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South Dakota Ag News Headlines
Merger Discussions, Elections Push Soy Checkoff into 2017
South Dakota Ag Connection - 12/09/2016

Navigating profitability through challenging times. That's the thought on every soybean farmer's mind and it resonates strongly with those appointed to serve on the United Soybean Board (USB). Charged with the fiduciary responsibility to invest farmer checkoff funds in research and promotion, USB takes the commitment to maximizing U.S. soybean farmers' profit opportunities seriously.

Meeting for their annual board meeting, the farmer-leaders looked hard at investments that can bring innovative solutions back to their peers. From improving meal and oil to sustainability issues, the farmers have identified these opportunities to return the most value to the marketplace.

Over the last several years, the board has elevated its relationships with ag industry partners and the annual meeting was a great opportunity for Monsanto and Bayer to discuss the merger and the impact to farmers.

"From trait approvals, patent protection and brand equity, the two companies addressed what was top of farmers' minds," says John Motter, newly elected chair and farmer from Jenera, Ohio. "It was nice to hear about their plans to raise the bar in innovation and technology and ways to impact profit opportunities for U.S. soybean farmers into the future.

Motter will lead USB as its 26th chair. He has served on the board for eight years and also served as Ohio Soybean Council Chairman, USB treasurer, and USB vice chair. Also elected to the Executive Committee are:

- Lewis Bainbridge, Vice Chair -- South Dakota

- Jimmy Sneed, Secretary -- Mississippi

- Keith Tapp, Treasurer -- Kentucky

- Mike Beard, Indiana

- John Dodson, Tennessee

- Nancy Kavazanjian, Wisconsin

- Jim Carroll, Arkansas

- Dan Farney, Illinois

- Gregg Fujan, Nebraska

The farmers also selected members to serve on the Strategic Management Committee. Those farmers include Mark Seib, Indiana; Doug Winter, Illinois and Jay Myers, North Dakota.

USB's 73 farmer-directors work on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers to achieve maximum value for their soy checkoff investments. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds in programs and partnerships to drive soybean innovation beyond the bushel and increase preference for U.S. soy. That preference is based on U.S. soybean meal and oil quality and the sustainability of U.S. soybean farmers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.


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