fortunate to be a surplus ag producer. That needs to be told more often. We all know that 1-2% of the population is involved and the other 98% doesn’t know enough about it.”
A Friend to Farmers
Roger Wolf recognized as ISA’s Friend of the Iowa Soybean Farmer
STORY BY JEFF HUTTON
We’ve heard it said that people come into our lives, for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led to those who help us most to grow
If we let them and we help them in return
Well, we don’t know if we believe that’s true
But we know we’re who we are today because we knew you.
With apologies to Stephen Schwartz, these modified lyrics from his song “For Good” might well describe Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) Roger Wolf. For 25 years, Wolf has indeed been that something “good” for conservation and water quality efforts across the state. His leadership has shaped those efforts and it’s, in part, why he has been named the recipient of the 2025 Friend of the Iowa Soybean Farmer Award.
Sponsored by Cargill, the award recognizes someone who has shown
a deep understanding of agricultural issues and supports Iowa soybean farmers through their actions.
Wolf’s work
As ISA director of conservation, he’s continually pursued new ways for farmers to improve the quality of their soil and water while keeping profitability at the forefront.
Wolf created conservation agronomist positions that leverage agronomic knowledge and promote the value of conservation practices. Iowa farmers now have access to a network of 18 conservation agronomists statewide who assist with conservation practice implementation, share timely information, and provide access to costshare opportunities.
Wolf played a critical role in developing the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund (SWOF), an outcomes-based financial incentive program for farmers implementing conservation practices. He helped spearhead programs like the Front 40, a platform for Iowa's
conservation-minded farmers, and ACWA, a non-profit association of ag retailers and support companies across the Iowa that helps farmers improve their agronomic performance while supporting environmental improvement efforts. As executive director for ACWA, he led the expansion from one watershed to a largescale water quality initiative.
Sara Herman, sustainability product manager for renewable fuels at Cargill, joins ISA President Brent Swart to present the 2025 Friend of the Iowa Soybean Farmer award to Roger Wolf.
We do it on behalf of farmers and for farmers. They are directly impacted in every aspect of what we’ve done.
Roger Wolf
A cooperative endeavor
When he started at ISA in 2000, he and others made several trips to Washington, D.C., to meet with policymakers about the importance of programming, cooperative agreements, watershed work, on-farm research and nitrogen management.
“We made the case for targeted initiative with the Mississippi River Basin,” he says. “And we were also there during the early talks about conservation and the emergence of the Regional Conservation Partnership Program and for ways for our partners to engage with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).”
Wolf and others focused much of their time on energy use data and how that information could improve farmers’ operations, helping them become more energy efficient while improving soil and water quality.
While the recognition is humbling, Wolf defers much of the credit to those who work alongside him and the Iowa farmers who understood the importance of conservation and water quality initiatives.
He says farmer-leaders like Ron Heck, Wayne Fredericks, John Askew, Curt Sindergard, Dean Coleman and others, were real believers in the early days of Wolf’s tenure.
Their legacy, he says, is evident in the healthier fields and waterways throughout the state, as well as the evolution of ISA’s Research Center for Farming Innovation (RCFI). The work, like improving Iowa’s watersheds, is truly a cooperative endeavor.
“It’s not us dictating what to do in a watershed, it is us working in a watershed with famers to come up with a plan,” he says, noting that ISA has crafted nearly 30 small scale watershed plans over the years.
Reflection before retirement
Retiring this year, Wolf reflects on 25 years.
“I always think about what's my favorite thing to do and that’s to build out programs with a vision and get a lot of different people and partners involved, securing funding and start hiring people,” he says.
“I’m most proud of the staff, the partnerships and our track record, which speaks for itself. We’re doers and implementers. We do it on behalf of farmers and for farmers. They are directly impacted in every aspect of what we’ve done.”
Contact Jeff Hutton at jhutton@iasoybeans.com
Legacy cemented
On March 31, Wolf’s career with ISA will come full circle. He’s set to retire on the 25th anniversary of his first day with the association.
“For me the best part of the job has been the variety of work because every day was unique,” he says. “It’s been very rewarding to work with colleagues who are passionate about wanting to have an impact.”
That next chapter includes more travel with his wife and purchasing and managing a farm in Clarke County.
Growing iowa’s
When Brian Waddingham pulls his truck into a farm driveway, he has the interests of the farmer at heart. After all, farmers are the center of the work he does every day in support of Iowa agriculture. And it’s in the company name, too.
As the executive director of the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF), Waddingham and his team keep the pulse of the livestock industry in the state. They help farmers navigate the 250-plus pages of rules and regulations that relate to livestock agriculture as farmers seek to continue and grow their livestock operations.
CSIF was created by farmers in 2004 with the mission of working with farmers to advocate and help implement on-farm best-management practices that assist Iowa’s farm families in raising livestock responsibly and successfully. It’s a partnership involving the Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association,
As the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) continues its follow-up inspections of livestock farms as part of the work plan agreement signed with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2013, Waddingham reminds farmers to act on the recommendations made during the DNR’s initial visit.
“With an increased focus on water quality, the DNR is more active and attentive than ever,” he says.
If the recommended changes haven’t been made, the DNR is issuing fines to farmers not in compliance.
Farmers throughout Iowa are calling Waddingham and the team to ensure their farm would exceed the requirements prior to DNR inspections and even afterwards.
“We can help farmers determine how they can make the changes the DNR requires during their inspections,” Waddingham says. CSIF consultations and visits are confidential and free of charge to farmers.
As profitability in the cattle and cow-calf sectors continues, farmers are calling about constructing finishing barns and expanding existing facilities.
Brian Waddingham, Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) executive director
STORY BY BETHANY BARATTA PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOCLYN BUSHMAN
Livestock Industry
Supporting farmers is front and center
One opportunity is raising calves and cattle under roof. Waddingham says raising cattle under roof takes some of the weather risk out of cattle feeding, helps capture more of the value of the cattle manure, and provides better monitoring of feed intake.
Farmers continue to be proactive in their approach to adding livestock to their farms, Waddingham said. He’s hearing from farmers earlier in the building process, asking CSIF staff to evaluate a site before clearing dirt to add a barn or feedlot.
“Farmers want to make sure they’re doing things right,” Waddingham said. “They don’t want to be surprised by an inspection and find they’re doing something wrong. They want a second set of eyes to look at things and reassure them that everything they’re doing is good.”
Supporting future livestock projects
CSIF launched the Building Your Livestock Legacy program in January. Waddingham says it was created out of interest from both young farmers who want to raise livestock and seasoned farmers looking for a farm successor. Through programming offered through the Google Classroom online platform, the self-guided program allows aspiring livestock growers to work through courses and
quizzes before program completion. The courses will cover the programs available through the Iowa Finance Authority and the Iowa State Revolving Fund as well as contracts, lease agreements and tax implications of business formation decisions. At the end, a final project helps ambitious livestock producers to build their own resume, a financial statement and a business plan that can help them secure funding or the opportunity to farm.
“We’re at the tipping point where we know we have established farmers getting close to retirement age, and young people who don’t have connections to family farms who would really appreciate an opportunity to get into livestock farming,” Waddingham says. “We hope to tie these two together and continue to grow the Iowa livestock industry.”
He notes the connection between livestock and commodities in the state.
“If we can grow the livestock and poultry industries, we know we’ll grow demand for soybeans, demand for corn, and close up that circuit in Iowa,” he says.
For more information about the Building Your Livestock Legacy program or to contact the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers, go to supportfarmers.com or call 800-932-2436
Contact Bethany Baratta at bbaratta@iasoybeans.com
meet the director
Sam Showalter
District 2 Director
What crops and livestock do you grow and raise on the farm?
We grow soybeans and corn. I also contract finish hogs. What makes your farm unique?
I wouldn’t say this makes our operation unique, because there are many multigenerational family farms out there, but I farm with my dad, brother and cousin. Communication and “being on the same page” are very important to us. We feel that helps us operate with exceptional efficiency. We all have our own individual operations, but we work together and combine time and resources to get the job done effectively.
What does success mean to you on the farm?
To me, “success” is a very nuanced word. Obviously, success can be proven by operating a profitable business, but to me it also means helping to build something that can be passed on to the next generation and setting them up for success. I am the fifth generation on our family farm, and I would love to see that legacy continue in some capacity. I also see giving back to my community either through service or donations as a form of success.
How do you envision production agriculture 50 years from now?
Ag is ever changing. Sometimes for the better, sometimes not. Who am I to decipher which is which? The good thing in my eyes is that people will always need to eat, therefore there will always be opportunities for the American farmer. I see AI (artificial intelligence) and other developing technologies continue to play a larger role on the farm.
What do you see as the largest hurdle for homegrown soybeans in the future? Largest opportunity?
The largest sector of opportunities for soybeans at the current moment revolve around the biofuels space. Renewable diesel and SAF could really bring demand for biomass-based oils to an unprecedented level. Increased crush also means a surplus of meal, which could lead to a cheaper feed source for largest customers, the livestock industry. Consequently, the largest opportunities normally involve the largest hurdles. We need to be diligent in advocating for our products as the preferred domestic feedstocks for the biofuel world and make our voices heard as policy is developed in this space.
What’s something people usually don’t know about you?
I am a diehard Iowa State Cyclone fan. My wife, Laura, and I attend as many football games, men’s/women’s basketball games and wrestling meets as possible.
Iowa Farmers Assume Leadership Positions on the United Soybean Board
BY BROCK JOHNSTON
Two Iowa farmers have been selected for leadership positions on the United Soybean Board (USB). Suzanne Shirbroun of Farmersburg accepted her three-year appointment at a confirmation hearing in December.
Robb Ewoldt of Davenport, who has served as a USB director since 2022, was elevated to USB’s Executive Committee.
Farmer leadership directly represent all U.S. soybean growers with oversight of national soybean checkoff dollars that support research, market development and promotional efforts to boost farmer profitability and opportunities.
Shirbroun and Ewoldt are among the board of 77 farmer directors from across the country; four representing Iowa. Both farmers will serve alongside Brent Renner of Klemme and Tim Bardole of Rippey, as Iowa soybean farmers serving as USB directors.
“USB directors play an important role in managing soybean checkoff dollars,” says Shirbroun, an Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) past president. “I’ve seen firsthand how the checkoff has supported a vast amount of innovative research and other efforts that may not be possible otherwise. Balancing checkoff investments toward soybean research, new market opportunities and soy-based products will all be priorities during my term.”
According to the latest returnon-investment study, which is required by USDA, U.S. soybean farmers received $12.30 in added value for every dollar invested in the soy checkoff.
“Serving on the ISA board helped me recognize how important representation is, especially in the decision-making process of allocating these funds, says Ewoldt, an ISA past president. “I look forward to working with fellow farmers in this new role.”
USB oversees checkofffunded efforts spanning three priority areas, in addition to communication and education and export promotion:
• Infrastructure and Connectivity: Fund research for critical U.S. infrastructure improvements to maintain and strengthen the soy supply chain via direct road, rail and river markets. Address infrastructure and logistical constraints limiting market entry and growth of existing and new soybased technologies.
• Health and Nutrition: Collaborate with research scientists, agronomists and extension to deliver real-time updates from fields across soy-growing regions to better inform farmers about emerging pests and diseases, providing recommendations for management and control. In animal diets, continue nutritional research and
increase soybean meal inclusion rates across in animal feeds.
• Innovation and Technology: Develop new biochemicals and biologicals for pest management, including research on herbicides, fungicides and nematicides. Develop and accelerate new soybean varieties using genomics and field trials, while also driving new uses for soy in place of traditional petroleum and petrochemicals.
Contact Brock Johnston at bjohnston@iasoybeans.com
Suzanne Shirbroun, farmer from Farmersburg
Robb Ewoldt, farmer from Davenport
Investments Drive Value Back to Farmers
Study confirms soy checkoff’s return on investment across market development, research and more
COURTESY OF THE UNITED SOYBEAN BOARD
In a challenging economic landscape of low commodity prices and tight margins, the United Soybean Board (USB) continues to deliver economic returns to U.S. soybean farmers through strategic investments. This remains critical to ensure farmers receive measurable value on-farm and through expanded market opportunities. A recent study confirms the soy checkoff’s positive return of at least 4.5-to-1 on investment across the categories of export market development, domestic demand-enhancing research, on-farm production research and soybean promotion.
Across all categories of export market development, domestic demand-enhancing research, on-farm production research and soybean promotion, soy checkoff investments had a positive return of at least 4.5-to-1 (i.e. benefit-cost ratio (BCR)). Export market development had a BCR of 14.26-to-1. In other words, an extra dollar invested in export market development returned $14.26 in net revenue to soybean farmers. Domestic demandenhancing research had a BCR of 42.88-to-1 or $42.88 returned. On-farm production research had a BCR of 5.78-to-1 or $5.78 returned. Soybean promotion had a BCR of 4.5-to-1 or $4.50 returned. Overall, the combined BCR for all USB/QSSB activities was 12.30-to-1, i.e., an extra dollar invested in all activities returned $12.30 in net revenue to the soybean industry.
Beyond growing export markets for food and feed, finding new industrial uses domestically, delivering value for animal agriculture, or disseminating production research to grow a more resilient soybean, the real takeaway from this study is economic value. The soy checkoff creates more jobs, supports higher labor income, increases tax revenue, and has a tremendous impact on U.S. gross domestic product (GDP).
“We focus on maximizing the impact of every dollar invested by creating new revenue streams for farmers, building premium markets, and establishing partnerships here and abroad where farmers can see tangible returns,” said Philip Good, Mississippi farmer and United Soybean Board’s Chair of the Audit and Evaluation Committee. “The soy checkoff is especially important during fluctuating commodity prices to protect our markets
that still bring value back to the farm. Like most farmers, we’re feeling the pinch at home. But I’m confident that USB’s priority of strengthening markets and growing demand will help farmers navigate near-term financial challenges. These longterm investments will provide a more sustainable future for their operations.”
The study by Dr. Harry M. Kaiser of Cornell University highlights USB and the QSSB’s return on investment in improving the demand for U.S. soybeans and increasing the efficiency of soybean production. It also provides perspective on the soy checkoff’s significant impact on U.S. employment and income. Cumulatively, soy checkoff-funded initiatives at the national and state level supported nearly 31,000 jobs, added $2.6 billion in labor income, contributed $5.9 billion in total value, and increased the U.S. GDP by $9.8 billion.
“USB’s programs add distinct value to the economy, from supporting job growth to providing tax revenue gains,” said Dr. Kaiser. “When it comes to ROI, I’m most encouraged by the staggering growth in domestic demand research as soybeans seem to have no limits when it comes to versatility and performance in new formulations across industrial uses as well as delivering value for animal agriculture. Exports play a crucial role for U.S. soybeans, with over half of the crop reaching 80+ global markets, underscoring their importance to the industry’s growth and sustainability.”
These findings emphasize the soy checkoff’s continued success in driving economic benefits and ROI for farmers. Every dollar invested returned $12.30 in net revenue to the soybean industry. In addition to fostering new revenue streams on-farm, USB’s efforts in research and promotion create positive spillover effects. Whether it’s increased demand for soybean products, supporting more jobs in agriculture or opening up new export markets to support a prolific harvest, USB and QSSB investments of the half-million U.S. soybean farmers create a stronger foundation for your farm’s future.
Go to unitedsoybean.org to access the full report.
