Missouri Soybean Association P.O. Box 104778 NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID Jefferson City, MO 65110-4778 FULTON, MO PERMIT NO. 38
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6 1 20 AUGUST MISSOURI INSIDE THIS ISSUE OF
I WILL take actIon agaInst herbIcIde-resIstant Weeds.
I will know my weeds. When they grow. When they pollinate. And I will stop them before they go to seed. I will take action in the field and do whatever it takes to give my crops the upper hand against weeds. I will take action with careful herbicide management and use multiple herbicide sites of action, because every action counts. I will take action because it’s my bottom line. It’s not about this year or the next. It’s about the long term. I will take action. This time. For all time.
Now is the time to take action against herbicide-resistant weeds. Visit www.TakeActionOnWeeds.com to learn2 how Missouri you can Soybeanprevent herbicide-resistant Farmer | AUGUST weeds 2016 from spreading.
Brought to you by the soy checkoff. INSIDE THIS ISSUE OF SoybeanMISSOURI Farmer Staff Contacts AUGUST 2016 | VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 4 Executive Director / CEO Gary Wheeler [email protected]
Director of Communications & Public Relations Christine Tew [email protected] 14 Results from Missouri’s Chief Financial Officer soybean cyst nematode study Kim Hill are in - and the news is that [email protected] if you’re not testing your soil, you should be. Director of Policy Dan Engemann [email protected] 16 Irrigating soybeans hasn’t been a good option for most Director of Business Development Missouri farmers. Kelly & New Markets Tony Stafford Nelson is looking at ways to [email protected] change that. Director of Research 18 Farmers in southeast Greg Luce Missouri took matters [email protected] into their own hands when Director of Compliance & premiums for their specialty Research Administration soybeans went away. See Ebby Neuner what they’ve built and meet [email protected] the team.
Office Manager Mary Kever [email protected] Cover Shot Accounting Manager I WILL Declining genetic diversity Jeff Bruemmer [email protected] in the soybean seed industry take actIon agaInst has been on Matt McCrate’s Administrative Manager mind. Ancient cousins to the Diana Coonce [email protected] soybeans we know, Glycine herbIcIde-resIstant Weeds. soja, may hold the answer. Soybean breeders Andrew Scaboo and Grover Shannon I will know my weeds. When they grow. When they pollinate. And I will stop them before they go to seed. are working on it. Missouri Soybean Association I will take action in the field and do whatever it takes to give my crops the upper hand against weeds. P.O. Box 104778 Jefferson City, MO 65110-4778 I will take action with careful herbicide management and use multiple herbicide sites of action, Phone: (573) 635-3819 because every action counts. http://www.mosoy.org I will take action because it’s my bottom line. It’s not about this year or the next. Missouri Soybean Farmer is published six times annually by the Missouri Soybean Association and is an excellent opportunity to reach row crop farmers. Contact It’s about the long term. [email protected] for advertising information and with story ideas. PRINTED WITH I will take action. This time. For all time. Copyright Missouri Soybean Association, 2016. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of any content without the express written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Now is the time to take action against herbicide-resistant weeds. Visit www.TakeActionOnWeeds.com to learn how you can prevent herbicide-resistant weeds from spreading. Missouri Soybean Farmer | AUGUST 2016 3
Brought to you by the soy checkoff. From The Field Notes from Missouri Soybeans’ leadership team
MSA Board Members: Neal Bredehoeft, Alma he “R-word” has come up a lot recently. Normally, Kelly Forck, Jefferson City this time of year that “R-word” would be rain. What Renee Fordyce, Bethany T I’ve been hearing is a bit more of a long-game: Recession. From “Brexit” to low commodity prices, it John Hunter, Essex seems like we’re all a little bit on edge about how we’re C. Brooks Hurst, Tarkio going to keep growing (rain or no rain). John Kleiboeker, Stotts City Andrew Lance, Barnard Most of us who have been around a couple years have Matt McCrate, Cape Girardeau seen that the top way for the ag community to help Tom Raffety, Wyatt ourselves is to roll up our sleeves - whether it’s by investing in ourselves or putting good people to work. E.L. Reed, Chillicothe Peter Rost Jr., New Madrid We know it’s about the long-term vision, not a quick Ronnie Russell, Richmond fix. Missouri Farmers Care shows they get that too with Greg Sharpe, Ewing their Agri-Ready County program - they’re giving our communities a chance to Warren Stemme, Chesterfield show they understand the long view of keeping agriculture Missouri’s number one Doug Thomas, Brashear industry. An Agri-Ready designation means your county commission welcomes Matt Wright, Emden agribusiness and knows that it’s not just the farmers who benefit – it’s the people with those new jobs, it’s the local businesses and it’s the schools. MSMC Board Members: Agriculture has always been good at finding ways to keep growing. I’m Agri-Ready Robert Alpers, Prairie Home and looking forward to being part of it. Cecil DeMott, Rock Port Kyle Durham, Norborne Matt McCrate - Missouri Soybean Association President Harold Gloe, Hermann Tim Gottman, Monroe City Patrick Hobbs, Dudley his is my last column as chairman of the Merchandising Council, and I John Kelley, Faucett must say my feelings are a little mixed when it comes to passing the torch. Bob Littleton, Dalton TIt’s been an honor to lead this team and to be trusted with your soybean checkoff dollars. It’s also given me a lot of time to reflect on that advice we’ve David Lueck, Alma nearly all heard to “leave it better than you found it.” Baughn Merideth, Caruthersville
Lewis Rone, Portageville On the farm, those seven words apply to everything from topping off the fuel tank Will Spargo, Naylor on the truck when you’re near the pump to keeping your farm debt in check so the Jim Underhill, Palmyra next generation has the benefit of a firm foundation.
USB Board Members: At the Merchandising Council, it applies to making sure Richard Fordyce, Bethany the house is in order – that the team is strong and things that need to be getting done are getting done. It also Todd Gibson, Norborne means dealing with those unpleasant situations from time Lewis Rone, Portageville to time, including legal issues (see page 21 for details on that). It can also mean investing in those conservation ASA Board Members: and sustainability practices, making sure soil and water C. Brooks Hurst, Tarkio resources are protected for the long haul, like we’ve done E.L. Reed, Chillicothe with the Strip Trial program and cover crops.
I’m proud of the work we’ve done, and am confident that the reins are in good hands. Again, thank you for the Missouri opportunity to serve. s David Lueck - Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council Chairman
4 Missouri Soybean Farmer | AUGUST 2016 Letter from the Executive Director
’ve often used this space to share the challenges and Iopportunities your state soybean organizations have in front of them. Over the past few years, those have ranged from connecting with you, our growers, to prioritizing checkoff investments and research to most benefit your bottom line, and addressing burdensome policies and regulations affecting your freedom to operate.
Among those, we’ve had some Missouri Department of Agriculture Director and wins, and we have some work yet to do. One soybean farmer Richard Fordyce, Missouri Soybeans’ thing we haven’t spent much time with is where Gary Wheeler, Ernie Verslues, president and CEO for Missouri falls in the global market for soybeans, MFA, Inc., and Dan Featherson, general manager for soybean oil and other links in the soybean value SEMO Milling while in Cuba. chain.
We know through our work with the U.S. Soybean Governor Jay Nixon, and was focused on potential Export Council (USSEC) and the World Initiative for developing Cuba as an export market. for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) that there’s great opportunity for growing our slice of the Spending nearly a week in a country not touched international market for soybeans. We know by American exports for the last half-century that as it stands now, roughly every other row was an eye opening experience. Seeing the of Missouri soybeans is headed for the export pristine classic cars was certainly a treat, but market, and with the recent expansion of the the differences in crop genetics, processing and Panama Canal, greater shipping opportunities transportation were most striking. from the Port of New Orleans can help us push that percentage even higher. Last year, two Missouri soybean farmers, David Lueck and Tom Raffety, made a similar trip with In looking at new markets, our farmer leaders, a Missouri delegation focused on agricultural staff and partners have spent a great deal of time opportunities in Cuba. in Africa and southeastern Asia. However, we’ve recently had the chance to explore an option Our 2016 group included First Lady Georganne closer to home – Cuba. Nixon, Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Richard Fordyce and Missouri I had the opportunity to travel to Cuba this Department of Economic Development Director summer for a first-hand look at how Missouri Mike Downing. Other members of the trade agriculture stands within the slowly opening delegation include Dr. Carlos Vargas, President of door to trade and partnership. The trip came in Southeast Missouri State University; Silvia Hollis, conjunction with a trade mission led by Missouri of Mid-Continent Aircraft, Hayti; Thorstein Holt, of
Missouri Soybean Farmer | AUGUST 2016 5 Holtec Gas Systems, Chesterfield; Brady Moses, of SatCommX, Lampe; Jeffrey Fort, of MOM Brands Sales, St. Louis; and several representatives of Martin Rice, of Bernie.
The Governor’s mission was seen as a fact finding mission with bilateral talks on how we, Missouri and Cuba, could do business together at some point in the future when the embargo is fully lifted. Looking ahead, the opportunity to develop an export market for Missouri soy in Cuba certainly exists, but it won’t be without its challenges. The embargo is not the only hurdle to success in this arena.
Among the challenges are competition Infrastructure development is from other players in the global soybean a significant priority in Cuba market and available credit. at this time. Missouri’s delega- tion saw a number of projects, On exporting US commodities and including at the deepwater agricultural products to Cuba, there port at Mariel, Cuba. That port are currently medical supplies and is capable of receiving large cargo ships, like those often small amounts of ag commodities used to transport agricultural being shipped from the US, including a commodities. donated container of southeast Missouri rice from the Martin family delivered during our stay in Cuba. However, the majority of their soybeans come from Brazil. Cuba is currently importing roughly 200,000 tons of soybeans per year, with potential to increase Even after the embargo is lifted, access understanding of the value Missouri’s ag to 500,000 tons within the forseeable to credit poses a significant challenge to exports can bring the island. future. doing business in Cuba. Currently, Cuba requests from their suppliers a 364 day As a Missouri contingent, I am cautiously The US, and specifically Missouri, credit at 5 percent - and they receive it. optimistic for the Cuban market. We will aren’t alone in seeing that 300,000 That combination of timeline and rate proceed as we have been, working to ton opportunity. Our South American gives our competitors, including Brazil, a develop those relationships so when the competitors have been investing in pretty significant leg up on US markets. embargo is lifted we will be ready to act. transportation and soybean genetics too. Capitalizing on that opportunity Overcoming such hurdles will Reflecting back on the experience, it’s will require two things: credit and require cultivation of strong business clear that while we’ve come a long way relationships. relationships, building trust and an in understanding the challenges and opportunities partnership with Cuba presents, we still have a long way to go in realizing this potential market for US soybeans and soy products.
Gary Wheeler Executive Director / CEO Missouri Soybean Association Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council Mid-America Research Development Foundation
6 Missouri Soybean Farmer | AUGUST 2016 The Storytellers We Trust As the Missouri Soybean Association celebrates the 50th anniversary of its founding, Missouri Soybean Farmer is catching up with the leaders who helped shape the organization’s history for their insights and perspectives on the milestone.
rom the coffee shops and By Samantha Gibson co-op counters to the air Fwaves, the achievements Photography courtesy of and challenges of Missouri’s archives from the Missouri top crop are told by the voices Soybean Association and of farm radio. It’s never been Merchandising Council and a one-man (or woman) job. KRES radio Over the past 50 years, many outstanding men and women have helped share the work of the Missouri Soybean Association, especially through farm radio. Broadcaster’s voices grow to be as recognizable as their names, Jim Coyle in action, as captured in the March 2000 issue of Missouri Soybean Farmer and the familiar rhythm of market magazine. In that issue, he credited central reports and weather forecasts Missouri farmers with being his greatest become part of the daily routine teachers. in the truck, tractor, and farm shop. Broadcasters’ ag news and policy updates have long become fodder for Coyle came to the agricultural industry farmhouse dinner table conversation with a fresh perspective in a time where too. producers generally kept to themselves – and he was learning from his listeners Farm broadcasters become some of our as much as he was sharing their stories. best historians as well, bringing context Growing up Coyle had no background in to the day to day trends, connecting the agriculture. He was raised in St. Louis dots between stories and generations, - about as far away from the farm as he and serving as pillars of the agriculture could be, he said. community. They can also be counted on to know how to tell a good story. “Before I became farm director for KRES Radio, I didn’t even know commodity Jim Coyle is one of those storytellers. groups like Missouri Soybean existed,” said Coyle. Coyle, who spent much of his career with KRES radio in Moberly, has one That didn’t stop him from diving in. To of those voices listeners trust for their build a relationship with the Missouri ag news. On the air, Coyle shared the Soybean Association and its members, stories of Missouri agriculture for more Coyle attended local and statewide than 15 years before retiring – covering meetings and prioritized visiting with the highs and lows of farming. He still the staff, board of directors and soybean remembers the times of foreclosure in producers. He became a regular at the the mid-eighties, and seven-dollar-per- annual meeting. bushel beans, as well as the emergence of no-till farming and rapid increases in It didn’t take long for Coyle to broaden technology on the farm. his horizons to the national level.
Missouri Soybean Farmer | AUGUST 2016 7 In addition to sharing his voice with listeners over the airwaves, Steever’s reports can be found online for on- demand listening, and embedded in video. Getting out to the field and to community events remains one of his favorite parts of the role, he says.
“I enjoy being on farms when I am reporting, so that I can see what the farmers are doing on their operations,” Steever says. “Being on the farms helps me better tell the story.”
Jim Coyle (far right) continues to lend his voice to local sporting events Steever enjoys meeting with farmers on occassion, although he’s been retired from the radio business for one-on-one, and in their own several years. He was the farm broadcaster and voice for ag news at environment, whether that’s in a policy KRES radio for more than 15 years. meeting at an event like Commodity Classic or in the cab of the tractor or combine. It’s that extra investment He fondly recalls attending the first working in the shop, or doing office of time that helps farm broadcasters Commodity Classic in 1996, not only work at home.” connect with agriculture, find working with the Missouri delegation, those special stories and bring both but also directly with American Listeners want information in information and entertainment to their Soybean Association (ASA). Just as he’d real time and like having multiple reports. It’s that little bit extra that become a fixture at Missouri’s annual platforms through which they can builds trust too. meeting, he became part of Commodity receive information, says Brand. Farm Classic, attending each year and even broadcasters are now using social Steever joined Brownfield in 2003 after receiving national recognition from media, newsletters, and blogs to share working for the American Farm Bureau ASA and Missouri Soybean with the agriculture’s story and strengthen Federation. The Missouri Soybean Communicator of the Year award for his relationships with listeners beyond their Association was one of his starting outstanding work. time on the air. places as he got into the new role in Jefferson City. “Still today I shrug my shoulders at the At Brownfield Ag News, which awards I received,” said Coyle. “The week I arrived at Brownfield, “It wasn’t what I did, it was I did a story with Missouri what the farmers did.” We are now writing for both the Soybean Association,” said Steever. eyes and the ears. Our main job is to “It was the first story I did outside What the farmers – and of the office, and I remember the the markets, weather and give people information in a way most story covered the introduction of regulators – did has long been convenient to them. soy-based beer.” a driving force behind farm -Tom Steever radio. The rhythm of markets, The soy-based beer isn’t much weather and news and those of a topic for Missouri Soybean farm broadcasters’ familiar these days, but Tom Steever and voices span generations as listeners broadcasts ag news on more than 50 his distinctive voice continue to be a key continue to turn to radio for up-to-the- radio stations across Missouri, those partner in sharing the stories of soybean minute information. technological advancements add to the production and processing in Missouri ways farm broadcasters tell the stories of – covering the Missouri Soybean “There is a direct correlation between agriculture. Merchandising Council’s checkoff- farming and broadcasting,” says Tom funded research and educational Brand, executive director at National “We are now writing for both the eyes efforts, as well as the Missouri Soybean Association of Farm Broadcasting. and the ears,” explained Tom Steever, Association’s key policy initiatives. “We connect with farmers beyond the anchor and reporter at Brownfield. “Our kitchen table; we reach them while main job is to give people information in Today, Steever produces the weekly they are planting beans, hauling grain, a way most convenient to them.” Spotlight on Soybeans program
8 Missouri Soybean Farmer | AUGUST 2016 Biodiesel is a renewable, clean-burning fuel made from Missouri’s top agricultural commodity – soybeans.
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3337 Emerald Lane (573) 635-3819 Jeerson City, MO 65109 brought to you by Missouri soybean farmers and their checko
highlighting Missouri’s soybean “The one thing that really attracted to after several attempts,” shared Brand. “I checkoff-funded projects, on the me to farm broadcasting was the fact remember calling Missouri Soybean Learfield network of radio stations and that I could be on the radio sharing Association and I always got a response.” websites. Steever and Brownfield Ag the message to those who I knew were News are also using social media, videos, making a difference in agriculture,” said That spirit of partnership continued well Google hangouts, and other trending Brand. “My role is to share information after Brand’s voice became recognizable platforms to share stories ranging from that could help farmers with their across the airwaves. Grower interviews individuals’ experiences with soy-based operation.” with soybean producers like Richard biodiesel to the latest soybean varieties Fordyce, Terry Ecker, and Neal and research, as well as information on Brand started his relationship with Bredehoeft, and so many others, were a potential market premiums. Missouri Soybean very early in his highlight for Brand. career, serving as a farm broadcaster Across all those platforms, Steever’s at KMA in Shenandoah, Iowa. Brand “I had a commonality with these distinctive voice – confident and explained that his relationship with farmers,” said Brand. “I would connect reassuring – is a constant, just as it has Missouri Soybean was strong from the with them over the phone and then see been for so many years on the radio dial. beginning that that he appreciated the them again face-to-face at the Missouri farmers’ willingness to work with him. State Fair, Commodity Classic, or an Likewise, Tom Brand uses his voice to annual Farm Bureau meeting.” help others make an impact across the “As a young journalist it is a little agricultural community. discouraging when you try to schedule Today, as the executive director for interviews and no one calls you back the National Association of Farm Broadcasting, he works on behalf of farm broadcasters nationwide on professional development, research and technology.
“The one thing that consistently stays the same is the relationship farm broadcasters have with their listeners,” said Brand. “It’s a voice they trust.”
Missouri Soybean Farmer | AUGUST 2016 9 Back to the Wild Missouri researchers study soybean ancestors seeking opprotunities to increase genetic diversity.
ake a casual glance, and the plants The genetic secrets these distant Asian growing in Andrew Scaboo’s relatives hold could help increase Tresearch plots look like ordinary yield, improve soybean composition soybeans. And they should because they and provide new protections from are soybeans — but with an important drought, disease and pests for future By Jason Jenkins genetic twist. domesticated soybean varieties, or Glycine max. “By pedigree, they are all 50 percent wild,” says the University of Missouri Germplasm diversity — or the relative assistant research professor who leads lack thereof — in today’s soybean is the Northern Missouri Soybean Breeding the result of more than 70 years of program. “By genetic makeup, they are conventional plant breeding that began about 25 to 40 percent wild soybeans. with just a handful of introductions from You’re standing in what may be the China. An analysis of 258 public cultivars most genetically diverse soybean field released between 1947 and 1988 showed anywhere.” that 26 ancestors accounted for nearly 90 percent of the parentage, and just five With more than 1,000 unique lines ancestors accounted for more than 55 represented, this field at the Missouri percent. Soybean Association’s Bay Farm Research Facility represents the largest “Our breeding programs have been breeding effort in the world focused very successful, and our soybean yield on wild soybeans, or Glycine soja. The potential today is much higher than research is part of a multi-institutional it was in the past, but we may have project aimed at broadening the genetic inadvertently lost a few genes along the base of North American soybean way that may be important,” says Bill cultivars using basic science and applied Wiebold, MU state soybean specialist. breeding research. “So, reaching back and looking at wild
10 Missouri Soybean Farmer | AUGUST 2016 from individual plants because of their In wild soybeans, characteristics such agronomic superiority to others. Doing as photosynthetic rate, nitrogen use this for hundreds of years led to the efficiency or water use efficiency — all soybean we know today, but it also led of which affect yield — would have to a loss of genetic diversity that’s only developed naturally over time. But when accelerated during the past 70 years of domestication occurred, the best genes plant breeding. for those characteristics may or may not have been captured. “By domesticating the soybean, we funneled it down to just a few useful “There’s probably better genes for genes that produced, and they were those things, but we’ve lost them,” derived from just a few wild soybeans,” Scaboo says. “That one best gene for says Scaboo, who came to Missouri photosynthetic rate, for example, could in 2012. “What useful ones might still be somewhere else and not in our lie within wild soybeans? There’s cultivated beans.” potentially novel genes, or alleles, that were lost that could be beneficial. Historically, making genetic gains that Something growing in Taiwan may improve yield have been accomplished harbor genes that we don’t have here in through breeding programs that cross North America.” the best of the best varieties to each other with the goal of producing an Seeking alleles that appeal even better one with each breeding According to Scaboo, there are more cycle. Scaboo’s work is taking that same soybean and other ancestors is a way differences in the genome of wild concept but applying it to pre-breeding to make sure we don’t lose something soybeans than in its domesticated — the steps taken between a wild that may be very valuable to our future relatives. His search for those unique soybean and a commercial cultivar. commercial varieties.” genes began with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Soybean Germplasm That first cross between wild and Raising a wild child Collection housed at the University of domestic results in progeny far removed Crossing Glycine soja and Glycine max Illinois in Champaign. The collection from anything Missouri soybean to create new lines requires Scaboo to contains more than 22,000 lines producers would want to grow in grow wild soybeans at Bay Farm, which collected from around the globe, their fields. So, the researchers make he’s done for the past three years. It’s including about 1,300 wild ones. additional crosses, and with each, they tough to see any family resemblance make gains. when comparing these beans to their “From those, we selected a core cultivated cousins. collection of roughly 80 lines based on “We’re getting rid of the genes from the genetic diversity,” Scaboo explains. “In wild soybean we don’t want — all the Wild soybeans don’t grow upright. these 80, we capture 90 percent of all the bad genes — and trying to capture all Instead, they spread out like a vine, low genes in wild soybeans.” the good stuff that might be different,” to the ground, creating a thick mat of Scaboo says. “You’ve got to get rid of as stems and foliage even when planted in Through this project, his primary much of the bad as you can in that first 60-inch rows. The seed they produce is goal is to discover and characterize cross, then cross that with your best line tiny and black — not plump and yellow differences that could genetically boost and hope you get something better.” — something more akin to poppy seed yield, something only conventional plant than soy. The seed has a hard coat that breeding can do. The researcher likened the process to a must be scarified in order to germinate, professional baseball prospect working and the pods shatter as the plants “Yield is a attempt to re-seed themselves. quantitative trait, controlled partly “They look nothing like soybeans,” by genetics and Scaboo says. “They have a lot of bad partly by the traits. There’s absolutely no agronomic environment,” value to growing it, but from a genetic he says. “There’s standpoint, there’s twice as much hundreds of genes diversity in wild soybean as in cultivated involved, and we soybean.” don’t know all of them. Heck, we The process of domestication began don’t know five of when primitive farmers saved seeds them.” Andrew Scaboo in one of his soybean plots
Missouri Soybean Farmer | AUGUST 2016 11 Fatty acids in soybean oil have received much attention in recent years as health concerns have arisen over trans fats. These are created when soybean and other vegetable oils are hydrogenated in order to make them shelf stable. The trans fat issue has weakened demand for soybean oil. Increasing soy’s oleic acid content, while decreasing linoleic acid, eliminates the need for hydrogenation, creating an oil that more closely resembles olive oil, which is considered healthy.
MU soybean breeder Grover Shannon and USDA research Kristen Bilyeu discovered two genes that triple the amount of oleic acid, and they currently are developing a conventional high- oleic soybean variety that offers great opportunity for producers. Scaboo is searching out other genes in wild soybeans that might further improve the oil composition.
Of course, soybeans with great yield potential and favorable protein and oil content still fail in the field if they fall victim to pests and disease. Soybean cyst nematode, sudden death syndrome, fusarium and frog-eye leaf spot are all being considered as Scaboo’s team explores the wild soybean germplasm.
All of this is music to Matt McCrate’s Glycine soja ears. The Cape Girardeau-based his way to the big leagues. While the acids (oils) and carbohydrates (sugars). farmer and seed dealer has watched prospect may show a lot of raw natural Changing the makeup of the bean could as consolidation among seed talent, he must spend some time in make the crop more valuable. manufacturers has continued to narrow the minors, improving his stats and the germplasm in today’s commercial eliminating his flaws, before he gets a “We’ve found some interesting amino varieties, especially since the advent chance to shine in the majors. Similarly, acid and carbohydrate profiles in wild of GMO technologies. As he flips a new soybean line derived from a wild soybeans that are much different than through the pages of Missouri soybean cross may have several hundred genes domesticated varieties,” Scaboo says. performance test results, he notes that that could be beneficial, but it needs to “We’re looking to increase protein as a the list of varieties is twice as long as have yield within a few bushels of the whole, increase oil as a whole and alter it was 20 years ago, but those varieties best lines before it’s given a shot. those profiles for nutritional benefit.” come from fewer and fewer original sources. “Then you make that cross, and you Soybeans are relatively low in sulfur- could hit a homerun,” Scaboo says. containing amino acids such as cysteine “All the Roundup beans, the LibertyLink and methionine, and increasing these beans, they all came through the same Looking beyond yield would make soybean meal more funnel,” says McCrate, the current While their main focus is discovering beneficial to non-ruminants like pigs Missouri Soybean Association president. new genes to improve yield, Scaboo and and chickens. Similarly, increasing the “That’s why the checkoff funds are so his research team also are searching for level of sucrose within the carbohydrate important. They continue to support the genes that alter the physical composition profile would provide more development of new varieties that will of the soybean seed, specifically the metabolizable energy for livestock. increase our diversity and ensure we profiles of amino acids (proteins), fatty have solutions for our farmers.”
12 Missouri Soybean Farmer | AUGUST 2016 America never stops. Thanks to the financial support of FCS Financial and Farm Credit, neither do the farmers and ranchers who call her home. For dawn till dusk a century, we’ve helped rural Americans show the world what hard work can achieve. But the job is till always. farm from over. And as rural America grows further, we’ll be there. FCSFinancial100.com
Missouri Soybean Farmer | AUGUST 2016 13 SCN Survey Results Knowing what is in your fields is key to a successful harvest. Soybean cyst nematode is a known yield-robber that can greatly affect a soybean crop, and is easy to miss without a soil test. The Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council is investing checkoff dollars into helping producers better understand this risk to their bottom line.
ne of the most economically of samples had >500 eggs/250 cm3. devastating pathogens Despite the high number of samples Ofacing soybean producers is testing positive for SCN, only 34 By Amanda Howland, Heterodera glycines, or the soybean cyst percent of farmers reported that they Manjula Nathan and nematode (SCN), costing US soybean were aware of a SCN problem, and 54 Melissa G. Mitchum producers an estimated $1.2 billion percent acknowledged that they had annually. Determining the presence never sampled their fields, a slight Photo courtesy of the University of Missouri and virulence phenotypes of SCN is improvement compared to 64 percent College of Agriculture, Food essential for devising management in 2005. and Natural Resources strategies implementing the use of resistant cultivars. A statewide survey Survey results indicated that Missouri was conducted to determine the farmers are planting SCN-resistant distribution and virulence phenotypes cultivars and rotating to non-host crops, of SCN in Missouri and to assess grower two of the recommended strategies for awareness during 2015. One hundred managing this pest. Sixty-eight percent soil samples from fields representing of Missouri farmers reported planting eight geographic regions and 62 soybean SCN-resistant soybeans, although this producing counties were collected and number is likely higher because some processed for SCN egg counts. In all, 92 farmers were unsure whether or not percent of the samples tested positive they were planting resistant soybeans. for SCN with 77 percent of these at Of these farmers, 94 percent have been >500 eggs/250 cm3 soil. The frequency planting resistant soybeans for more of samples with >500 eggs/250 cm3 soil than 5 years. In addition, 85 percent was higher than reported in a 2005 of Missouri farmers rotate fields with survey, where 74 percent of samples non-host crops including corn, wheat, tested positive for SCN and 62 percent rice, milo, and sorghum. However, the
14 Missouri Soybean Farmer | AUGUST 2016 KNOWledge is YOUR Power against SCN
KNOW your levels. Scout and sample your fields. Get an SCN egg count.
KNOW your type. If your SCN egg counts are getting high, get a SCN (HG) type test.
KNOW your source. Ask your seed dealer what source of re- sistance was used in your SCN resistant soybeans.
One hundred soil samples were taken from 62 KNOW your options. soybean producing counties (green dots). Multiple Discuss your test results with your seed samples from a single county were taken from dealer or extension agent and assess your different farmer fields. SCN (HG) type tests were options for rotation and seed treatments. conducted on 20 samples (brown dots).
high percentage of samples testing more than 90 percent of SCN-resistant and how SCN adapts to it (68%), a positive for SCN above the threshold of cultivars, up from 85 percent in limited understanding of the SCN (HG) 500 eggs/250 cm3 soil despite the use of 2005. Moreover, 58 percent of these type test (66%), the lack of options for these strategies is cause for concern. The populations had a female index (FI) management (60%), and difficulty in root of the problem lies in the fact that greater than 50 percent on PI 88788. In identifying the source of resistance in more than 95 percent of commercial addition, 60 percent of populations had their soybeans (58%). soybean cultivars derive their resistance a FI greater than 10 percent on Peking, from a single source, plant introduction a source of resistance that is typically Our survey highlights the importance PI 88788. Repeated planting of resistant rotated or stacked with PI 88788, but few of improving farmer awareness and the soybeans with the same source of could reproduce on PI 90763 above 10 need to increase the genetic diversity resistance has selected for resistant percent and none on PI 437654. of SCN resistance in commercially SCN that are able to grow on these available SCN resistant soybean cultivars cultivars reducing their effectiveness as The greatest genetic variability in SCN to minimize yield loss due to SCN into a management tool. populations was found in the southeast the future. region of Missouri consistent with the The shift towards SCN populations that diversity of resistant sources (Peking, The time is now for farmers to rethink can grow on soybean cultivars with PI PI 88788, and PI 437654) available to SCN management and equip themselves 88788 resistance was noted in the last farmers in this part of the state. Despite with the knowledge to fight against survey conducted in Missouri in 2005. more than 68 percent of farmers resistant nematodes. Managing SCN can Ten years later, survey data indicates reporting that they plant SCN resistant be challenging, so let’s work together to that the situation has continued to cultivars, only 31 percent were aware make some change. worsen for PI 88788 and a second source of the source of resistance in their of resistance (Peking) is also losing its soybeans and how SCN adapts to it, For more information on SCN and how effectiveness. Further characterization and only 9 percent of farmers have to test your fields, visit the University of of the SCN populations from 20 soil had an SCN (HG) type test. Consistent Missouri Plant Nematology Lab website samples with higher egg counts showed with this, the four biggest frustrations at http://soilplantlab.missouri.edu/ that 100 percent had adapted to PI reported by Missouri farmers were a nematode/. 88788, the source of resistance found in limited understanding of resistance
Special thanks to the following MU Extension regional agronomy and natural resources specialists and other cooperators for their assistance in getting soil samples from farmer fields for this study: Sam Atwell, Bruce Burdick, Richard Deloughery, Wayne Flanery, Max Glover, Matt Herring, Todd Lorenz, William McClain, Pat Miller, Wyatt Miller, Kurt Nagel, Anthony Ohmes, David Reinbott, Jill Scheidt, Brian Selle, and Valerie Tate.
Missouri Soybean Farmer | AUGUST 2016 15 Turning on the Tap The Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council is investing checkoff dollars into options for making irrigation an efficient option for soybean farmers across the state.
ith a rhythmic pulse, the end Kelly Nelson also is thinking about the By Jason Jenkins gun sprinkler on Chris Kohl’s cost and effort involved with irrigating Wcenter-pivot irrigation system soybeans. Three counties to the north, Photos by Jason Jenkins sends a gentle arc of water cascading he was watering soybeans at the same and the University of down upon a field of soybeans west of time as Kohl — but not with a center- Missouri College of Vandalia. As the machine slowly crawls pivot system. The research agronomist Agriculture, Food and along its route, the constant hum of at the University of Missouri’s Greenley Natural Resources electric motors is the only other sound Memorial Research Center in Knox in the field. County is studying a subsurface drip irrigation system that could allow When the sun began its climb into soybean producers to boost yields in the sky above Audrain County on that fields where other irrigation options early summer day, there was a sense of aren’t practical and water resources relief. Gone was the record-setting heat are limited. The research is funded by from earlier in the week, but its effects the Missouri Soybean Merchandising remained. The young soybean plants Council and Missouri’s portion of the hadn’t had a good drink since they soybean checkoff. emerged, and with no real rain chance in the extended forecast, Kohl really “Timely application of supplemental didn’t feel like he had a choice. water can make a tremendous impact on overall yield,” Nelson says. “Water “What we’re doing here, this is not — whether it’s normal,” Kohl says of irrigating beans in too much or not June. “If it means the difference between enough — is a having a stand established or not, that’s limiting factor, obviously going to give you payback for and I think the your dollar spent. But most of the time, subsurface drip there are too many other factors these irrigation may days to make it pay at 5 bushels to the give us a lot more acre. It makes you think twice about the options.” cost and effort involved.” Kelly Nelson
16 Missouri Soybean Farmer | AUGUST 2016 Nelson has studied drainage and — runs perpendicular to the slope. subirrigation systems extensively during The hope is that some lateral flow the past 15 years. In north Missouri, will occur between the half-inch an impermeable claypan layer creates lines, so the spacing of those lines is poor internal drainage in the soil. being considered. The MU project When water is overabundant, a perched is testing 5-foot, 7.5-foot and 10-foot water table develops and causes issues. spacing with emitters positioned In 2001, the MU Drainage and Sub- every 2 feet. Irrigation (MUDS) demonstration site was established to determine if installing “That’s one of the biggest questions drain tiles could offer a solution. The with these systems. We don’t know system not only removes excess water, the lateral flow on sloping soils, but it also allows a producer to irrigate but the impermeable claypan through the tiles when Mother Nature may actually allow us to increase turns off the tap. the spacing between drip lines,” Nelson explains. “We have a lot of “Depending on your soil type, it can sensors put in to look at the water work really well,” Nelson says. “We’ve distribution as you move away from seen soybean yields increase more than that line.” 20 percent and corn yields increase more than 40 percent compared to Yield data will be collected and where we don’t put water back into the evaluated in terms of the economic system.” benefit of subsurface drip irrigation compared to both overhead Installation of the subsurface irrigation But some producers were quick to point sprinkler irrigation and a non-irrigated line during a field day demonstration out that the MUDS system wasn’t for control. Research from Georgia found everyone. that corn and cotton yields increased more than 45 percent with subsurface that could clog the lines.” “Guys would come to our field days and drip irrigation on slopes up to 3 percent, say, ‘I have hill ground. That doesn’t but this is the first work in soybeans in While the system was in place during work for me,’” Nelson says. “We know Missouri. 2015, abundant rainfall throughout we have good drainage on that ground. the growing season prevented the So, it’s just a matter of when it dries “We should see about a 25-percent researchers from ever turning it on. As a out, we need to be efficient at putting reduction in water use when compared result, this year’s crop will be the first to water back on those fields. That’s when to overhead sprinkler irrigation, so there truly test its effectiveness. If the system I started to think we need to target should be a reduction in energy costs proves itself in small plots, Nelson said subsurface drip irrigation. It may allow associated with the system,” Nelson the plan is to move to larger contour farmers with smaller irregular-sized adds. runs. He believes the economics favor fields with varying slopes to provide the subsurface system in fields up to effective irrigation, especially in Of course, installation cost is a major about 60 acres. locations with limited water supply.” consideration, as is the system’s life expectancy. Nelson said to expect about “With a subsurface drip irrigation With center-pivot irrigation, growers are $1,200 per acre for installation with a system, a small amount of water can able to achieve about 80 percent water payback after about 10 years. Rodent be applied quickly to avoid crop stress use efficiency. Furrow irrigators reach damage is another concern, as are allowing a fast irrigation cycle to occur,” only 50 percent efficiency, meaning half various filtration systems, which may Nelson says. “We’ve had drought events of the water is lost to evaporation. With be necessary depending on the water in four of the past 10 years. Can this be a subsurface drip irrigation, producers source. way to try and reduce that variability? can see up to 95 percent efficiency. “You want to make sure you’re applying “We need to determine what our yield At the Greenley Center, Nelson installed clean water through the system,” says benefits are and whether it would justify the drip irrigation test plots at a depth of Nelson, noting that the study is using the installation costs and maintenance 14 inches in a no-till field with greater a disc filter system to remove any costs,” he says. “Is it just a headache or than 3 percent slope. The low-pressure sediment from the lake water. “You also is it the best thing since sliced cheese?” system — fed from a nearby 18-acre lake need to consider chloride or salt issues
To learn more about irrigation options for soybeans, consider attending the annual Greenley Research Center Field Day. The event is scheduled to run from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Aug. 9. A free breakfast and lunch will be served. For more information, call (660) 739-4410. The Greenley Center is located just east of Novelty in Knox County..
Missouri Soybean Farmer | AUGUST 2016 17 Making Soybeans Pay A new soybean crushing facility in southeastern Missouri is working overtime to bring back market premiums for non-GMO and specialty traited soybeans.
s the father of two young daughters, Kade McBroom Athought he knew what sleepless nights were all about. Then he and his By Jason Jenkins wife, Shana, decided to welcome another infant into the family — a $2.2 million non-GMO soybean crushing facility.
“The stresses of a new business are definitely enough to wake you up in the Increased consumer demand for middle of night,” says the 28-year-old non-GMO products is hard to deny. farmer from Qulin. “But it’s also exciting According to Mintel, a global market to get up the next day and go to work. intelligence agency, 15.7 percent of A lot of the risk involved with farming new products introduced in 2015 made prepared me for the risk of this.” “Non-GMO” or “GMO-free” claims. That number was just 2.8 percent in 2012, McBroom is president of Malden making non-GMO the fastest-growing Specialty Soy, which began producing food label claim. high-quality, conventional soybean meal and soybean oil earlier this year “Agriculture is very much an industrial in a factory where pistons were once business, but we’re living in an manufactured. The Dunklin County information age,” McBroom says. company is owned by a group of seven “People want more information about investor-farmers, all of whom produce their food. There’s a big push for non- non-GMO soybeans. GMO. As farmers, we have to recognize the way it’s moving and give consumers
18 Missouri Soybean Farmer | AUGUST 2016 Kade McBroom on the floor of the $2.2 million farmer-owned, non-GMO soybean crushing facility in southeastern Missouri.
what they want. It’s all about satisfying Adding value the market.” Turning raw conventional soybeans into meal and It’s a market to which Missouri’s oil is a relatively simple soybean producers seem to be process. When a load of responding. Data from the U.S. beans arrives at the Malden Department of Agriculture’s National plant, it is weighed and Agricultural Statistics Service show that tested for moisture, foreign while the number of acres planted to material and, perhaps genetically modified soybeans nationally most importantly, GMO remained at 94 percent between 2014 contamination, which must and 2015, the percentage in Missouri not exceed the threshold of dropped — from 91 percent to 87 0.9 percent. Once accepted, percent. the beans are placed in a holding bin to await crushing. “We’re not ‘anti-’ anything,” McBroom continues. “We’re pro-opportunity The crushing process begins by Kade and Shana McBroom and feel like non-GMO is the best drying the beans to a moisture opportunity for our farmers.” content of 10 percent. From the dryer, they enter a roller mill that removes the Opportunities — and increased profits hulls (which are sold for livestock feed) placed in holding tanks. Meal is routed — from non-GMO soybeans were and any foreign material. McBroom says through a cooler to prevent loss of something McBroom recognized several that consistency in the condition of the nutritional value before it is milled and years ago. Along with corn, rice and beans leads directly to the consistency in stored. GMO soybeans, his family also raised a the soybean meal. conventional soybean variety because it McBroom says that while the industry performed well on the farm. “Soybean preparation is often average for expeller-pressed soybean overlooked, but it’s one of the things we meal is 44 percent protein, the meal they For a time, the McBrooms received pride ourselves on,” he says. “Removing produce at Malden rarely is below 50 a premium for those beans, as did the hulls also lowers the fiber and percent. other producers in the area for whom increases the protein in our meal.” Kade brokered specialty grain. Then, “We attribute it to a higher-quality the premium went away. He and the The beans then enter the extruder, soybean,” he explains. “Since our farmers met for dinner at the Hickory which uses a screw press to force the soy investors are also our suppliers, we pick Log, a popular barbecue restaurant in through a small hole. The combination the varieties and control the quality Dexter, to discuss the situation. of force and friction produces pressure from the ground up.” and heat, which is maintained at about “I started researching the non-GMO 325 degrees. The pressure bursts cell Growing markets market and knew it was growing, but walls within the bean so that oil can Since the plant went online in late the premium disappeared because the be extracted more easily. The heat January, business has been booming beans had to be shipped too far to be deactivates trypsin inhibitors, allowing for Malden Specialty Soy, which now crushed,” McBroom says. “So, at that one the soy protein to become digestible. employs nine. As of mid-June, actual meal, we decided to build our own crush sales were quadruple the company’s plant and solve the problem. We put Extrusion results in a chunky, hot original projections, though McBroom together a business plan and a model, soy “soup” that is pumped into one admits those projections were and now, more than four years later, my of two expeller presses, inside which conservative. Soybeans currently are job is to move non-GMO soybeans at a the oil and meal are separated. Oil is processed 24 hours a day, three to four premium.” transferred to a decanter, where any days a week. remaining solids are removed, then
Missouri Soybean Farmer | AUGUST 2016 19 Plant Manager, Devin, checking soybean meal moving through the extruder
To make it easier for customers who quite a ways, but the oil market is pretty crush 40,000 bushels a month starting must document the use of non-GMO tough,” he adds. “For the most part, with new-crop soybeans in September. ingredients, the company’s products we’re selling our non-GMO oil on the Contracting for those beans began earlier are verified by the Non-GMO Project, regular market while trying to develop in the summer. a non-profit organization. This third- new markets.” party endorsement offers some of the “Last year, we averaged about $1 business’ customers peace of mind about Part of that effort is developing products premium per bushel for non-GMO beans,” the soy products they purchase. that use soybean oil as an ingredient. McBroom says. “Premiums are constantly Because of its palatability and energy changing, but they’re typically around “The feedback has been really positive, content, the oil is a great choice for 10 percent of the commodity board cash and it just seems to be growing every combining in mineral feed supplements price.” week,” he says. “Our system is rated for both livestock and wildlife. McBroom to do 2,400 bushels a day, but we’re says the company is in the process of As more producers become interested probably closer to 2,800 or 2,900 creating a deer attractant that combines in growing non-GMO soybeans, Malden bushels. When we get more demand, we soybean oil and minerals that support Specialty Soy will be a full-service can double in size pretty quickly.” antler growth. partner, McBroom says, helping them with seed selection, weed management By far, soybean meal is the product “We’re always experimenting with and finding other premium opportunities that’s driving demand, especially from new things and trying to develop new — even if it’s with other companies. specialty poultry and hog operations. products that move more agricultural Livestock producers in northern goods out of southeast Missouri at a “We can argue about these niche markets, Arkansas and southern Missouri premium price,” he says. but if farmers want to do a value-added have purchased most of the meal, but project, there’s no better place,” he says. McBroom says product also has been To date, the soybeans crushed at the “If we wanted to make regular soybean shipped to Kansas, Wisconsin and Malden facility have been sourced meal and compete with the bigger guys, California. from the company’s farmer-investors. we just couldn’t do it. We’re better off in However, as business grows, more niche markets any day of the week.” “The specialty meal products will travel beans will be needed. The goal is to
To learn more about Malden Specialty Soy, call (573) 276-7991 or visit www.maldenspecialtysoy.com.
20 Missouri Soybean Farmer | AUGUST 2016 Missouri Soybean Farmers Prevail in Legal Action Unanimous verdict in Circuit Court of Jackson County upholds protection for farmers’ checkoff investments.
n a case brought by the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council (MSMC) and IMid-America Research and Development Foundation (MRDF) to protect Missouri soybean farmers’ investments in soybean research under the soybean checkoff program, a unanimous jury recently returned a verdict and an award of $602,945 in favor of MSMC and MRDF, and against AgBorn Genetics, LLC, in the case of Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council & Mid-America Research & Development Foundation v. AgBorn Genetics, LLC, Case No. 1416-CV12453, in the Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri, at Kansas Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council representatives, City. including Gary Wheeler (third from left), and executive board members John Kelley and David Lueck (on right) “This is such an important case for with members of the legal team in Circuit Court in June. soybean farmers,” said Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council chairman and Lafayette County soybean farmer David confirm that AgBorn Genetics has no rights to Lueck. “We take our responsibility to MSMC’s soybean seed technologies. The Court manage growers’ soybean checkoff dollars also previously sanctioned AgBorn Genetics very seriously and will continue to take any in the amount of $59,167.61 for its “abuse of necessary steps to ensure farmers receive the the discovery process and its violation of the benefit of their investments in the checkoff. Court’s Orders.” There’s no excuse for anything less.” These judgments confirm MSMC’s concerted The unanimous jury found that MSMC and and ongoing efforts to defend and enforce the MRDF were entitled to $602,945, not including Missouri soybean farmers’ rights to all their interest and costs, from AgBorn Genetics soybean seed technologies developed through based on royalties owed for undisclosed and checkoff investments. unreported sales of MSMC’s soybean seed technologies and for unpaid and bounced MSMC, headquartered in Jefferson City, royalty checks issued by AgBorn Genetics, Missouri, is a farmer-run organization signed by its general manager Alex Stemme. dedicated to improving the profitability AgBorn Genetics was formed by Stemme and of the Missouri soybean farmer through a William J. Cook of Garden City, Missouri. combination of marketing, research and commercialization programs, supported Earlier in the case, the Court granted summary by the soybean checkoff paid by Missouri judgment in favor of MSMC and MRDF on soybean farmers. MSMC and MRDF were their claims to invalidate two agreements that represented at trial and throughout the case by AgBorn Genetics claimed to be valid contracts. Thompson Coburn LLP, with Todd A. Rowden The Court ruled that both alleged contracts and Christopher M. Hohn serving as lead trial were void and unenforceable. These rulings counsel.
Missouri Soybean Farmer | AUGUST 2016 21 Honor Wall Good news from those working on behalf of Missouri soybean farmers
Biodiesel Gets Good Marks at Rockwood Summit
ongratuations are in order for the students and staff of the Rockwood Summit High School Biodiesel program. This summer, Cthe students, led by chemistry teacher Darrin Peters, submitted their biodiesel for testing against national fuel standards by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
The students recieved good news - their fuel passed all ASTM standards in every category but one. The one category in which it didn’t pass, oxidation, was not a surprise given their use of waste vegetable oil from the school cafeteria in making their biodiesel.
Good results on the ASTM testing brought more good news for the program - a green light to fuel the diesel-powered lawn mower used to care for the school grounds.
Rockwood Summit’s program has also added a rain barrel irrigation system this summer, allowing students and staff to water their soybean crop more efficiently. The students also maintain a Facebook page to share their work - find them on Facebook at Rockwood Summit Biodiesel Project and @RSHSBiodiesel. Biodiesel program students and volun- teers with the school lawnmower, now powered by the biodiesel they produce The student club also has a GoFundMe account set up to raise funds for their programs and events. More information is available through the Rockwood Summit School District website, http://www.rsdmo.org/, or by visiting the GoFundMe page directly at http://dt.gofund.me/nvzrj2fg&rcid=4 2df6e203d5211e6b795bc764e065880.
MU’s Peter Scharf on FastTrack
eter Scharf, professor of plant sciences, was one of three faculty members from the University of Missouri to be presented a FastTrack Funding Award from the UM P System. Scharf studies the management and utilization of nitrogen and fertilizers by farmers. Funding will help devise and deploy drone and satellite imagery capabilities to better evaluate and predict corn loss due to nitrogen deficiency, thereby increasing yields to help feed a growing global population.
Scharf is a professor in the Division of Plant Sciences, within the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri. He also has an appointment within the Cooperative Extension Service on nutrient management. Prior to coming to the University of Missouri, he studied biochemistry and genetics at the University of Wisconsin and agronomy at Virginia Tech University. He earned his Ph.D. in Crop and Soil Environmental Science from Virgina Tech University. Peter Scharf Learn more online at cafnr.missouri.edu and specifically through the Nutrient Management website, http://plantsci.missouri.edu/nutrientmanagement/.
22 Missouri Soybean Farmer | AUGUST 2016 Fishing with Soy Soy-based lubricants and biodiesel got a boost with a recent tournament win.
issouri soybeans topped the leaderboard at the Bass Pro Shops Crappie Masters One Pole Ultimate M Challenge fishing tournament at Truman Lake. Both sponsored teams finished in the top 15 during the Missouri tournament, raising awareness of biodiesel and soy-based lubricants along the way.
Congratulations are due to Charlie and Kevin Rogers in the Soy Smooth boat on a first place finish, and to Steve Perotti and Mike Wehde for finishing 13th in the Slick As Soy boat. The Rogers team boated 14 fish weighing a total of 19.16 pounds for the win, while Perotti and Wehde boated 14 fish weighing a total of 16.77 pounds.
Learn more about the soy-based products available for anglers and other outdoor activities online at mosoy.org, and see the full Crappie Masters schedule online at http:// www.crappiemasters.net/home/.
Meet the Missouri Soybean Interns
he Missouri Soybean Association and Merchandising Council has welcomed five interns for the summer of 2016. The students represent a range of education levels Tand backgrounds, and hail from the University of Missouri and Missouri State University.
Samantha Gibson, a graduate student in agricultural leadership, communication and education at the University of Missouri. Gibson, originally from Norborne, Mo., is working on biodiesel-focused outreach projects during her internship. Adam Kirby, a sophomore studying agricultural business at the University of Missouri. Kirby, who is from Trenton, Mo., is working with grain elevators and other remitters of the soybean checkoff and on education projects this summer. Brittney McBride, a senior at Missouri State University studying agricultural Adam Kirby and Brittney McBride communications. McBride, originally from Centralia, Mo., is working on public relations and magazine projects. Ben Travlos, an undergraduate studying agricultural business at Missouri State University. Travlos, who is from Ashland, Mo., is working on policy outreach to producers this summer. Yia Yang, a junior studying plant sciences at the University of Missouri. Yang is working on research and development during his internship, based at the Bay Farm Research Facility. He is from Wheaton, Mo.
Internships with the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council and Missouri Soybean Association offer a broad range of hands-on opportunities to be involved along the soybean value chain.Students interested in internships with Missouri Soybean can visit mosoy.org for more information, and may send their cover letter explaining what they hope to learn with Missouri Soybean and their resume to Christine Tew, [email protected] Yia Yang to apply.
Missouri Soybean Farmer | AUGUST 2016 23 They Started at Soybean In addition to investing soybean checkoff dollars in research, promotion and consumer education related to soybeans, the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council also invests in the future of agriculture in Missouri with a variety of internship opportunities.
s an agricultural education major, Amanda Smith focused By Brittney McBride Aon the classroom during much of her time at the University of Missouri. While working with Missouri Soybean in 2014, Smith was an education and promotion intern with a broad range of responsibilities outside the classroom.
During the SEMO fair, one of the larger fairs in Missouri, one of Smith’s main responsibilities was planning and Amanda Smith executing the agriculture set-up for children. She partnered with a public she gained and people she met while relations agency to develop educational interning for Missouri Soybean will coloring books for the participants aid in her career as an agricultural and planned out what both the youth instructor. As a result of her experience, and their families would see inside she has several pieces of advice she is AgriLand. eager to share with her students.
Smith explained that her responsibilities “Try everything. Don’t be afraid to fail. revolved around spreading the word of It is an important step in anyone’s life agriculture and providing educational and it’s how you learn to fix problems,” materials for the public. As Smith met Smith said. “I also think being more Missouri farmers, the value she organized, having a calendar and being placed on advocating for agriculture professional is also really important.” became much stronger. She described relationship building as “I was able to meet people who, if I another necessary quality gained during would not have interned with Missouri her internship. Her relationship with Soy, I never would have crossed paths board members and the atmosphere with,” Smith said. of meetings were among her favorite experiences during the summer. In May 2016, Smith graduated with an agricultural education degree from the “Thank you to Missouri Soybean for University of Missouri. This fall, she giving me the opportunity to be involved begins her career teaching agriculture in in another side of agriculture,” Smith Columbia Public Schools. said of the variety in her internship.
“When I went to college, I had a mindset She credits her internship experience that I’m going to be an agriculture with showing her agriculture beyond teacher, so I needed to be involved in the classroom and helping her make both the agricultural education and connections that will help her be a business industries,” Smith said. “I was better educator. hoping to connect with more students, which is what brought me to Missouri Smith currently resides in Columbia, Soy.” where in addition to teaching, she is training to run her second half- Smith believes that the experience marathon in October.
24 Missouri Soybean Farmer | AUGUST 2016 odd Gerlt landed an internship our own with the Missouri Soybean projects, TAssociation in 2002, hoping but we to gain a further understanding of helped each agribusiness. He knew he had an other when interest in agricultural finance, and was someone also looking for a broad experience. needed it.”
During Gerlt’s soybean internship, he Gerlt’s focused on developing relationships interest in with agribusinesses and improving agricultural market opportunities for Missouri financing led soybean farmers. him to his commercial “This internship forced me to work lending hard, which was something I was career at accustomed to because of the farm I US Bank The Gerlt Family grew up on,” Gerlt said. shortly after college graduation. He is still employed financial industry. He remembers researching companies at US Bank, where he has applied many who were working with non-GMO of the things he learned during his “There will always be people that are soybean varieties and spending time summer with the Missouri Soybean smarter than you. However, you can getting to know the people involved. He Association and Merchandising Council, often get ahead by having a willingness also remembers attending the Missouri and continued to take on additional to outwork them and put more time in,” State Fair and talking to fairgoers on responsibilities. He’s now the market Gerlt said. behalf of soybean farmers. president for the Sedalia area. “The biggest piece of advice I have been “My internship was a great experience “I learned through my experience at given is to accept and act upon criticism. because I was able to find ways to create the Missouri Soybean Association that There is always a way to improve. demand within the state and increase commodities are an inelastic product Criticism is there to help you, so don’t the value of Missouri soy,” Gerlt said. and a shift in the demand curve can take it personally,” he added. have a significant impact I learned through my expe- on price,” Gerlt said. Gerlt grew up in Latham, Mo. on a row rience at the Missouri Soybean crop, cattle and hog operation. He took In his career, he reviews that first-hand experience in agriculture Association that commodities marketing plans created with him as he joined the Tipton FFA are an inelastic product and a by farmers and identifies Chapter during high school and studied the change in prices agriculture at the University of Missouri. shift in the demand curve can within a given year. Gerlt have a significant impact on said he sees that biofuels At Mizzou, he participated in many and other programs student organizations, including the Ag price. that expand the use for Econ Club, Honor’s College, Reformed -Todd Gerlt soybeans considerably University Fellowship (RUF) and the impact the soybean Agriculture Future of America (AFA). During his internship, he collaborated market. with other interns and reported back to Today, he and his wife, Jessica, reside the full-time staff. He also remembers a piece of advice outside Sedalia with their three children, that was given to him as an intern and daughters Ashlyn and Makenna, and “It was nice to have a team of interns stuck with him through his career in the son, Caden. to work with,” Gerlt said. “We all had
Missouri Soybean Farmer | AUGUST 2016 25 Growing Soybean Demand
With Missouri’s gubernatorial election on the horizon, the Missouri Soybean Association is focusing on key issues and ensuring our members and soybean farmers statewide have the opportunity to hear from the candidates. In this issue, the topic is soybean demand - specifically, continuing to grow opportunities for soybean processing and use in Missouri.
Missouri ranks second in the nation encourage new soybean crushing capac- CANDIDATES in biodiesel production. What will you ity to build upon our already strong do as governor to not only maintain biodiesel production and create jobs in that ranking but to continue to grow rural Missouri. the industry? BRUNNER Do you support a future statewide John Brunner: As Governor, I will use biodiesel standard? my experience as a businessman to expand the market for our biodiesel John Brunner: I would support any GREITENS products. I will also push back against standard that allows for the increased opponents to the biodiesel industry and opportunity and free market efficiency the EPA to ensure that there is no cap or to maximize the economic growth of our blend wall on our products. agricultural products. HANAWAY Eric Greitens: No answer received. Eric Greitens: This is another area where the career politicians in Jefferson City Catherine Hanaway: Cultivating and have failed Missouri’s farmers. Missouri growing our biodiesel industry is es- is a national leader in biodiesel, ranking sential both to positioning Missouri as fourth in biodiesel production capacity KINDER a national agribusiness leader and also and second in production. Eight Mis- to developing safe, domestic energy souri biodiesel plants produce roughly sources to power our nation. Although 200 million gallons of the renewable fuel I am generally opposed to tax credits, per year. Biodiesel is a cheap, biodegrad- KOSTER I do support funding for the Biodiesel able and renewable energy source that Producer Incentive Fund in addition to can be produced domestically. Unfortu- other similar programs that encourage nately, the Biodiesel Qualified Producer bringing new plants online or more Incentive Fund that the state set up has biofuels into the marketplace. I am also been very slow to pay out, and still has can do for agriculture is to get govern- open to increasing existing state support over $9.6 million in deferred payments ment out of the way. I am opposed to for alternative fueling infrastructure. still owed to qualified biodiesel produc- government regulation, like Obama’s ers across the state. Any biodiesel incen- ridiculous ‘Waters of the United States’ Peter Kinder: Henry Ford once said you tive fund agreed to under a Greitens federal mandate on our family farm- can’t build a reputation on what you are administration will be paid off in a ers, or inflated health insurance that going to do, and I think my record on timely and appropriate manner, and as hurts our small agribusinesses. I will supporting Missouri fuels and Missouri governor I will support the production work to create an environment that will Agriculture in general is clear, from sup- of biodiesel in Missouri. continue to support this next-generation port for the Missouri Qualified Biodiesel fuel to the point where its value is clear Producer Incentive Fund, to passing a Catherine Hanaway: I support maintain- to Missouri consumers by investing in bill expanding Grower Districts, to vot- ing the existing biodiesel use require- research and development funding, ing for and championing tax incentives ment for MoDOT vehicles and would eliminating regulation, and creating tax for the necessary infrastructure for Mis- consider expanding the requirement to incentives. souri Fuels to thrive. cover all state vehicles if practicable. I am open to the idea of a state biodiesel Chris Koster: I would support a state- Chris Koster: I support the Missouri Al- standard, along the lines of Washing- wide B5 standard as a first step in ternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit ton’s fuel standard or Minnesota’s blend encouraging greater use of biodiesel. and the Missouri Qualified Fuel Etha- requirements. Additionally, I support increasing the nol Producer and Qualified Biodiesel usage of biodiesel throughout the state’s Producer Incentive Funds. And I will Peter Kinder: The best thing Missouri vehicle fleet.
26 Missouri Soybean Farmer | AUGUST 2016 Providing feed for livestock is the top Catherine Hanaway: I was a strong tion; be it county nuisance ordinances, use for soybeans in our state and a supporter of our state’s Right to Farm CAFO restrictions, or anything that hurts leading goal for the Missouri Soybean amendment and will continue to op- the profitability of the family ranch and Association is to grow feed demand. pose any and all efforts by HSUS and farm. I will foster a new era of increased What will you do to promote a fair other radical environmentalist groups cooperation between our row-crop farm- and equitable regulatory environ- to dictate to farmers how to raise their ers and ranchers in Missouri and ensure ment for our agricultural producers livestock or grow their crops. Two of we are adding every dollar of value to and ensure regulations do not stifle the other most significant threats to our these in-state products that we can. I will growth in Missouri’s animal agricul- animal agriculture producers in this connect Missouri’s cotton growers’ seed ture sector? state are overly intrusive government to our struggling dairy industry. I’d like regulation and a tort system that allows to see incentives that connect Missouri’s John Brunner: As Governor, I will be a trial lawyers to receive lottery jackpot abundant grain production to Missouri stalwart ally of Missouri agriculture. I paydays by bringing needless lawsuits ranchers so that we can retain and feed- will work through whatever mediums against hardworking Missourians and out more livestock, earning maximum available to me to push back against the their farms and businesses. As Governor, price at the sale barn. EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers I will freeze all nonemergency regula- whenever they propose onerous regula- tions on day one and will launch a com- Chris Koster: As a member of the Mis- tions. prehensive review of state regulations so souri Senate, I sponsored the CAFO bill, that we can eliminate the unnecessary seeking a single statewide standard in Eric Greitens: Agriculture is one of the ones that just drive up the cost of doing order to prevent county health ordinanc- most important industries in our state, business, especially for farmers. I will es from creating a patchwork regulatory but it is under attack from federal over- also fight the federal government and environment for Missouri’s livestock regulation. Things have gotten so bad in its unconstitutional power grabs like the industry. In the Arrow Rock case, I Missouri that as the first drop of sweat Waters of the United States rule. I will fought and won a judgement so district falls from a farmer’s brow, an army of order all state departments and agencies court judges cannot establish buffer Washington bureaucrats are standing to refuse to participate in the enforce- zones around CAFOs. If local judges had there, ready to regulate it once it hits the ment of federal rules that I believe are the power draw their own buffer zones ground. The real issue here is simple: unconstitutional or illegal. It is time to around individual farms, we could have the federal government thinks that get federal regulators out of our fields eventually reached a point where no without a bureaucrat on our farms, we’ll and barns! I am also committed to bring- land in our state is permitted for agricul- ruin our land, kill our livestock, and ing about comprehensive tort reform tural operations. As Attorney General, destroy our crops. Ninety-nine percent and judicial selection reform in this I’ve been active in fighting U.S. Environ- of the acreage in Missouri is now subject state, to ensure that our courtrooms are mental Protection Agency overreach in to federal regulation-- whether that’s places of true justice. We need punitive federal court. First, I successfully fought the EPA, Army Corps of Engineers, or damage caps, restrictions on nuisance the EPA to block the mercury rule. I then other bureaucrats with a radical agenda. lawsuits against farmers, and judicial fought their overreach in the Chesa- Farming and ranching have been a selection reform to ensure that Missouri peake Bay watershed case, and won. way of life for generations of Missouri farmers cannot be sued into bankruptcy Perhaps, most importantly, I then sued families, but that way of life has become just because pigs stink or dogs bark. the EPA over the Waters of the United too expensive and too difficult thanks Peter Kinder: You’ll never see me side States rule, and won, stopping the rule to costly and unnecessary restrictions. with the Humane Society and other radi- from being applied in Missouri. Things have gotten worse under the cal groups whose sole purpose is to de- watch of career politicians, who stand by stroy animal agriculture in Missouri and My record of supporting agriculture and watch as our farmers are targeted America. I didn’t wait until the Right- is unrivaled in this race. No other by Washington regulators. We need to to-Farm constitutional amendment and candidate can come close to the depth have a fighter who’s going to fight to get WOTUS to join Missouri’s farmers and and breadth of my support for the Ag the federal government off the backs of ranchers in this fight against the radi- community in this state. As Attorney our farmers and ranchers. And that’s cal environmentalists. I stood with our General, I’ve provided funding to make what you’re going to have from me as a ranchers in the Proposition B fight and sure these research centers continue governor. Someone who actually fights with Missouri agriculture in every major their important mission. As Governor, for our farmers and ranchers and gets fight we’ve faced from the outside since I will be a strong advocate for Missouri results and wins for us. entering public service. I will fight any agriculture in the face of burdensome regulatory effort that stifles our produc- regulations.
Missouri Soybean Farmer | AUGUST 2016 27 Dan Engemann serves Soybean Policy Update as the Director of Policy for the Missouri tate- level policy work has largely Missouri Department of Agriculture Soybean Association been focused on legislation from to increase its per-barrel motor fuel and Merchandising Council. He represents Missouri’s spring session. inspection fee from the current 2.5 cent S Missouri soybean cap to 5 cents per barrel by 2022, to keep farmers on policy Governor Nixon took action on pace with equipment needs and other issues at the state and agricultural legislation in late June. At maintenance within its motor fuel lab. federal levels. a bill signing ceremony at the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia, the SB 657 (Munzlinger) contains several governor signed the following bills, provisions relating to motor vehicles, which all benefit soybean growers and but most notably it removes liability corporate farm registration reporting the biodiesel industry: for handlers of motor fuel meeting requirements by removing the annual the state’s quality and labeling laws reporting requirement with the SB 665 (Parson) reauthorizes for five in which a consumer fills their tank Secretary of State’s office so long as years the New Generation Cooperative with an incompatible ethanol or other no changes have taken place in the Incentive, Ag Product Utilization renewable fuel product. information required by the report in Contributor and Qualified Beef tax credit the farm’s articles of incorporation or programs. Further, the bill allows the SB 664 (Parson) revises the state’s since its last annual report.
28 Missouri Soybean Farmer | AUGUST 2016 Federal Policy One of the most visible pieces of legislative priorities for the year, and all agricultural policy moving this summer members are encouraged to call their has been GMO labeling. A compromise Congressional delegation in support of on a national GMO labeling solution this bill. was reached on June 23 between Senate Ag Chairman Pat Roberts and In WOTUS news, at the end of May the Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow. The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled compromise language passed an initial that landowners do not have to wait test vote in the Senate June 29 with both for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s Senators Blunt and McCaskill voting in permit process to be completed or favor. The vote in that test was 68-29. an enforcement action taken before they can take legal recourse on a The compromise language preempts jurisdictional wetland determination, state labeling laws like the one in striking a major victory on this issue. As Vermont effective immediately upon far the larger WOTUS issue, the U.S. 6th signature into law and sets three Circuit Court of Appeals set its briefing mandatory options for medium and schedule, pushing WOTUS arguments large food manufacturers, including into February of next year and into the on-pack language, on-pack symbol, or next administration. QR code accompanied with the text “Scan here for more food information.” The Water Resources Development It provides small food manufacturers Act (WRDA) has been marked up by the additional options of either an both the House and the Senate. Of note 800-number or website to put forth is that lockage fees as part of public- additional consumer information. private partnerships, or P3s, have been Further, the compromise language prohibited in both bills over major exempts GMO-fed meat, dairy and eggs opposition by the towing industry. from requiring a label. Soybean groups have been discussing this issue as a potential funding solution Biodiesel continues to be a focus area as to our nations aging lock and dam well, with EPA taking comments on its infrastructure. proposed rule for 2018 biomass-based diesel volumes through July 11. MSA, Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer filed Rep. along with fellow soybean organizations Blaine Luetkemeyer filed H.R. 5281, the and the National Biodiesel Board, has Endangered Species Self-Determination The governor signed SB 655 called on the EPA to increase volumes Act in May. Sen. Rand Paul has since (Munzlinger), which establishes the from 2.1 billion gallons to at least 2.5 introduced companion legislation (S. Fertilizer Control Board, separately, billion gallons, a level the biodiesel 855) which would require approval giving farmers authority to oversee industry currently has the production of a joint resolution in Congress for operation of the Fertilizer Control capacity to meet. new species to be added to the federal Service at the University of Missouri. endangered species list and require This legislation allows board members HR 5240, which extends and reforms the governors of each state in which an to appropriately set and invest the self- biodiesel tax credit has been introduced endangered species is present to consent imposed tonnage fee paid by farmers by Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD). Missouri’s to the decision to list that species, and ag retailers into fertilizer research Rep. Jason Smith has signed on to be an amongst many other reforms. and education. original cosponsor and MSA is grateful for his support. Prior to the July 4 Hosting Events Governor Nixon also separately vetoed holiday, a Missouri delegation of farmers MSA is planning to host a series of HB 1713 (Remole) specifying that at and staff traveled to Washington D.C. “Soybean Shop Talks” with members least two members of the Missouri to meet with House and Senate staff to of Congress during their August Clean Water Commission shall be encourage support for this legislation. recess. Information about the events representatives of agriculture, industry will be posted on mosoy.org as it or mining. The governor also vetoed SB HR 5240 includes provisions that becomes available. As always, please 641 (Schatz) which would create a state prohibit foreign biodiesel producers don’t hesitate to contact me with your income tax deduction for payments from qualifying for the credit. questions, concerns and feedback at received as part of a federal disaster Protecting Missouri producers is a key [email protected] or (573) 635- program. component of the Soybean Association’s 3819.
Missouri Soybean Farmer | AUGUST 2016 29 Missouri s Want More? Upcoming Events & Visit us at mosoy.org to learn more!
Activities “Like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. August 2 Farm Journal Soybean College - Columbia
August 4-6 Soybean Festival - Norborne
August 9 Greenley Research Center Field Day - Novelty
August 11-21 Missouri State Fair - Sedalia
August 23 Graves-Chapple Research Center Field Day - Rock Port Spots are limited - register by July 25 at mosoy.org. August 23 Hundley-Whaley Research Center Field Day - Albany
September 2 Fisher Delta Research Center Field Day - Portageville
Our apologies - the SOYPAC golf tournament planned for August 5 in Mexico, Mo. has been canceled.
The soy checkoff is looking for farmers from diverse backgrounds to get involved in the United Soybean Board or Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council. There are a variety of opportunities to serve, and your talent and input can make a difference.
Help to lead the U.S. soybean industry into the future. Contact the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council at www.MOsoy.org and get involved today, or visit www.UnitedSoybean.org/GetInvolved.
YOUR PERSPECTIVE IS WORTH GROWING
Missouri 30 Missouri Soybean Farmer | AUGUST 2016 s
52610_Diversity_MO_7x4.875.indd 1 11/18/14 11:50 AM Soybean Yield Contest Entry deadline is September 1 - now’s the time to select your top plots.
he Missouri Soybean Association be submitted on a separate form and The contest will continue to recognize is proud to host the 2016 Soybean accompanied by the $10 entry fee. winners in separate categories for T Yield Contest, sponsored by irrigated and no-till growing methods. the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Thanks to the partnership of the The overall winner of the irrigated Council and industry partners. The Missouri Soybean Merchandising contest will be selected from all entrants annual competition recognizes those Council, soybean checkoff and industry, who used irrigation on their crop, producers across the state who truly top growers can receive a trip to the regardless of tillage practice. The overall excel in soybean production based on 2017 Commodity Classic in San Antonio, winner of the non-irrigated contest their crop yields. Growers have until their own UAV – drone – and accessories, will be selected from among district September 1 to complete their entry gift cards to Cabela’s and for biodiesel, winner(s) of the No-tillage and Tilled forms. Forms and rules are available as well as cash prizes. Growers with categories combined. online at mosoy.org by clicking on the yields of 100 bushels per acre or more graphic at the top of this page, as well receive additional prizes as well. The Prizes will be awarded during the as by contacting the Missouri Soybean highest yield above 100 bushels per Missouri Soybean Association’s annual office at (573) 635-3819. acre will receive $1,000 in biodiesel or meeting in early 2017. a $1,000 gift card to Cabela’s. All other Entries must be from fields 10 acres or entries topping the 100 bushel mark will Winners will also be recognized online larger and located within the State of receive $500 in biodiesel or a $500 gift and in Missouri Soybean Farmer Missouri, and all participants must be card to Cabela’s. magazine. at least 18 years of age. Each entry must 2016 Contest Sponsors
Missouri Soybean Farmer | AUGUST 2016 31 Drive safely.
You may not encounter many traffic hazards when operating farm machinery, but driving safely should still be your first priority. Especially when equipment is near power lines.
Any contact between farm machines and electric lines is potentially lethal. Plan your path to be sure you will clear power lines by at least 10 feet, especially when making turns and when entering and leaving the job site.