Reading some of Dr. Anne Dorrance’s work one day reminded me of the importance of the investments made by soybean farmers. Dr. Dorrance is the Ohio State University Extension specialist for soybean diseases. She is also one of the leading researchers in the field, working at the Ohio Agricultural and Research Development Center in Wooster, Ohio. Much of her important work is funded with soybean checkoff funds.

Soybean farmers collectively invest a portion of their revenues to fund research and promotion efforts. Since 1991, the soybean checkoff has been building soybean demand in some of the most important markets for U.S. soybeans. At a rate of one-half percent of the net market value per bushel sold, soybean farmers across the nation are investing in their future through their checkoff dollars. That equals a nickel for every $10 worth of soybeans sold.
The mission of the Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) is to invest these checkoff funds to maximize the profit opportunities for Ohio farmers. The OSC priorities are:

•Increasing soybean farmers profits per acre
•Bringing practical research to Ohio’s soybean farmers
•Investing in a targeted portfolio of short, medium and long-term projects
•Increasing food and industrial usage of soybeans.
Following are seven focus areas that are emphasized by the Ohio Soybean Council:

•Animal Agriculture – the largest market for soybean meal is animal agriculture. Nearly 98 percent of U.S. soybean meal is consumed by livestock and poultry. Because of the direct connection to the production of soybean meal, animal agriculture plays a vital role in the value of soybeans. More than 47,000 Ohio jobs exist because of animal agriculture. Each year, livestock and poultry farms generate more than $229 million in tax revenue that stays in Ohio communities and schools.

•Production Research - Disease resistance and increasing yields are vital to the continued success of Ohio soybean farmers. But a growing demand for soybeans that can deliver specific compositional traits in regards to oil, protein and fiber content has also fueled the need for and development of new soybean varieties.

•International Marketing – Ohio soybean producers and Ohio’s economy benefit from increasing demand in global markets. Every year, nearly half of U.S. soybeans are exported to buyers in markets such as Asia, Europe and Latin America. China is the largest export market, accounting for approximately one-third of all U.S. soybean exports. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates, soybeans are Ohio’s number one export among agricultural products.

•New Uses – Through a broad range of research and development initiatives, soybeans play a vital role in the creation of new products, solutions and chemical alternatives for the future. That is why new industrial, office and home uses for soybeans are a priority for OSC and the soybean checkoff.

•Soy Biodiesel – Soy biodiesel is a clean-burning, renewable fuel made from soybeans. It is most commonly blended with petroleum diesel and can be used in any diesel engine without modifications. Most common blends are B2, B10 and B20 (20-percent biodiesel and 80-percent petroleum diesel). Soy biodiesel not only contributes to Ohio’s economy, but it is environmentally-friendly and helps reduce dependence on foreign oil.

•Business Climate – OSC works closely with economic development stakeholders to improve the business climate for agriculture in Ohio and to strengthen the overall Ohio economy. OSC also focuses on business attraction opportunities that can utilize soybeans and soybean byproducts, which in turn strengthen the market for Ohio soybeans.

•Transportation – The soybean checkoff is working to identify transportation opportunities and overcome challenges that impact producers’ profitability.
Headquartered in Worthington, Ohio, the Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) is governed by an 18-member volunteer farmer board, which directs the Soybean Promotion and Research Program.

Fortunately, I know several of the board members fairly well and can verify their dedication to soybean farmers throughout Ohio.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Roger Bender may write to him in care of this publication.