Complete Story
01/27/2010
Ohio Soybean Council Proud of Gainful 2009
Contact: Jamie Butts
Ohio Soybean Council
614.476.3100
jbutts@soyohio.org
NEWS RELEASE
Jan. 27, 2010
Ohio Soybean Council proud of gainful 2009
Checkoff dollars supported multifaceted soybean advancements
WORTHINGTON, Ohio - The Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) and the soybean checkoff improved profitability and awareness of the industry using a variety of research and development, marketing, promotion and educational efforts in 2009. These efforts to advance the soybean industry are helping Ohio's 26,000 soybean farmers remain viable in an increasingly competitive industry.
OSC also thanks its sister organization, the Ohio Soybean Association (OSA), for its legislative representation of Ohio's soybean farmers in 2009.
Below are some significant examples of OSC's success in 2009:
- Soybean research: Researchers from The Ohio State University and its Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) continued its work in testing new soybean varieties with enhanced yield potential and pest- and disease-resistances. OARDC entomologists also studied Ohio aphid genetics and tested aphid-resistant traits in soybean varieties, as this pest continues to threaten Ohio's soybean crop.
- New bioproducts: OSC continued work to develop a variety of new, environmentally-friendly products made from soybeans and soybean byproducts. Thanks to the relationship OSC has with Battelle (a world-renowned research and development organization located in Columbus, Ohio) one of its biggest commercial successes was realized in 2009 with soy-based toner becoming available in the consumer market. Progress also continues in the development and commercialization of soy-based lubricants, plasticizers, polyols and powder coatings for a wide variety of industrial and consumer uses.
- Awards for innovation: OSC's efforts in the development of new bioproducts was recognized nationally in 2009 when OSC, in collaboration with Battelle and Univenture (a design and manufacturing company in Marysville, Ohio), was awarded its fifth R&D 100 Award for the development of a soy meal-based polymer. Only the top 100 innovations of the year receive this honor.
- Promotion of bioproducts: In addition to its work to research and develop bioproducts, OSC launched a new initiative in 2009 to promote bioproducts already available in the consumer market. The first phase of this initiative was the creation of a Web site (www.soyinside.org) that encourages consumers to "go green" by purchasing bioproducts made from agriculturally derived, renewable resources such as soybeans. And thanks to the legislative efforts of OSA, Senate Bill 131 will establish an Ohio BioPreferred purchasing program that requires state entities to give purchasing preferences to bioproducts if those products are comparable in price, performance and availability-further increasing the demand for Ohio soybeans.
- Soy biodiesel: OSC works hard to educate farmers, consumers and fleets about using soy biodiesel, a clean-burning, renewable fuel made primarily from soybeans. OSA has also been working hard on the legislative end of a grassroots effort that focuses on the expiration of a $1-per-gallon tax credit. This tax-credit has helped to increase domestic production and use of biodiesel, and expiration of it is threatening a viable market for soybean farmers. It is the hope of the industry that the tax-credit will be extended this year.
- Soybean oil: The Soy Oil Ohio (SOO) initiative, established by OSC in 2008, promotes the use of healthier cooking oil processed from new soybean varieties, including oil that is zero trans-fat. This past year, SOO conducted research with Ohio restaurants to find out more about their use of cooking oil so that the initiative could better promote healthier soybean oil. SOO also worked to encourage farmers to grow the new, healthier varieties that offer a premium opportunity.
- Animal agriculture: Through education and promotion, OSC continued its work this past year to support Ohio soybean farmers' largest consumer of soybean meal-livestock and poultry farmers. Due to the work of OSA and other commodity and farm organizations, State Issue 2 was passed by Ohio voters to establish the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board, which will help to ensure a safe, affordable food supply for consumers.
- Farmers Feed US: In an effort to educate consumers about the connection between the farm and the grocery store, OSC and several other commodity organizations joined together to offer Ohio consumers a chance to win free groceries for an entire year. Using a highly interactive Web site (www.FarmersFeedUS.org), Ohio beef, dairy, pork, lamb, soybean, egg and turkey farmers shared information and fun facts about their farms and families to Web site visitors as they registered to be one of three sweepstakes winners. On the heels of Ohio's success, numerous other states have also launched similar campaigns.
- International marketing: OSC also recognized the significance of animal agriculture on an international scale in 2009. In partnership with the U.S. Meat Export Federation and the U.S.A. Poultry and Egg Export Council, OSC promoted the exports of U.S. livestock and poultry to buyers in Asia and Mexico in an effort to increase demand for domestic soybean meal. Additionally, OSC also promoted the exports of whole soybeans, soybean meal and soybean oil to international customers through both bulk and containerized shipping methods. Due to its outstanding international marketing efforts, OSC received its third Governor's Excellence in Exporting Award in 2009 as well.
- Transportation and logistics: OSC engaged the entire Ohio soybean industry value chain last year when it hosted several forums about transportation/logistics topics affecting soybean profitability. OSC identified competitive advantages for Ohio farmers, including new intermodal facilities and enhanced rail networks being constructed by CSX and Norfolk Southern, which will allow for more efficient shipping from Ohio to East Coast ports.
- Ohio Soy 2020: OSC, in partnership with the United Soybean Board, hosted a successful Ohio Soy 2020 forum in August focusing on the future of bioproducts in Ohio and bringing together a wide variety of industry stakeholders. This initiative stemmed from the national Soy 2020 initiative, which addresses new opportunities and challenges for the industry at large. Ohio was the first state to bring this initiative to the state level to specifically analyze the unprecedented growth of the Ohio food, agriculture and renewable-energy industries and how this will impact Ohio's soybean industry during the next 10 years.
OSC is proud of its efforts in 2009 and looks forward to a promising 2010 as it continues to ensure the vitality of the Ohio soybean industry.
About the Ohio Soybean Council
Headquartered in Worthington, the Ohio Soybean Council is governed by a 17-member volunteer farmer board, which directs the Soybean Promotion and Research Program. The program's primary goal is to improve soybean profitability by targeting research and development projects using the investment of farmer-contributed funds. For more information: www.soyohio.org.
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