The American Soybean Association is "your advocate" in Washington, and is powered by the grassroots support of 22,000 members and 25 state affiliates. 

This ASA Weekly Leader Letter Is Brought to You by BASF.

ASA And BASF Encourage Growers To Sign Up For 2009 SOY Challenge
States Voice Support For ASA As Sole National Policy Organization
ASA Membership Department Recognizes Leading Recruiters
Farmers from 11 States And ASA Board Answer The Call To Fight Hunger

ASA Leaders Meet With Ag Secretary Vilsack
ASA Comments On NIFA Implementation
Producers Wonder If ACRE Program Is Right For Them
Nutrition Programs Receive Most USDA Funding In Stimulus Bill

Healthier Oils, Healthier Future
Standing Guard Against Rust
A Map For Soybean Research

Soy-Based Chicken Feeds Fetch A Premium
Demand For Full Fat Soybean Meal Increases In Vietnam
Fellowship Project Supports Ongoing Aquaculture Efforts
Women-In-Soy Program Kicks Off In Bangladesh
ASA-IM Taiwan Helps Poultry Industry Guard Against Avian Influenza

This week on the Soy Radio Newsline listen to comments from ASA President Johnny Dodson about his meeting yesterday with Tom Vilsack, the new Secretary of Agriculture. This report may be heard on SoyGrowers.com.

AT-A-
GLANCE

CBOT Futures 02/18/09

FAS Worldwide Weekly Sales Report as of 02/05/09
(1000 Metric Tons | Million Bushels or Pounds)

Settle

Net Change

This Week

Year Ago

% Change

SoyBeans

(09Mar) 887.4

-154

19,464.5

7151

17,140.3

6297

+136

SoyMeal

(09Mar) 277.4

-6.1

2,581.7

5,680

2,734.8

6,017

-5.6

SoyOil

(09Mar) 30.42

-0.73

1625

358

3505

771

-536

ASA And BASF Encourage Growers To Sign Up For 2009 SOY Challenge   The American Soybean Association (ASA) and BASF Corporation are encouraging U.S soybean producers to sign up for the 2009 Secure Optimal Yield (SOY) Challenge. The SOY program provides an opportunity for growers to use enhanced crop-management technology and techniques to maximize yield and profitability in soybeans In addition to the one post application of glyphosate routinely used on Roundup Ready® soybeans, SOY program test acres are to be treated with a burndown application that includes a BASF residual herbicide plus one application of Headline® fungicide at R2-R3. The 2009 program will again provide a free one-year ASA membership (new or renewal) for all growers who sign up to participate in the field trials. Growers who enroll, participate in three online training modules and submit field trial results will also receive a $200 Cabela’s Gift Card. On top of that, growers who submit a "success story" about their experience with the SOY Challenge will be eligible to win prizes that include a 2010 Dodge truck, $2,000 cash and trip to the 2010 Commodity Classic in Anaheim. Complete contest rules and the field trials sign up form are now available at www.SoyGrowers.com/SOY. Online video interviews with growers who participated in the SOY program last year also have been added recently. The sign up deadline is March 13, 2009.

States Voice Support For ASA As Sole National Policy Organization   The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) passed the following motion Feb. 5: ISA Board of Directors recognizes the American Soybean Association as the sole national policy representative for the American soybean farmer and continues our support for the national checkoff and the United Soybean Board. Although each has a separate function and separate regulatory oversight, we expect both of these national organizations to work together harmoniously. If these two national boards are not willing or are unable to work together, we will work diligently to implement what ever changes are necessary to assure that we have programs that will address needs and issues that affect soybean farmers’ productivity and profitability. "We support ASA as the sole policy voice," said ISA Chairman David Hartke. "ASA has got a great history in Washington, D.C. It’s a national and worldwide recognized group and it would be foolish of our Board to look somewhere else. You don’t throw away that much history without trying to work through the problems." At a Board of Directors meeting following the annual meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Soybean Association on Jan. 8, the directors "reaffirmed the Mid-Atlantic Soybean Association’s support of the American Soybean Association as the single national lobbying organization for soybean farmers." Mid-Atlantic President Richard Wilkins commented that "We do want to support the fact that the ASA has been in existence since 1920 and it’s certainly one of the oldest agricultural trade and policy advocacy organizations in America. We also support the need for checkoff driven organizations and I really think that this resolution that Illinois recently passed also embodies the feelings of the Mid-Atlantic Soybean Association members… But it’s of high importance for the ASA and the United Soybean Board and the U.S. Soybean Export Council to be able to work together for the ultimate goals of increasing the success of the American soybean industry."

ASA Membership Department Recognizes Leading Recruiters   The following American Soybean Association (ASA) membership recruiters currently lead their category for FY09. Level 1 states (1000+ members): Robert Nelsen (Minn.) 43 Recruits, Earl Brandt (Iowa) 24 Recruits, Richard Bartek (Neb), 12 recruits. Level 2 states (300-999 members): Scott Hendrickson (Kan.) 72 recruits, Maynard Flatt (N.D.) 41 recruits, Elbert Dixon (N.C.) 14 recruits. Level 3 states (150–299 members): Johnny Dodson (Tenn.) 2 recruits, Mac Eaddy (S.C.) 2 recruits and Mike Holman (Tenn.) 3 recruits. Top recruiters for the month of January in each level are Robert Nelson (Level 1) 7 recruits, Maynard Flatt (Level 2) 28 recruits and Johnny Dodson (Level 3) 2 recruits. All ASA members are encouraged to recruit new members to ASA and their state soybean associations. In addition to helping build strong organizations, recruiters can earn valuable rewards from Cabela’s through the ASA Recruiter Rewards Program. Members interested in becoming a recruiter should contact ASA Manager of Membership and State Relations Rita Hiscocks at 800-688-7692, ext. 1300 to obtain a Recruiter Kit.

Farmers from 11 States And ASA Board Answer The Call To Fight Hunger   The American Soybean Association’s (ASA) World Soy Foundation (WSF) Acre Challenge Campaign is quickly gaining momentum across the country, thanks to individual soybean growers who are pledging the value of an acre of soybeans toward the campaign. "Acre Challenge is a uniquely exciting way for farmers to support sustainable nutrition. These early acre donations, like seed planted in the spring, will yield a bountiful harvest for malnourished people around the world," said Jared Hagert, member of the North Dakota Soybean Council. To date, and in addition to pledges from the ASA Board, farmers from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee and Wisconsin have pledged the value of a minimum of one acre of soybeans to the Acre Challenge Campaign. It is not too late to pledge the value of an acre of soybeans. Farmers can also visit the WSF booth, 917, at Commodity Classic this year to pledge or hear more about the Acre Challenge effort. Acre Challenge donors will get "campaign ribbons" at Commodity Classic

ASA Comments On NIFA Implementation   The American Soybean Association (ASA) has joined William H. Danforth, of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, and the American Veterinary Medical Association in providing comments on the establishment of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) The 2008 Farm Bill reconstituted the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) into this Institute, with a goal of increasing the standing and visibility of USDA's extramural science programs. "Agriculture research funding has tumbled the past 25 years when measured against other leading federal research agencies," the comments state, because "policymakers and budget writers simply lacked confidence in USDA’s ability to manage cutting-edge research… This Institute must be managed separately from the old models of the past so as to develop a new culture and methods of operation. It must be assembled carefully and it starts at the top with the appointment of a distinguished scientist as the first Director." The Institute’s Director will assume leadership of the Institute effective Oct. 1, 2009. ASA will continue to monitor the implementation of the Institute and selection of the Director.

Producers Wonder If ACRE Program Is Right For Them   Since the passage of the 2008 Farm Bill, producers have been debating whether they should sign up for the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program that was a part of the legislation. Beginning with the 2009 crop year, producers can sign up for this optional, revenue-based counter-cyclical program, which is an alternative to receiving counter-cyclical payments (CCPs). However, participation in ACRE reduces direct payments and lower marketing assistance loan rates. "ASA urges all soybean producers to examine the ACRE Program carefully in deciding which safety net best serves to protect their farm income," said ASA President Johnny Dodson. Producers can enroll in ACRE any year during crop years 2009-12. A producer must enroll all covered commodities for a participating farm Upon enrollment, the farm is enrolled in ACRE for the remainder of the 2008 Farm Bill, which ends with crop year 2012. The ACRE Program provides participating producers a revenue guarantee each year based on market prices and average yields for the respective commodities. The guarantee is based on State-level planted yields and national market prices, but payments are dependent upon State- and farm-level planted yields and national market prices. New programs always bring with them new questions and in an effort to assist producers with ACRE questions, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service website at www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/FarmPolicy/ACRE.htm explains ACRE payment triggers, definitions, payment calculations and other provisions.

Nutrition Programs Receive Most USDA Funding In Stimulus Bill   The majority of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) money in the economic stimulus bill will go to boost nutrition programs, with $19.9 billion to provide a temporary increase in food stamps for 31 million families, $400 million for the Women, Infants and Children’s Program, and $150 million for the Emergency Food Assistance Program, which buys commodities for food banks and institutions. Those provisions were largely unchanged from the House version. But USDA got only a down payment of $50 million to upgrade the USDA Farm Service Agency computer system, down from the $245 million in the original House bill. The bill provides a total of $7.2 billion for broadband expansion, with $2.5 billion going to the USDA Rural Utilities Service for grants, loans and loan guarantees and $4.7 billion to the Commerce Department National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Rural states are expected to benefit from the NTIA money, particularly from its plan to develop the first comprehensive mapping of broadband availability throughout the country. USDA also got $1.38 billion for rural water and waste disposal, $200 million to support loans and loan guarantees for rural housing assistance, $130 million for community facilities, $150 million to support business loan guarantees and $290 million for flood prevention efforts.

Demand For Full Fat Soybean Meal Increases In Vietnam   After five years of full fat soybean meal (FFSBM) promotion, American Soybean Association International Marketing (ASA-IM) Vietnam Country Manager Tran Trong Chien estimates that more than 50 extruders in the country produce FFSBM for both on-farm use and commercial sale. Many animal rations include FFSBM. In feed for piglets, inclusion rates average 20 percent. ASA-IM Vietnam promotion of high protein energy blocks for ruminants, such as cattle and goats, further increased FFSBM use and consequent demand for U.S. soybeans. FFSBM use in Vietnam reached approximately 3.6 million bushels in 2008, an increase of 2.9 million bushels from usage in 2003. This increased exports of U.S. soybeans to Vietnam valued at $28 million in 2008, up 500 percent in five years.

Women-In-Soy Program Kicks Off In Bangladesh   American Soybean Association International Marketing (ASA-IM), under the Women-in-Soy banner, inaugurated a specialized and collaborative program in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, to increase active participation among female entrepreneurs in setting up and operating soyfood processing operations. Nasreen Awal Mintoo, President of the Women Entrepreneurs’ Association of Bangladesh (WEAB), and Jon F. Danilowicz of the U.S. Embassy spoke during the program. Following the presentations, ASA-IM hosted a seminar on "Soy Food Processing Industries for Women Entrepreneurs." About 130 WEAB, National Association of Small & Cottage Industries of Bangladesh and Small Enterprises Foundation members attended. Currently, most Bangladeshis only recognize soybeans as a source of quality cooking oil and not as an economical protein supply. The Women-in-Soy Program, which includes a group of female farmer-leaders serving on the board of the American Soybean Association and United Soybean Board, seeks to improve both health and the economic status of women globally through promoting soy-based businesses. Through this project, ASA-IM aims to popularize U.S. soyfood products in Bangladesh while providing female Bangladeshis with a new avenue for investment. ASA-IM supports soyfood entrepreneurship in Bangladesh by providing technical training and marketing support.

ASA-IM Taiwan Helps Poultry Industry Guard Against Avian Influenza   Poultry industry leaders met with American Soybean Association International Marketing (ASA-IM) Taiwan staff to review results from ASA-IM’s poultry disease seminar for poultry industry producers and veterinarians. Seminar organizer Tony Shih reported that participants started using the biosecurity measures suggested by technicians for preventing the invasion of the bird flu. In minimizing the risk of an Avian Influenza outbreak, ASA-IM seeks to maintain the current level of soybean meal consumption. During the meeting, Taiwanese poultry industry leaders requested that ASA-IM continue providing information focusing on supply and demand situations linked with U.S. soybeans and the Taiwanese poultry industry. Recently, poultry production costs decreased 15 percent due to a drop in soybean meal costs, but local producers did not profit equally, as market prices for poultry products remained depressed. In 2008, Taiwan imported the equivalent of more than 63 million bushels of U.S. soybeans, many of which supplied the nation’s poultry industry.

The activities of the U.S. Soybean Export Council to expand international markets for U.S. soybeans and products are made possible through the American Soybean Association’s investment of cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, support from cooperating industry, and by producer checkoff dollars invested by the United Soybean Board and various State Soybean Councils.