WINTER 2020 A Publication of the Nebraska Soybean Association and the Nebraska Soybean Board Lincoln, NE 68510 Lincoln, 210 Suite 4435 O Street, SoybeanNebraska Association KNOWLEDGE SHARING The Education & Communication Issue: Teaching and telling the story of soybeans’ value on pages 10–21. 8 Soy-based road sealant can pave the way for cost-effective road preservation. NONPROFIT ORG NONPROFIT PERMIT NO. 498 PERMIT US POSTAGE PAID OMAHA, NE 26 The latest update from the USMEF’s president and CEO indicates promising times ahead for meat exports. WINTER 2020 / NEBRASKASOYBEANS.ORG 1 2 WINTER 2020 / NEBRASKASOYBEANS.ORG INVESTING CHECKOFF DOLLARS The Nebraska Soybean Association and the Nebraska Soybean Board are proud to share the FY20 Winter edition of this publication with you—members of our shared community. 3815 Touzalin Avenue, Suite 101 Lincoln, Nebraska 68507 402-441-3240 Here’s How It’s Been Growing: nebraskasoybeans.org Eugene’s Take on Soybeans for 2020 4 Read this year’s outlook from Eugene Goering, the newly appointed NSB chairman. The Nebraska Soybean Board is a private, nonprofit checkoff board is responsible for the research and Soybeans in the Spotlight promotion of soybeans in an effort to increase the 5 Association President Robert Johnston pens his final message as he concludes his tenure. profitability of the state’s 22,000 soybean producers. Your 2020 Board Leadership Nebraska Soybean Board Members Meet your NSB committees and officers for the year ahead and learn about USB appointments. 6 District 1 ‘Keeping the Good Roads Good’ Anne Meis (Secretary), Elgin Soy-based road sealant can pave the way for cost-effective road preservation. 8 District 2 Jason Penke, Craig District 3 Knowledge Sharing Richard Bartek, Ithaca 10-21 Our feature section highlighting how the Nebraska Soybean Board invests checkoff dollars in education and communication projects to enhance soybeans’ value. District 4 Eugene Goering (Chairman), Columbus Why We Invest in Education & Communication District 5 Board Member Anne Meis underscores the importance of strategically investing in ways to teach and 11 Daryl Obermeyer (Treasurer), Brownville talk about soybeans to all audiences. District 6 Teaching Outside of the Box Nathan Dorn, Firth Fourth-grade students learn about all the wonderful ways soybeans impact agriculture and their 12 daily lives through two unconventional lessons. District 7 Doug Saathoff (Vice Chairman), Trumbull Never Too Soon To Focus On The Future Of Farming District 8 13 The future of soybean farming is in good hands with Nebraska FFA. Clay Govier, Broken Bow Soybean Education in Action At-Large 14-15 Teachers are meeting new state standards for science and bringing soybeans into middle school Greg Anderson, Newman Grove classrooms thanks to the Soybean Science Institute. United Soybean Board Members Tony Johanson, Oakland On the Air Mike Korth, Randolph Partnership produces content, collaboration and communication across seven states. 16 Ed Lammers, Hartington Why Just Read About Checkoff Dollars When You Can ‘See for Yourself?’ Ron Pavelka, Glenvil 17 Join other producers to learn about soybeans on a larger scale through this NSB tour. Nebraska Soybean Board Staff Lisa Abler Effective, Efficient, Farmer-Driven Victor Bohuslavsky 18-19 The NSB’s partnership with Nebraska Extension yields a host of helpful educational events and Cale Buhr resources free to growers. Thomas Hoxmeier Scott Ritzman Telling the Ag Story Lois Ronhovde Add social media to the list of technologies changing agriculture, especially how it’s seen by the Teri Zimmerman 20-21 outside world. NSB Shows Support for Women in Ag as Groups Host Annual Conferences At the AG-ceptional Women’s Conference in November, NSB celebrated women’s role in agriculture. On The Cover 22 Soybean Science Institute (SSI) Bring Your Voice to the Table participants take an up-close Join the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance as they tackle emerging issues. 23 look at soybean aphids. Biodiesel Demand Grows in the Big Apple Credit: Thomas Hoxmeier. 25 New York City’s growing dependence on Bioheat has opened a new market for soybeans. Big Growth Opportunities 26 The latest update from the USMEF’s president and CEO indicates promising times ahead for meat exports. 3 Nebraskans Chosen for ASA Young Leader Program Growers from Doniphan and Randolph were selected into this year’s program. 27 WINTER 2020 / NEBRASKASOYBEANS.ORG 3 INVESTING CHECKOFF DOLLARS Note from the EXECUTIVE EUGENE’S TAKE ON DIRECTOR SOYBEANS FOR 2020 Even though change was the theme last year, there are plenty of positives to look forward to as the new year begins. By Eugene Goering, Columbus, NSB Chairman This January, we look back on a challenging year of weather, flooding and interruption of foreign markets. Yet, there were still many successes adding even more value to By Victor Bohuslavsky the crop we grow: Meal demand is growing in the state with rapid growth in poultry. We hear reports in growth and diversification of foreign markets in Southeast Asia, The winter issue of SoybeaNebraska focuses Europe and across our northern and southern borders. Plus, the use of soybean oil in on investments the Nebraska Soybean biofuels is expanding. Board (NSB) makes in education and Soybean oil continues to amaze me. It is used in the tires on my wife’s car, fuel communication programs. NSB has a strong in my diesel engines, the foam seats of my son’s car and now in road sealants. presence in Nebraska schools, starting with Demonstrators in Omaha and Lincoln have shown good results and cost savings for fourth-grade education programs like the pavement preservation. Ag Sack Lunch program for students visiting our state capitol. At the junior high level, In spite of the challenging weather in 2019, many producers had very good yields. And our Soybean Science Institute gives teachers so the work of the checkoff board continues in 2020. scientific insights to implement curriculum A brief introduction: I’m Eugene Goering, your newly elected Nebraska Soybean using soybeans as a teaching tool. Board (NSB) chairman, and I was also recently re-elected to represent District 4. I live The NSB provides valuable information and in Columbus with my wife Sheila, and we farm in the Platte Center area and near research results to farmers and consumers Fairmont with my two sons. to help share knowledge and best practices in agriculture. Soybean Management Field The Board is planning for the year ahead and reviewing the year we just completed. Days has provided unbiased research for 22 We greeted two new members to the Board—welcome to Clay Govier and Jason years across the state as well as other timely Penke. They both participated in their first meeting in November and impressed me topics regarding soybean pests, diseases and with what they can bring and contribute to our checkoff. We also reorganized and risk management. filled committees with new officers and members. I’m happy to have Anne Meis as our secretary, Daryl Obermeyer continuing as treasurer and Doug Saathoff as vice Good education and communication chairman alongside me as officers. On the national level, congratulations to Ed programs are key for soybean farmers Lammers and Ron Pavelka, who were appointed to represent Nebraska on the United and consumers. They continue and create Soybean Board. relationships and partnerships dedicated to growing domestic and international Two NSB members have completed their terms, so we thank Terry Horky and Tony soybean demand as well as the acceptance Johanson for their service. We hired a new staff member last fall, Associate Executive of soybean products. Education and Director Scott Ritzman. November was his first meeting with Board, but he has been communication are a part of the changing working for several months and contributed to many projects already. world, and the NSB must (and will) continue to communicate those challenges to move In closing I want to thank all the Board members and staff. We work to invest our programs forward. your checkoff dollars in projects designed to grow Nebraska soybean farmers’ opportunities here and around the world. Have a good winter season. Happy New Year! For more information, go to NebraskaSoybeans.org. 4 WINTER 20202020 / NEBRASKASOYBEANS.ORG YOUR POLICY DOLLARS From the Association SOYBEANS 4435 O Street, Suite 210 Lincoln, NE 68510 Phone: 402-441-3239 IN THE [email protected] nesoybeans.org 2019 President SPOTLIGHT Robert Johnston, Clearwater, District 2 By Robert Johnston, Clearwater, NSA President State Directors Brent Svoboda, Pender – District 1 Robert Johnston, Clearwater – District 2 Clint Hostler, Boelus – District 3 Kent Grotelueschen, Octavia – District 4 Doug Bartek, Wahoo – District 5 Greetings, Nebraska soybean producers. production, there is a silver lining. As harvest Adam Ickes, Roca – District 6 As the new year begins, we can reflect back at what wrapped up, we know some beans are being Wade Walters, Shickley – District 7 Craig Frenzen, Fullerton – At Large a year 2019 has been. We’ll remember it for years exported (even to China) and the market adjusted slightly. We understand the first-phase agreement Shane Greving, Chapman – At Large to come—soybean production and agriculture as a Vacant – At Large with China is ready to be implemented, and the whole are demanding enough, but when you add soygrowers.com politics, weather and, yes, more politics, you have a House of Representatives could possibly vote on the recipe for a challenging crop year. USMCA agreement soon. The announcement of the second payment of the market facilitation program Most of us do not need to be reminded, but gives us some certainty. Hopefully this encouraging the season began with historic weather news helps us look forward to this year. conditions—the spring snow, rain and flooding plus uncertainties about planting intentions. Then Thank you to all NSA members.