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

World Soy Foundation Acre Challenge Update
NCSPA Elects Officers, Holds Membership Recruitment Drive At Board Meeting
America’s Heartland Soy Segments Now On YouTube
NBB Formally Responds To European Commission Duties On U.S Biodiesel
USDA Expects Total Soybean Acres Planted To Be On Par With Last Year
Survey Shows 68 Percent Of Health Professions Support Biotech Use In Food
Soyfoods Month Highlights Healthy And Inexpensive Soyfoods Options

Vilsack Writes EPA Administrator On NCC vs. EPA; ASA Joins Amicus Brief
Chairman Bobby Rush Places Priority On Export Promotion Programs
Cuba Restrictions Get Renewed Attention
Krysta Harden Named USDA Assistant Secretary For Congressional Relations

ASA-IM Promotes Soy At Southeast Asia’s Largest Poultry And Livestock Expo
Moroccan Dairy Sector Moves Forward With U.S. Soy
Korean Broilers Prefer U.S. Hi-pro Dehulled Soybean Meal

This week on the Soy Radio Newsline listen to comments from ASA Executive Committee member Steve Wellman, as he comments on the lack of convergence between cash values and futures prices in the soybean market. Wellman was nominated by ASA to serve on the CFTC's new Subcommittee on Convergence in Agricultural Commodity Markets. This report may be heard on SoyGrowers.com.

AT-A-
GLANCE

CBOT Futures 04/01/09

FAS Worldwide Weekly Sales Report as of 03/26/09
(1000 Metric Tons | Million Bushels or Pounds)

Settle

Net Change

This Week

Year Ago

% Change

SoyBeans

(09May) 952.0

Unch

25,143.5

9238

22,716.0

8346

+107

SoyMeal

(09May) 294.3

-1.0

3,645.1

8,019

3,917.4

8,618

-6.9

SoyOil

(09May) 33.50

-0.12

2647

582

6497

1,429

-593

NCSPA Elects Officers, Holds Membership Recruitment Drive At Board Meeting   The North Carolina Soybean Producers Association (NCSPA) elected Bobby Joe Fisher as president during their annual meeting in January. Fisher is a retired tobacco warehouse operator and farmer and previously served as the association’s vice president in 2007 and 2008. In addition to Fisher, North Carolina soybean producers elected state membership chair Jimmy Thomas as vice president and Bernard Lennon as secretary. Immediate NCSPA past president Jacob Parker will serve as treasurer. Soybean producers also elected five new directors to serve on NCSPA’s 30-member board: Lon Beasley, Glen Ipock, Carrol Mitchem, Phillip McLain, Travis Starnes and Jeff Tyson. Also during the Board meeting, NCSPA held a membership drive that resulted in 30 new American Soybean Association (ASA) members. At a special reception for recruiters and members, top recruiter Bert Dixon received top honors and took home a Stihl Farmboss chainsaw. Spurgeon Foster was chosen at random from ASA members in the audience to win a new Remington 760 shotgun. Thomas was pleased with the outcome, saying, "We need to do more to recognize our members and to recruit new members."

America’s Heartland Soy Segments Now On YouTube   Now in its fourth season, America’s Heartland has set up a YouTube account to share the story of American agriculture with a new generation of Internet savvy viewers. The show producers are also setting up commodity-specific modules for the promotional partners. Access the soy module, which features six reports, at www.soygrowers.com/resources/. In the 84 half-hour episodes produced throughout its first four seasons, America's Heartland reporters and crews have brought in stories from all across our great nation. Season 4 completed the show’s first "tour" of all 50 states. All across the U.S, the show has discovered unforgettable people and places in the world of agriculture. Back in 2005, the show opened its first episode with the line "America's heartland is more than a place; it's a state of mind." More than 300 stories later, it's still true. Providing food, feed, fuel and fiber for America and the world is an act of passion on the part of our farmers and ranchers big or small, mainstream or specialized. In season four, viewers will learn even more about how ag producers provide their rich bounty. And, season 4 will be the first produced entirely in High Definition! America’s Heartland is a magazine-style, half-hour series produced by KVIE, Sacramento, in digital widescreen format. Sponsors are the Monsanto Company and the American Farm Bureau Federation. Additional production and promotion assistance is provided by the American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Cotton Council, United Soybean Board, U.S. Grains Council, National Association of Wheat Growers, and the National FFA Organization.

NBB Formally Responds To European Commission Duties On U.S. Biodiesel   The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) submitted formal written comments on April 1, in response to the European Commission’s (EC) decision to impose provisional antidumping (AD) and countervailing duties (CVD) on U.S. biodiesel entering the European Union (EU). The NBB’s comments illustrate the significant procedural and factual shortcomings in the EC’s provisional ruling. "The comments we have filed highlight that arbitrary procedural conclusions and inaccurate market assumptions were used by the EC as the basis for imposing provisional duties on U.S. biodiesel," said Manning Feraci, NBB’s Vice President for Federal Affairs. "The rationale used to impose AD and CVD duties – which clearly benefit the interests of European biodiesel producers – runs afoul of the EU’s World Trade Organization commitments." The NBB’s comments illustrate that the European industry has not been harmed by U.S. competition, a fundamental fact that must be proven before duties can be finalized later this year. The comments also note the faulty procedural assumptions that are utilized in the EC’s ruling, specifically relating to the arbitrary decision to change the definition of the product under investigation. In addition, the provisional ruling also appears to omit key information from significant EU biodiesel producers that would be detrimental to the European Biodiesel Board’s claims in the investigations. Strikingly, the EU producers that are alleging harm in the complaints have increased their market share by 5.8 percent and posted a 5.7 percent profit, which is quite healthy by industry standards.

USDA Expects Total Soybean Acres Planted To Be On Par With Last Year   The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) expects that the total area planted to soybeans nationwide will hold steady in 2009, but that the area planted to principal crops will decline by nearly 7.8 million acres, according to the Prospective Plantings report released March 31, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Farmers indicated their intention to plant 76 million acres to soybeans in 2009. If realized, this would be the largest planted area on record, just ahead of the 75.5 million acres planted last year. Increases of 100,000 acres or more are expected in Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina and North Dakota. The largest decreases in soybean acres are expected in Missouri and South Dakota, both down 150,000 acres from 2008. Nationwide, NASS expects the total area planted to principal crops to decline by approximately 7.8 million acres, or 2.4 percent, from last year. The Prospective Plantings report provides the first official survey-based estimate of U.S. farmers’ planting intentions for 2009. NASS surveyed approximately 86,000 farm operators from across the U.S. during the first two weeks of March. All NASS reports are available online at www.nass.usda.gov.

Survey Shows 68 Percent Of Health Professions Support Biotech Use In Food   Recent research revealed that 82 percent of healthcare professionals believe soy to be beneficial to the diet. Also, the majority recognizes agricultural biotechnology as a method to make food products such as soyfoods even healthier. These findings come from the Healthcare Professional Biotechnology Awareness & Attitude Survey, conducted by an independent research firm in January 2009. The study found that 68 percent of healthcare professionals report having an overall favorable view of agricultural biotechnology for use in food products. When informed that biotechnology can be used to enhance soybeans in precise ways, the majority of survey respondents found these developments impressive enough that they would recommend increased soyfood consumption to patients. The survey was a sample of 200 dietitians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. The American Dietetic Association (ADA) firmly supports the use of biotechnology in food production when used to enhance the quality, safety and nutritional value of food. In its position statement published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, ADA encourages the availability of these products in the marketplace.

Soyfoods Month Highlights Healthy And Inexpensive Soyfoods Options   In tough economic times, grocery shoppers want the biggest bang for their buck. Soyfoods help save money, while providing high quality protein without cholesterol and low levels of saturated fat. During April, Soyfoods Month, several Soyfoods Association of North America (SANA) members are offering coupons and discounts on a variety of tasty soyfoods to help ease the stress on grocery budgets. Protein and nutrient-rich soyfoods can replace other protein foods higher in saturated fat and cholesterol in the diet to help consumers practice good nutrition. Money-smart soyfoods also help consumers gain health without spending a fortune. A large variety of tasty soyfoods appear on the shelves of supermarkets nationwide. "Soyfoods generally contain significant amounts of key nutrients that Americans are advised to consume more of, and are low in nutrients that Americans should avoid," said Julie Obbagy, Vice President of Scientific Affairs for SANA. For example, fortified soymilk, the most popular soy product consumed by Americans, is a high source of calcium and vitamin D, a good source of vitamin A, and also provides high quality protein, iron and potassium. Whole soybeans, or edamame, are high sources of fiber, magnesium, potassium and calcium, all nutrients Americans generally lack in their diets. Soyfoods lack or have reduced amounts of several of nutrients which are in excess in American diets such as cholesterol, saturated fat and calories. Learn more about Soyfoods Month.

Vilsack Writes EPA Administrator On NCC vs. EPA; ASA Joins Amicus Brief   In anticipation of an April 9, 2009, decision, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has asked Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson to weigh in on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s behalf in the lawsuit. In January, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals invalidated the EPA’s rule regarding application of pesticides to water. In the lawsuit (NCC vs. EPA), the court agreed with EPA that chemical pesticides applied directly to water to perform a useful purpose are not chemical wastes, but it held that excess pesticides and pesticide residue meet the common definition of waste, and therefore are pollutants under the Clean Water Act (CWA). In his letter to Jackson, Vilsack wrote, "The panel’s ruling effectively broadens the potential application of the CWA to reach agricultural activities that the EPA has never regulated under the provisions of the CWA… Failure to obtain a timely permit for pesticide application could cripple American farmers’ emergency pest management efforts and hamper their ability to respond quickly to new pest infestations or threats of infestations, thus increasing the risk of crop losses." On April 9, the Sixth Circuit will rule on a petition for rehearing by the full court. EPA has not taken a position on the case. The American Soybean Association (ASA) continues to closely monitor the case, which could have serious ramifications for farmers. In early April, a "friend of the court" amicus brief will be filed in the case, with ASA joining other groups in support of the petition for rehearing.

Chairman Bobby Rush Places Priority On Export Promotion Programs   During a hearing held by the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, Chairman Bobby Rush said, "I strongly believe that, if we are serious about lowering our trade deficit and creating more jobs for Americans, export promotion must be a national priority… The U.S. export promotion program agencies need to be provided with the resources that are needed to design a long-term, ambitious agenda for sustaining exports and opening new markets for U.S. products, especially in emerging and new markets." The hearing examined the role of exports in US. economic growth, the impact of federally sponsored export promotion programs and the assistance available to help U.S. businesses expand markets for U.S. products. Witnesses included representatives from the Department of Commerce, the Government Accountability Office, the National Association of Manufacturers and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Suzanne Hale, Acting Administrator of the Foreign Agricultural Service, represented the Department of Agriculture. During her testimony, Hale highlighted the work the Foreign Agricultural Service does, including expanding market access and addressing trade issues. She gave examples of the use of the market access program, the Foreign Market Development program, Export Credit Guarantees, the Quality Samples Program and the Emerging Market Program. "U.S. agricultural trade means jobs both on and off the farm," said Hale. "Transporting agricultural products to overseas markets means employment for U.S. transportation and port workers. The ripple effect is enormous."

Cuba Restrictions Get Renewed Attention   Senators Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and Michael Enzi (R-WY) publicly introduced S. 428, a bill that would lift travel restrictions from Cuba, on March 31, 2009. "We allow Americans to travel to Communist China and we allow Americans to travel to Communist Vietnam, because we believe engagement with trade and travel is the best way to promote democracy and open up those countries," said Dorgan. "But, our policy with Cuba punishes Americans by prohibiting their right to travel. Further, this policy has done nothing to weaken the Castro regime. It’s long past the time to change this ill-advised policy." The U.S. embargo on Cuba has been in place for 50 years. The embargo keeps Americans from traveling and selling products to Cuba. In 2000, a law was passed that allowed agricultural and medical supplies to be sold to Cuba as long as they were paid by cash in advance. Under that program the U.S. sold $710 million worth of soybeans, wheat, poultry and other agricultural goods to Cuba in 2008. This year, the omnibus spending bill eased some of the restrictions regarding travel by Cuban Americans and remittances sent home. However, the Department of Treasury stated that agricultural sales policy will remain the same. The agricultural community is now hoping that if this travel legislation moves forward, changes can be made to the import policies for agriculture as well.

Krysta Harden Named USDA Assistant Secretary For Congressional Relations   Former American Soybean Association (ASA) Washington, D.C. representative Krysta Harden has been nominated by President Barack Obama as Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Harden comes to USDA from the National Association of Conservation Districts, where she has served as Chief Executive Officer for the past five years. Previously, she was Senior Vice President of Gordley Associates, ASA’s contract firm for federal government relations in Washington. In that capacity, Harden worked closely for 11 years with ASA’s staff, Board of Directors and state affiliates on energy, conservation and environmental issues. She led successful efforts to make biodiesel eligible under the Energy Policy Act and to establish the current biodiesel tax incentive. She also oversaw ASA’s work to obtain the health claim for soy protein and to develop a comprehensive conservation stewardship manual for soybean farmers. Harden previously held several positions on Capitol Hill, including as a professional staff member for the House Agriculture Committee and as chief of staff for former House member Charles Hatcher. ASA congratulates Harden on her nomination and looks forward to her confirmation and working with her at USDA.

ASA-IM Promotes Soy At Southeast Asia’s Largest Poultry And Livestock Expo   American Soybean Association International Marketing (ASA-IM) Southeast Asia participated in the largest poultry and livestock exhibition and conference in Asia, VIV Asia 2009, in Thailand. The expo drew over 20,000 participants from 39 countries. Over 570 exhibitors showcased various international feeds, feed ingredients, feed additives, and farm and feed manufacturing equipment in 10 exhibition halls. Through a seminar featuring 70 presentations, the expo examined how the Asian livestock industry could cope with the current world economic crisis. For the first time, VIV Asia featured "Aqua VIV Asia" with a special exhibition and seminar. This addition demonstrates the importance of the growing aquaculture industry in the Asia-Pacific region. Novus International invited ASA-IM Technical Director-Aquaculture Lukas Manomaitis and ASA-IM Consultant Tim O’Keefe to speak at its seminar on aquaculture feed and nutrition. Manomaitis presented "Protecting Your Customer Base – Feedmills Training Farmers About Feeds" and O’Keefe led a discussion on "Cost-Effective Feed Formulations In Challenging Economic Times." ASA-IM Regional Technical Director-Animal Nutrition Salim Bootwalla and ASA-IM Thailand Country Manager Opas Supamornpun also represented the council during the event. VIV Asia 2009 provided an excellent platform for the ASA-IM Southeast Asia team to interact with feed and livestock industry representatives and academia from various institutions in the region.

Moroccan Dairy Sector Moves Forward With U.S. Soy   American Soybean Association International Marketing (ASA-IM) Middle East and Africa (MEA) organized dairy nutrition and management workshops in Morocco to update leading dairy nutritionists and managers on the latest nutritional concepts. As the dairy sector in Morocco continues its rapid expansion, incorporation of current industry advancements increases both productivity and soy inclusion. Two of the world’s leading experts in this field, Charles Stallings from Virginia State University and Alex Bach from Barcelona, Spain, presented techniques for improved productivity through enhanced nutrition and better herd management. ASA-IM MEA efforts to improve dairy technology and increase the use of U.S. soy in the Moroccan dairy industry have led to the establishment of several large producers using up to 6.6 pounds of U.S. soybean meal per head daily.

Korean Broilers Prefer U.S. Hi-pro Dehulled Soybean Meal   American Soybean Association International Marketing (ASA-IM) Korea Technical Program Managing Director Hyung Suk Lee promoted the economic value of U.S. Hi-pro dehulled soybean meal at the feed mills of two broiler integrators, Dongwoo and Cherrybro, in Southwestern Korea who together consume 556,680 bushels monthly. Additional feed mills in this region consume an estimated 1.8 million bushels of soybean meal monthly. If the two industry leaders in this area use U.S. Hi-pro dehulled soybean meal, ASA-IM Korea will create a feeding standard that affects U.S. soybean meal use throughout the region. The one-on-one consultations focused on the economic benefits of feeding U.S. Hi-pro dehulled soybean meal to broilers as compared to the non-dehulled soybean meal of South American and Indian origins. Both Dongwoo and Cherrybro now have an established preference for U.S. Hi-pro dehulled soybean meal based upon ASA-IM Korea’s marketing and technical services.

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.