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Kansas Soybean Commission

January 25, 2017

Report to the Kansas Senate

Chairman Kerschen and members of the Kansas Senate agriculture and natural resources committee:

I am Kurt Maurath. My family farms in Logan County, and I am chairman of the Kansas Soybean

Commission. I am here today with our administrator, Kenlon Johannes, and communications director,

Brad Parker.

Two things deserve top billing for the year just completed: a record soybean harvest in Kansas and

the introduction of high-oleic soybeans in our state.

Kansas soybean production for 2016 totaled a record 192 million bushels, up 30 percent from 2015

and 31 million bushels more than the previous record set in 2009. Yield, at 48 bushels per acre, was up 10

bushels from a year earlier. Area for harvest, at 4 million acres, was up 4 percent from 2015.

While high-oleic soybeans have been available for five years in some parts of the country, Kansas

farmers gained our first shot at growing them in 2016. In areas around Concordia and Osborne, farmers

had opportunities to contract acres, and the signup went extremely well. High-oleic soybeans, bred with

top traits and genetics packages, produce oil with no trans fats and long lifespans on the shelf and in the

fryer – qualities attractive to restaurants, food companies and consumers. The soybean checkoff aided

their development and their acceptance. For Kansas farmers, that means increased demand, solid

performance in the field and premium prices. More of us will look to grow high-oleic varieties in 2017.

All U.S. soybean farmers participate in the checkoff, contributing a half-percent of the price we

receive for each bushel, which is collected at the first point of sale. Half of all checkoff dollars collected

in Kansas remain here and are controlled by the Kansas Soybean Commission. Seven of us soybean

farmers are elected by our peers in our districts through a process the Kansas Department of Agriculture

conducts, and we then appoint two commissioners-at-large. All of us volunteer our time to serve on the

Commission and oversee the investment of checkoff funds in projects to benefit our industry. In fiscal

year 2016, as you can see on page 3 of the Soy Notes newsletter in your handouts, our net collections were

about 3.4 million dollars, and we disbursed about 4.1 million dollars.

The checkoff continues to provide soybean farmers with a self-directed, efficient and effective

program for research and development on both the state and national levels. We overwhelmingly see the

value in our checkoff. In fact, Texas A&M University calculated in 2014 that it returns 5 dollars and 20

cents for every dollar invested.

The handouts also include our latest marketing plan, which summarizes this fiscal year’s program,

and a list of the partner organizations we have joined to leverage our time, talents and financial resources.

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A summary of our funded research is included, and those priorities are soybean genetics, utilization, pests

and diseases, nutrients, weeds, and management systems. We recently have funded studies of charcoal rot

disease at Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University. We also have ongoing projects in

agronomy, plant pathology, entomology and grain science at Kansas State University and in biodiesel at

the University of Kansas.

International market development is crucial to our future. Exports account for nearly 60 percent of

U.S. soy demand; therefore, overseas markets play a big role in our profitability. U.S. soy has the fewest

trade barriers among all world agricultural exports, allowing soybeans to have more access than other

commodities. The U.S. soybean industry has taken advantage of that. Total U.S. soybean exports have

more than doubled since 1986, from 757 million bushels to 1.7 billion bushels in 2015. China is our

biggest customer, spending almost 10.5 billion dollars on U.S. soy in 2015. The Commission’s

international marketing efforts primarily are enacted through the IGP Institute at K-State, the U.S.

Soybean Export Council and the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health. We also work with export-

marketing representatives within the state and federal governments.

Turning to education, we proudly support K-State’s Summer Science Institute and the Kansas

Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, providing more than 10,000 dollars each year to maintain

educational resources and provide new delivery methods and lesson plans for Kansas teachers. For a third

consecutive year, we have sponsored collegiate journalism students attending Biotech University in

Phoenix, Arizona, and for the second year in a row, a Kansas student won the follow-up reporting contest.

The Commission’s own consumer-information program tells the public about convenient, healthful

soyfoods and promotes industrial products like soy-based inks, adhesives, paints, stains, sealers and

insulation. Our greatest success story in that area is biodiesel, which helps drive demand for U.S. soy oil

and plays an important role in the nation’s overall energy strategy by fueling state and municipal

governments, school districts, the Defense Department, farming and mining equipment, cruise ships,

commercial motor carriers, and home heating systems.

Domestic livestock and aquaculture industries use almost all of the U.S. soybean meal, and soybean

demand is linked closely to those industries. Animal agriculture in Kansas used more than 400,000 tons

of soybean meal in 2014. If you enjoy meat and dairy, you can thank a Kansas soybean farmer. We are

working closely with other organizations to educate Kansans about the social and economic importance of

animal agriculture in our state and nationwide to help ensure its viability.

To address misconceptions about modern agriculture and today’s farmers, we continue to work with

the Kansas Corn Commission to facilitate the CommonGround Kansas program. We have 10 volunteers

across the state to answer questions, share facts, dispel myths, tell their personal stories, and build trust in

America’s farm families and food system as part of a national movement of farm women.

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Currently distributed as an insert in the Kansas Farmer magazine, the newsletter in your handouts is

just one example of our efforts to get the latest, most relevant information to our farmers. Seven radio

stations, three TV stations and the K-State Radio Network broadcast our weekly Kansas Soybean Update,

and we frequently contribute to the Ag A.M. in Kansas and Kansas Ag Report TV programs. We also have

a website, social media and smartphone app.

In cooperation with the Kansas Soybean Association and K-State Research and Extension, we

provide the annual Kansas Soybean Yield and Value Contests and Kansas Soybean Expo. They allow us

to share information that can help Kansas soybean farmers raise higher yielding and more valuable

soybeans. Thanks to those of you who joined us at the Kansas Expocentre a couple of weeks ago. Please

mark next January 10 on your calendars; we would be glad to have you join us at Expo 2018.

Our administrative budget includes the cost of collections, audits, elections and other Commission

expenses. An outside, accredited accounting firm audits KSC’s financial records each year, ensuring

checkoff dollars are spent according to acceptable, efficient business practices. Our complete FY ’16

audit is available at your request, and the handouts include several financial statements from the last two

audits. In addition, we are audited for compliance with USDA regulations every three years by the United

Soybean Board – the national checkoff organization overseen by 73 farmer-directors, including three

Kansans.

It always is a pleasure to share this brief synopsis with you. More specifics are available at your

request. On behalf of the state’s 15,000 soybean farms, which generated 1.1 billion dollars in farm

receipts from the 2015 crop, please accept our gratitude for your continued support. Thanks, also, for your

service to our great state. Are there any questions about how our soybean checkoff continues to create

“progress powered by Kansas farmers”?

Kurt Maurath, chairman Kansas Soybean Commission

Oakley, Kansas 1000 SW Red Oaks Place

Topeka, KS 66615-1207

Kansas Soybean Commission

FY 2017 Marketing Plan

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Kansas Soybean Commission FY2017 Marketing Plan

The mission of the Kansas Soybean Commission is improving the profitability of Kansas soybean producers. The Commissioners have identified the following priorities to work toward that mission: 1. Breeding/Production/Environmental Programs focusing on the most economical/efficient cropping systems with minimal impact on the environment including best management practices and crop protection/pest management; replacement of existing controls/seed treatments. 2. Animal/Human Nutrition studies that will increase the utilization of soybeans in the livestock feeding industry and new and innovative uses of soybeans as vital components in human nutrition. 3. Value-Added Projects developing and commercializing competitive industrial uses for soybeans including private entity cooperation. 4. Marketing Extension Program including extensive educational training of soybean pricing, crop disappearance/market share, crop insurance options, yield protection, farm program considerations and options in marketing available to Kansas soybean producers. 5. International market development with a focus on utilizing Kansas soybeans. In addition, the Soybean Commission through its own work and through a contract with the Kansas Soybean Association promotes the nutritional benefits of using soybean products to consumers and, because of its benefits to the environment, energy security, and the farm economy, promotes the use of biodiesel as an alternative to diesel fuel. It also informs Kansas soybean producers of its activities through producer communications efforts and participates in Industry Relations programs both statewide and nationally. The Commission directly funds the following programs to reach their mission: 1. Kansas State University research and outreach:

Development of Genetic, Chemical and Population-Based Tactics to Manage Key Kansas Soybean Insect Pests

Breeding and Management of Soybean for Improved Performance Influence of Planting Date, ILeVO Seed Treatment, Root Structure, and Soil Compaction upon

SDS in Kansas Agricultural Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) – Using Soybean as a Model System Soybean Production Systems to Control Charcoal Rot and Other Soil-Borne Diseases Enhancement of Soybean through Genetic Engineering KSU Biodiesel Initiative Collaboration, Process and Organizational Development Project Cover Crop Effects on Soybean Yield 2016 K-State Soybean Production Schools for Kansas The Quest of 100-bushel soybean: On-farm approach Breaking Barriers: Developing Tools for Moving Kansas Irrigated Soybeans Beyond 70 Bushels per

Acre Analytical Testing of KSU Biodiesel Product in an Environmental Science Teaching Laboratroy

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2. Pittsburg State University research on: Highly Economic, One-Step Synthesis of Soybean Polyols for Industrial Applications Development of New Soybean-Based Anti-Oxidant Topical Lotion for Skin Care Applications 3. The University of Kansas research on: Economic and Energy Analysis of the Useful Products from Soybeans (Year 2)

Towards Establishing a Kansas Biodiesel Consortium 4. North Central Kansas Technical College Small Scale Biodiesel Production 5. FAM Enterprises Inc. Managing Important Components of Intensive Production Systems in Soybean 6. Seward County Community College Kansas Biodiesel Consortium 7. North Central Soybean Research Program 8. Ag in the Classroom, School Education Programs and state and county fairs 9. Youth Education Program 10. FFA program support 11. FACS education program 12. Biodiesel – Industrial Uses Advertising Kansas State University Football network WIBW – Kansas University Sports Others as approved by the Commission 13. Biodiesel NBB Membership NBB Fuel Quality Assurance

NBB Advanced Biofuels Acceleration NBB Renewable Fuel Support: Technical and Economic NBB Biodiesel Fuel Quality Compliance and Enforcement MEG Regional Petroleum Outreach Education

MEC Clean Cities Biodiesel Training and Outreach 14. Uses for Soybean Meal Soymeal Information Center 15. Producer Radio, TV and Print Outreach WIBW radio, Topeka KRVN radio, Lexington, NE KKOW radio, Pittsburg, KS KFEQ radio, St. Joseph, MO

KFRM radio, Clay Center, KS KBUF radio, Garden City, KS KXXX radio, Colby, KS K-State Radio Network, Manhattan, KS

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KTWU TV America’s Heartland KPTS TV America’s Heartland KCPT TV America’s Heartland Smoky Hills PTV Real Ag AG am in Kansas on three TV stations in Kansas Kansas Ag Report on three TV stations in Kansas Possible spot ads and other sponsorships: Kansas Agricultural Network Print Ads for specific promotions. Advertise to educate producers of soybean checkoff program sponsored by the KSC, Straight Rows. Work on earned media with Kansas Farmer, High Plains Journal, Farm Talk, Midwest Producer, Grass and Grain, etc.

16. Soy Notes Newsletter 17. Kansas Soybean Expo 18. No-till education including No-till on the Plains organization Demonstration of Cover Crops to Reduce Populations of Herbicide Resistant Weed Populations 19. Field Days, Farm/ Trade Shows, Crop Tours 20. International Market Development work Kansas State University

International Grains Program WISHH Program Kansas Leads Innovation in Pakistani Aquaculture Industry USSEC Latin American, Japanese, and Aquaculture Program work Japan – Animal Production and Soybean Meal Training Program – Swine

Japan – Animal Production and Soybean Meal Training Program – Poultry Americas – Aquaculture Trade & Technical Servicing Latin America: U.S. Soy Promotion in Aquaculture – Aquaculture Investment Workshop

USAPEEC Building on QSSB Funding for Greater Impact in Mexico’s Meat Processing Sector

Developing the Market for U.S Poultry in Korea’s Foodservice Sector Creating Demand for U.S. Poultry in Colombia’s Foodservice Sector

US Meat Export Federation Japan Pork Project Putting U.S. Red Meat on the World’s Table

SRDC U.S. Soybean Meal & Soybeans to Central American Buyers 21. Collection, meeting, administration and audit procedures 22. Program and administrative work by the Kansas Soybean Association (Attached projects including budgets for contracted and direct spending) 23. Leadership development and program management 24. First Purchaser Relations Grain Grading Workshops KGFA Annual meeting and trade show KGFA meetings and golf outings

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KARA KCC 25. Soybean Production Yield Contest 26. USB Funded Cooperative Projects 27. Consumer Awareness Media Program

FY2017 Kansas Soybean Commissioners

Districts I-II-III Kurt Maurath (Chairman) District IV Ron Ohlde 2704 US Hwy 83 1579 4th Road Oakley, KS 67748 Palmer, KS 66962 (785) 672-3750 (785) 692-4322 District V Kent Romine District VI Dennis Gruenbacher 674 SW 10 Road 24600 W Hedgecreek Circle Great Bend, KS 67530-9319 Andale, KS 67001 (620) 793-7829 (316) 755-6785 District VII Jim Zwonitzer District VIII Bob Haselwood (Treasurer) 10789 Cheyenne Road 2130 SE 61st Street Horton, KS 66439 Berryton, KS 66409 (785) 872-3165 (785) 862-1048 District IX Mike Bellar (Secretary) At-Large Jerry Jeschke 1411 Killdeer 1584 Willow Road

Howard, KS 67349 Robinson, KS 66532-9794 (620) 374-2197 (785) 442-5520 At-Large Lance Rezac (Vice-Chairman) United Soybean Board Representatives: 24500 Aiken Switch Road Craig Gigstad, Valley Falls Onaga, KS 66521 Bob Haselwood, Berryton (785) 889-4309 Ron Ohlde, Palmer

Kenlon Johannes, Administrator Kansas Soybean Commission 1000 SW Red Oaks Place Topeka, KS 66615-1207 Phone: 785-271-1040 Fax: 785-271-1302 Email: johannes@kansassoybeans.org

Kansas Soybean CommissionOrganizational Memberships

FY2017Organization RepresentativeUnited Soybean Board Ron Ohlde

Craig GigstadLance Rezac

Animal Agriculture Alliance Dennis HupeASA Action Partnership (ASAAP) Kenlon JohannesCenter for Food Integrity (CFI) Dennis HupeCentral Kansas Clean Cities Coalition (CKCCC) Jancey HallKansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership (KARL) None neededKansas Farm Food Connection (KFFC) Dennis HupeKansas Association of School Boards (KASB) None neededKansas City Regional Clean Cities Coalition (KCRCCC) Dennis HupeKansas Coop Council (KCC) None neededKansas Grain & Feed Association (KGFA) None neededKansas Motor Carriers Association (KMCA) None neededKansas Petroleum Marketers Association (PMCA) None neededKansas Soybean Association (KSA) Kurt MaurathMid-America Fleet Administrators (NAFA) Kenlon JohannesNational Biodiesel Board (NBB) (KSC) Dennis GruenbacherNational Biodiesel Board (NBB) (KSA) Lance RezacNorth Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP) Ron OhldeNo-till on the Plains (NTOP) Dennis HupeSoy Aquaculture Alliance (SAA) John WraySoybean Transportation Coalition (STC) #1 Mike BellarSoybean Transportation Coalition (STC) #2 Jerry JeschkeUSA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) Dennis HupeUS Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) Jeschke/HupeUS Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Zwonitzer/JohannesUS Soybean Export Council (USSEC) John WrayWorld Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) Kurt Maurath

News from the Kansas Soybean Commission – the soybean checkoff | Spring 2017

Kansas Soybean Expo ’17 sets attendance recordNearly 300 soybean enthusi-

asts – the largest crowd in 36 years – gathered Jan. 11 in Topeka for Kansas Soybean Expo 2017. The Kansas Soybean Association (KSA) organized the annual event, with checkoff funding from the Kansas Soybean C o m m i s s i o n (KSC), to coincide with the Topeka Farm Show at the Kansas Expocentre.

“We were really excited to have so many farmers and friends of the industry join us in Topeka,” said KSA Secretary Teresa Brandenburg, Osborne, who chaired the Expo planning committee. “It was a great day to network and advance the Association’s and Commission’s commitments to producer education.”

KSA President Raylen Phelon, Melvern, and KSC Chairman Kurt Maurath, Oakley, welcomed the attendees. The opening session fea-

tured updates from checkoff-partner organizations. The presenters were Jay O’Neil, senior agricultural econ-omist at Kansas State University’s IGP Institute, and Mike Steenhoek,

executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition.

Participants then heard two K-State Research and Extension updates. William Schapaugh, Ph.D., soybean

breeder and pro-fessor of agronomy,

offered “Integrating Germplasm Evaluation,

High-throughput Phenotyping and Breeding to Improve Soybean.” Dallas Peterson, Ph.D., weed-science specialist and professor of agronomy, led “The Ongoing Battle With Weeds.”

Clay Patton, Colby, a farm broad-caster for Kansas Farm and Ranch Radio, was the master of ceremo-nies at the luncheon. The featured speaker was Tracy Streeter, direc-

tor of the Kansas Water Office. He discussed how Kansas is taking a regional approach to implement-ing its Water Vision and noted the Ogallala Aquifer will be 70 percent depleted in 50 years if users do not make changes.

During the awards and recog-nitions, Maurath thanked Bob Haselwood, Berryton, for his years of service representing Kansas on the United Soybean Board and Dennis Gruenbacher, Andale, for serving as the 2015–2016 KSC chairman.

The Friend of Soy award went to Kelly Lenz, Topeka, farm director for WIBW Radio and the Kansas Agriculture Network (KAN). In 1983, he started the Ag Issues program on WIBW Radio, one of the first agricultural talk shows in the nation, and the popular WIBW Farm Profit seminars. Under his leadership, the station also has presented annual programs at the Kansas State Fair.

He currently heads up nearly 2.5 hours of ag programming on WIBW Radio each day and 16 broadcasts

per day on KAN. He also does a 2.5-minute ag news and market report for WIBW-TV 13 in Topeka each day.

Doug Shoup, Ph.D., Parsons, who coordinates the Kansas Soybean Yield and Value Contests, announced the district and overall winners. (See page 2.) Complete results and award photos are available via http://KansasSoybeans.org/contests on the web.

The afternoon’s customary Planning for the Future session fea-tured “Bold Talk for a One-eyed Fat Man” by Darrell Holaday from Advanced Market Concepts in Wamego. He discussed managing the economic shifts in U.S. and world production agriculture by outlining capital flows, global efficiencies, how demand-led markets turn into sup-ply-led markets, currency issues and the competitiveness of U.S. agricul-ture from a cost standpoint.

Expo photos and presenta-tions are available via http://KansasSoybeans.org/expo on the web. 

KansasSoybeans.org KansasSoybean KsSoybean KsSoybean KansasSoybean

Top left: KSC Chairman Kurt Maurath, Oakley, welcomes attendees to Kansas Soybean Expo 2017. Bottom left: KSA President Raylen Phelon, Melvern, presents the Friend of Soy award to Kelly Lenz, Topeka, farm director at WIBW Radio and the Kansas Agriculture Network. Middle: KSA First Vice President Lucas Heinen (left), Everest, and luncheon emcee Clay Patton, Colby, a farm broadcaster for Kansas Farm and Ranch Radio, listen to the featured speaker, Kansas Water Office Director Tracy Streeter. Right: Darrell Holaday from Advanced Market Concepts, Wamego, presents the Expo’s customary Planning for the Future session.

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Another 96-bushel entry tops Kansas Soybean Yield ContestThe best farming practices, wisely

selected varieties and a favorable growing season helped Kansas farm-ers produce high-yielding, valuable soybeans in 2016.

“The annual Kansas Soybean Yield and Value Contests recognize out-standing Kansas farmers and provide fun incentives for them to improve,” said Doug Shoup, Ph.D., Parsons, K-State Research and Extension Southeast Area agronomist, who is completing his third year as the con-tests coordinator. “They also allow the Kansas Soybean Association, with checkoff funding from the Kansas Soybean Commission, to share what participants learned to benefit all Kansas soybean farmers.”

The yield contest included 52 entries, down two from 2015. The 30 winners in 11 categories had veri-fied yields averaging 81.01 bushels per acre, compared to the reported state average of 48 bushels per acre in 2016. The contest winners’ aver-age increased by 6.6 bushels per acre, while the state average increased 10 bushels per acre from 2015.

The value contest had 22 entries, four fewer than in the previous year. For their protein and oil contents,

the top three entries averaged 77.6 cents (8 percent) in increased value over the $9.68 base cash price. In 2015, that average was 61 cents (7.1 percent) above an $8.66 cash price.

Ernest Schlatter, Lebanon, topped the dryland division with a no-till entry that made 95.95 bushels per acre. Calvin Yoder, Hutchinson, led the irrigated division with a conven-tional-tillage entry of 93.79 bushels per acre. Henry Farms, Robinson, won the value contest with 80.3 cents per bushel of increased value (8.3 percent over the cash price).

The Association presented the state and district winners with plaques or certificates and monetary prizes from the Commission at the Kansas Soybean Expo, Jan. 11 in Topeka. The highest dryland and irrigated yields in the state each received a $1,000 award. In each district, first place won $300, second earned $200, and third received $100. The No-till on the Plains organization supplied additional prizes for the no-till categories.

Complete results and award photos are available via http://KansasSoybeans.org/contests on the web. 

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KSA President Raylen Phelon (left), Melvern, and contests coordinator Doug Shoup, Ph.D. (right), Parsons, congratulate the overall winners. Ernest Schlatter, Lebanon, topped the dry-land division. Calvin Yoder, Hutchinson, led the irrigated division. Henry Farms, Robinson, represented by Bob Henry, won the value contest. KSA presented the state and district win-ners with plaques or certificates and monetary prizes from KSC at the Kansas Soybean Expo, Jan. 11 at the Maner Conference Center in Topeka.

K-Stater wins biotech-reporting contestA journalism student from Kansas

State University won the 2016 Biotech University reporting contest.

Safiya Woodard, a senior in mass communications, earned the grand prize, a $2,500 scholarship. Her winning entry was a video docu-mentary titled “The Evolution of Biotechnology in Agriculture.”

The reporting contest was a follow-up to the 2016 Biotech University seminar in October at Arizona State University (ASU).

The one-day event introduced beginning journalists to the latest advances in biotechnology. Experts explained the topic; debated its pros and cons; and discussed the scien-tific, economic and political issues surrounding it.

Twenty ASU journalism students attended Biotech University, along with 21 students from other schools who received scholarships from state soybean boards. The Kansas Soybean Commission sponsored four students. Five working journal-ists also attended.

The United Soybean Board was the event’s main sponsor, with co-sponsorships from the National Corn Growers Association, Arizona Farm Bureau and the ASU Biodesign Institute.

For more information, visit http://Biotech-University.com on the web. 

With scholarships from the Kansas Soybean Commission, (from left) Angela Lingg, Wichita State University; Jordon Hoy and Derek Richardson, Washburn University; and Safiya Woodard, Kansas State University, attend Biotech University in Arizona.

Safiya Woodard from K-State records an interview for her video package about biotechnology in agriculture. She is the second consecu-tive KSC-sponsored student to win the Biotech University

reporting contest.

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Spring 2017 v News from the Kansas Soybean Commission – the soybean checkoff v Soy Notes 32 Soy Notes v News from the Kansas Soybean Commission – the soybean checkoff v Spring 2017

Soy Notes is a service of the Kansas Soybean Commission – the soybean checkoff.

1000 SW Red Oaks Place, Topeka, Kansas 66615

phone: 785-271-1040 | fax: 785-271-1302

toll-free: 800-328-7390 or 877-KS-SOYBEAN (877-577-6923)

www.KansasSoybeans.org | info@kansassoybeans.org

CommissionersDistricts 1, 2 & 3.......................Kurt Maurath, Oakley

kurtmaurath@st-tel.netDistrict 4.........................................Ron Ohlde, Palmer

ohldefarms@bluevalley.netDistrict 5..............................Kent Romine, Great Bend

kromine@opiwireless.comDistrict 6.........................Dennis Gruenbacher, Andale

dg5901@aol.comDistrict 7.............................. James Zwonitzer, Horton

zwonitzer1@hotmail.comDistrict 8............................. Bob Haselwood, Berryton

bhaselwood@aol.comDistrict 9......................................Mike Bellar, Howard

mbellar@sbcglobal.netAt-large ................................ Jerry Jeschke, Robinson

jc_jeschke@yahoo.com Lance Rezac, Onaga

rezacfarms@yahoo.com

2016–2017 OfficersChairman ...............................................Kurt MaurathVice Chairman ........................................Lance RezacSecretary ..................................................Mike BellarTreasurer ........................................... Bob Haselwood

United Soybean Board DirectorsCraig Gigstad, Valley Falls .....gigstadfarms@embarqmail.comRon Ohlde, Palmer ........................ohldefarms@bluevalley.netLance Rezac, Onaga ........................... rezacfarms@yahoo.com

StaffAdministrator ..................................Kenlon JohannesDirector of Field Services ....................Dennis HupeDirector of Communications .................Brad ParkerDirector of Operations.....................Adam O’TrimbleProgram Manager...................................Jancey HallAccounting Assistant .........................Dawn BradleyAdministrative Assistant ..............Mary Lou Dillman

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Kansas Soybean CommissionFiscal Year 2016 Financial SummaryIncome Expenditures

Remitted to United Soybean Board & other state boards:

$3,403,167

Net collections & other income:

$3,448,169

International market development:

$812,644

Research: $1,132,997

Consumer & industry outreach: $1,108,165

Communications: $524,854

Administration: $271,433

FY ’18 funding decisions madeSeventy-four research and educa-

tion proposals for fiscal year 2018, which begins July 1, were submitted to the Kansas Soybean Commission by the Oct. 14, 2016, deadline.

The commissioners gave each an initial review during a Nov. 9 conference call. At their Dec. 1–3 face-to-face meeting, they heard more about 56 selected ideas for breeding, production and environ-mental programs; livestock-feeding and human-nutrition studies; com-

mercially significant, value-added projects; and marketing and trans-portation programs. Those proposers made formal presentations in Topeka or via teleconferencing.

Fifty-one proposals totaling $4.5 million received funding. Among the top recipients are Kansas State University, the North Central Soybean Research Program and the National Biodiesel Board. Visit http://KansasSoybeans.org/research for more details.

Among those presenting proposals for fiscal year 2018 was the Kansas Biodiesel Consortium, which includes the University of Kansas Biodiesel Initiative, Kansas State University Biodiesel Initiative, North Central Kansas Technical College and Seward County Community College.

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Heed dicamba advice to avoid getting lost in the weedsF armers have a new weapon for

their fight against weeds in 2017. Dicamba-resistant Xtend® traits, developed by Monsanto, recently have received export approval for key markets in Europe and China.

Although the trait has been approved for months, the Environmental Protection Agency just recently approved the use of a new low-drift dicamba herbicide, XtendiMax™, for use in dicamba-resistant soybean. While a federal label for XtendiMax is approved, it also has to be approved by each state before farmers are allowed to apply it to Xtend soybeans.

Monsanto, DuPont and BASF are developing new formulations of dicamba with lower volatility and drift potential than Clarity®, which already has much lower volatility than Banvel®. New dicamba formu-

lations will be available under the product names of XtendiMax from Monsanto, FeXapan™ from DuPont and Engenia™ from BASF.

The herbicide approval will allow direct applications of new formula-tions of dicamba to Xtend soybeans to help address glyphosate-resistant weeds with a reduced risk of herbi-cide volatility, leading to less likeli-hood of nontarget drift.

Farmers should keep in mind that, while dicamba will help with weed control, they still should implement good control practices that help preserve the technology for years to come.

They still need to use multiple her-bicide modes of action, crop rotation and other cultural cropping practices that help take selection pressure off dicamba; otherwise, widespread her-bicide resistance is likely to develop.

Key label instructions exist with the new dicamba formulations and will require close attention. For example, farmers will not be allowed to add ammonium sulfate (AMS) to spray mixtures contain-ing any of the dicamba formulations because unacceptable dicamba vola-tility could result.

Other specific label restrictions will be enforced, so applicators will need to understand the buffer-strip, spray-tip and environmental condi-tions requirements approved on the labels. By Doug Shoup, Ph.D., assistant professor of agronomy and Southeast Area crops and soils spe-cialist for Kansas State University. Brand names are for product-identification purposes only. No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned.

4 Soy Notes v News from the Kansas Soybean Commission – the soybean checkoff v Spring 2017

Agriland showcases crop, animal production at state fairV isitors to the 2016 Kansas State

Fair could ride in a virtual com-bine, sift grain between their fingers and milk Blossom, the mechani-cal dairy cow, in Agriland. Located in the Pride of Kansas Building, the cooperative exhibit provided an interactive experience for children to learn more about agriculture.

They had the opportunity to touch different Kansas-grown crops, “drive” a combine, walk through the soil-tunnel trailer for an under-the-scenes look at Kansas soils and much more.

“Fairgoers get basic farm-to-fork education at Agriland,” said Robin Blume, education and events coor-dinator for the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA). “Agriland provides an interactive opportu-nity for families to learn about the roles Kansas farmers and ranchers

have in producing our food, energy and fiber.”

Teachers who visited Agriland could sign up for free lesson plans from the Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom

(KFAC). Those help students explore various facets of agriculture, learn how it is important and recognize its many career opportunities.

Agriland is a collaborative effort of the Kansas Soybean Commission,

Kansas Beef Council, Kansas Corn Commission, Kansas Cotton, Kansas Dairy Association, Kansas Grain

Sorghum Commission, Kansas Sunflower Commission,

Kansas Wheat, Kansas C o n s e r v a t i o n Partnership, Kansas A g r i - W o m e n , Nutrients for Life, KFAC and KDA.

It provides visi-tors of all ages and

backgrounds the opportunity to learn

about agriculture – Kansas’ largest industry, employer and economic contributor.

For more information about Agriland, visit http://facebook.com/KansasAgriland on the web, or con-tact Blume at robin.blume@ks.gov or 785-564-6756. 

A young fairgoer gets firsthand experience with soybeans in the Pride of Kansas Building.

Kansas farmers harvest 1st high-oleic soybeans in ’16W hile high-oleic soybeans

have been available for five years in some parts of the country, Kansas farmers gained their first shot at growing them in 2016. That began when Ag Processing Inc.’s (AGP’s) soybean-processing plant in Hastings, Nebraska, started con-tracting acres for the specialty crop.

“AGP announced that it wanted to contract acres from south-central Nebraska on down to north-central Kansas,” said Craig Gigstad, a soy-bean farmer from Valley Falls and United Soybean Board (USB) direc-tor. “In areas around Concordia and Osborne, producers had opportuni-ties to contract acres, and the sign-up went extremely well.”

High-oleic soybeans, bred with top traits and genetics packages, produce an oil with no trans fats and long lifespans on the shelf and in the fryer – qualities attractive to restaurants, food companies and consumers. For Kansas farmers, that means increased demand, solid per-formance in the field and a premium for growing the specialty crop.

With high-oleic soybean oil increas-

ing in availability, more restaurants and food companies are taking an interest in the oil’s positive attributes.

“The soybean checkoff has funded case studies with two restaurants, whose chefs came away with a new appreciation and preference for high-oleic soybean oil,” Gigstad said. “Those case studies verified the research that shows high-oleic’s acceptance and success in the food industry.”

As growers see positive perfor-mance and additional food compa-nies seek out the oil, more Kansas farmers should look to jump on board in 2017.

“We have food processors that are excited about high-oleic,” said Berryton farmer Bob Haselwood, a past USB chairman. “They’re ready to commit once they know they’ll have a steady supply. Food processors want their supply to be consistent, so they want to make sure they have enough high-oleic soybean oil to do what they want to do.”

To learn more about high-oleic soybeans and Kansas delivery loca-tions, visit http://KansasSoybeans.org/high-oleic on the web. 

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