By TIM ALEXANDER
Illinois Correspondent

URBANA, Ill. — When Dr. Hans Stein, an associate professor of swine nutrition at the University of Illinois College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES), accepted an offer to become interim executive director of the National Soybean Research Laboratory (NSRL) last December, he brought a unique perspective to the federally-funded facility on the UoI campus.

“It’s the first time a nutritionist has served in this role,” said Stein, who received a Ph.D. in animal sciences from UoI in 1998 and is known worldwide for his scholarship, particularly on the subjects of swine nutrition and production.

“This position usually goes to an economist. But soybean products are mainly sold for nutritional purposes for farm animals and there is a growing market in human nutrition for soybeans, so I guess those are pretty good reasons to (appoint) a nutritionist.”

As interim director, Stein is responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction for NSRL and its programs, maintaining relationships with stakeholders and helping the lab achieve its directives.

“We’re here to provide strategy to the lab, in kind of an oversight position. We consider future strategies and determine what are the means to advance soybean products,” he said.

He explained he will work on the supply side of things to examine producers’ needs in order to help them to grow soybeans as effectively as possible, including determining the best strategies for preventing weeds and controlling diseases, as well as issuing advice about seed genetics.

“The more we can do to help (farmers) grow soybeans with higher yields, the more profitable they will be,” said Stein.

On the demand side, Stein said research done at NSRL focuses on maintaining and expanding world markets for soybean products. “More than 90 percent of all soybeans produced go to livestock feed all around the world and here in the U.S. We need to make sure we are showing the value of soybeans to the rest of the world,” he said.

Another aspect of Stein’s work with NSRL, in which he takes great pride, is the lab’s campaign to expand the nutritional value of soy products in impoverished nations around the world in order to help alleviate world hunger.

“Soy protein is a great source of protein for humans, so in areas of the world that don’t have enough protein – Central America, Africa, Asia – we try to get more protein into their diets,” Stein said. “We’re currently working in 13 countries and looking to expand those efforts.

“Long-term, our objectives are to teach people around the world how valuable soy protein can be in feeding children and adults. We try to get into school lunch programs, kitchens in orphanages and hospitals ... places like those.

“In many cases we can teach people to prepare a more nutritious meal without increasing the cost of that meal. Often soy products can be combined with their indigenous foods in order to take advantage of what they have (or grow),” he added.

The NSRL recently partnered with the Illinois Soybean Assoc. (ISA) and the American Soybean Assoc. WISHH program to send a shipping container full of soy food products to Haiti as an emergency relief measure. The groups also provide year-round nutrition through soy products for children and others in Haiti.
“I will probably continue to be involved in (humanitarian) work a long time after I complete my duties as interim executive director of NSRL,” Stein said.

The ISA provides some of the funding for NSRL research, along with grants from the federal government (USDA). In addition, the Obama administration has set aside stimulus money for agricultural research into climate change, global hunger and biofuels – three topics of research of concern to the soybean industry.

“We fit well into those three categories,” said Stein, “though research funding is always a concern. You are always uncertain how long programs are going to last, but we are confident we will continue to find enough resources to continue our work.”
Though Stein expects a permanent NSRL executive director, likely an economist, will be named by August, a personnel hiring freeze initiated by UoI may extend the opportunity for him to hold the post.

“I would welcome that. It’s a very interesting job with a lot of excitement and challenges. You get a chance to work with the Illinois soybean industry and at the same time, help the livestock industry. And, you get to help humans around the world with their nutritional needs,” said Stein.

His academic achievements include a Green Diploma from the Farmers’ Agricultural School and a Master of Science in animal sciences from the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, both in Denmark.

“We will continue to do as much as we can to make sure the results of all research done (at NSRL) are issued to the soybean producers of Illinois as quickly as possible,” Stein concluded. “Quick dissemination of research is very important so that producers can take advantage of what we learn A.S.A.P.”