Soybean Checkoff and Grower Dollars

at Work

ISA Vision & MissionVision• The Illinois Soybean Association strives to

enable Illinois soybean producers to be the most knowledgeable and profitable soybean producers around the world.

Mission• To ensure Illinois soy is the highest quality,

most dependable, sustainable and competitive in the global marketplace.

ISA ValuesProvide leadership to the Illinois soybean industry through commitment, perseverance and honor to achieve maximum profitability for each Illinois soybean producer.

ISA GoalsMaximum profitability and global competitive positioning for Illinois soybean producers.

• Utilization of 600 million bushels of Illinois soybeans by 2020.

• Development of the highest quality soybean, soybean oil and soybean meal products.

• Implementation of best management practices to maximize profitability.

• Increase soybean production in a sustainable manner to meet global market needs.

ISA Leadership Board of Directors

• 24 volunteer Illinois farmers• 18 directors from specific

districts throughout the state• 6 at-large directors who

represent state as a whole• Govern ISA use of checkoff and

non-checkoff funds• Each director serves on

production or marketing committee

Priority Target AreasProduction Committee Marketing Committee

Yield Animal Agriculture

High Quality Transportation

Sustainability Market Access/Advocacy

Image Building Aquaculture

Producer Communications Industrial Utilization

Animal AgricultureCheckoff Investment Goal: Increase worldwide livestock consumption of Illinois soybeans and products.

• Growth is good for the economy. Livestock production and meat and dairy processing have a $27 billion impact on Illinois and support employment.

• Focus on opportunities as member of Illinois Livestock Development Group and work with other Illinois farm groups.

• Use ISA toolkits to communicate need for animal agriculture support.

Animal AgricultureEncourage and support growth of Illinois livestock industry, our No. 1 customer.

Animal AgricultureIncrease domestic and international soybean meal use in value-added sales.

• Encourage meat and poultry processors to remain and expand in Illinois.

• Build relationships with pork and poultry customers and grow exports through U.S. Meat Export Federation and USA Poultry & Egg Export Council.

• Provide resources to animal nutrition researchers to enhance soybean meal composition and use as feed.

• Meet with livestock and poultry stakeholders to understand and work to meet feed composition needs.

Animal AgricultureImprove soy products for better utilization as feed for livestock industry.

TransportationCheckoff Investment Goal: Ensure soybeans and soy products reach intended destinations efficiently.

• Crumbling infrastructure:

• makes Illinois soybeans less competitive in domestic and international markets.

• damages efficiency and productivity.

• increases farmer costs.

Transportation

• Roads and bridges: Disrepair forces farmers to take longer routes.

• Railroads: Inefficiencies cause detours and delays.

• Waterways: Deteriorating locks and dams and silt-filled waterways increase transportation costs.

• Intermodal Containers: Efficient use depends on interconnectivity of all transportation options.

Raise awareness of issues across all transportation modes.

Transportation

• Conduct analyses that examine challenges and opportunities and communicate results.

• Build understanding of assessments with farmers, public and legislators.

• Advocate for national and state infrastructure improvement.

Educate key stakeholders about transportation challenges and opportunities.

Yield Checkoff Investment Goal: Increase soybean yield and return on investment.

• Develop varieties and production practices that improve yields beyond the national average.

• Position ISA as source to help farmers improve yield.

• Increase awareness/understanding of research being done to enhance productivity and profitability.

Yield Highlight production management.

• Share recommendations and results at Illinois Soybean Summit.

• Promote Varietal Information Program for Soybeans (VIPS) to help with variety selection.

• ISA/Farm Journal Soybean College

• Other farmer education programs

YieldConduct production research.

• Utilize Managed Research Area (MRA) approach.

• Each MRA emphasizes a specific production problem:

− Weed management

− Pest and disease control

High QualityCheckoff Investment Goal: Develop the highest quality soybean, soybean oil and soybean meal products.

• Build awareness of the impacts of lower-quality soybeans. By working to satisfy end-user needs for high protein and oil, farmers can remain competitive in the marketplace.

• Create awareness among farmers that yield doesn’t have to be sacrificed to achieve high-quality soybeans.

High Quality

• Selecting only for yield creates a disconnect with customer needs.

• Lower protein soybeans are less competitive in marketplace. Higher amino acid levels generally are found in higher protein soybeans.

• Varieties are available that will produce high yields and more protein and oil.

Educate farmers that protein and oil content affects prices received and demand.

High Quality

• Resources to find varieties that competitively deliver at least 35 percent protein and 19 percent oil and yield:

− Soybean Quality Toolbox www.soyquality.org

− VIPS www.vipsoybeans.org

Create awareness that yield does not have to be sacrificed to achieve high-quality soybeans.

Sustainability

• Taking care of today’s needs while ensuring future generations can take care of their needs.

• Sustainability focuses on:• Economic• Environmental• Social

Checkoff Investment Goal: Help farmers accept and employ sustainable production practices.

Sustainability

• National Sustainable Soybean Initiative

• Two-part survey to quantify and assess sustainability

• www.coolbean.info

• Keystone Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture

• Fieldprint Calculator measures agronomic practices

• www.fieldtomarket.org/fieldprint-calculator/

Help farmers understand growing interest worldwide in measuring sustainability on the farm.

Sustainability• Consumers, food companies

and others asking about sustainable practices in use by input suppliers.

• Farmers employ sustainable farming practices, and may be required to measure energy, water and land use.

• Help farmers tell their sustainable production stories.

Raise awareness of global sustainability trends.

Market Access/Advocacy

• Maintain and expand Illinois farmer economic viability and global competitive position.

• Collaborate with stakeholders and other partners within the U.S. and internationally.

• Monitor biotechnology issues to keep soybean pathways open.

Checkoff and Grower Dollar Investment Goal: Maintain current markets, open new markets and advocate for equitable public policies and freedom to operate.

Market Access/Advocacy

• Assist foreign buyers with soybean meal and oil purchases.

• Host farm tours for more than 30 trade teams each year.

• Facilitate transportation to get specific varieties to buyers worldwide.

Meet international demand by maintaining and opening markets for high-quality soybeans and products.

Market Access/Advocacy

• Use soybean grower member dollars to pursue favorable state and national legislation based on grassroots input.

• Lobby for issues that affect soybean industry profitability, such as free trade agreements and the farm bill.

• Fund advocacy efforts outside of the soybean checkoff with dues and generous support from business partners.

• Work with corporate partners and others to communicate the benefits and value of biotechnology to feeding the world.

Advocate for favorable policies and freedom to operate.

Market Access/Advocacy

• Track legislative issues online to share opinions about state and federal legislation that affects Illinois agriculture.

• Provides one-stop shop for farmers to quickly and effectively connect with specific legislators.

• www.voiceforsoy.org

Promote use of Legislative Action Center – Voice for Soy

Aquaculture

• Invest in opportunities to develop a robust aquaculture industry.

• Provide a source of healthy, efficient, renewable and affordable feed.

Checkoff investment goal: Increase worldwide aquaculture consumption of Illinois soybeans and products.

Aquaculture

• Replace fishmeal in feed rations as a highly digestible protein source for many species.

• Work internationally and domestically on sustainable production.

• Continue development of cutting-edge open ocean aquaculture technology named one of Time’s 50 Best Inventions of 2012.

Raise consumer awareness of aquaculture’s role as a sustainable solution to meet demand for fish.

Industrial Uses

• Build awareness and understanding for biodiesel benefits, including tax incentives.

• Build demand for biodiesel among all Illinois audiences.

Checkoff Investment Goal: Increase domestic industrial consumption of Illinois soybeans and products.

Industrial Uses

• Biodiesel industry enhances Illinois economy, jobs and GDP.

• Biodiesel meets definition of an advanced biofuel and contributes to domestic energy security.

• Biodiesel reduces greenhouse gases by 50 percent and offers other environmental benefits.

Build awareness and understanding for biodiesel benefits.

Industrial Uses

• Growing the market for soybean oil increases availability of protein-rich meal for livestock and human consumption.

Build demand for biodiesel among prospective users.

• Provide biodiesel training for diesel mechanic technicians at community colleges increases familiarity and use.

• Update biodiesel campaign to reflect industry changes and educate influencers.

Image Building

• Develop industry leaders.• Support crop sciences

college students.• Show consumers how

food is grown.• Educate students,

teachers and consumers about agriculture.

Checkoff Investment Goal: Improve the soybean industry’s image and build coalitions with key stakeholders.

Image Building

• Engage with consumers to show them how we grow safe, healthy food.

– Field Moms

– Outreach events

– www.watchusgrow.org

– Social media

Support Illinois Farm Families’ efforts to improve consumer perceptions of farming.

Image Building

• $195,000 for Illinois Farm Families• $30,000 for Illinois Ag in the Classroom• $40,000 for ISA Crop Sciences Scholarships, managed by

the IAA Foundation• $45,000 for Illinois Livestock Development Group• $100,000 for annual FoodPlay program• $48,000 for educational materials

ISA invests in joint outreach projects with Illinois Farm Bureau and other ag groups, including:

Producer Communications

• Illinois Field & Bean magazine• Illinois Farmer Leader newsletter• ISA website, www.ilsoy.org• Weekly Update• Social media• Media relations• Events and farm shows

Checkoff Investment Goal: Use various tools to inform Illinois farmers about checkoff-funded programs and results.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

WWW.ILSOY.ORG

309-663-7692

1605 Commerce ParkwayBloomington, IL 61704