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FARMERS AND SUSTAINABILITY ILLINOIS SOYBEAN

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Page 1: ILLINOIS SOYBEAN FARMERS AND SUSTAINABILITY · 2017-12-07 · Illinois soybean farmers have served WISHH in a variety of leadership positions. We also support other outreach programs

FARMERS AND SUSTAINABILITY

ILLINOIS SOYBEAN

Page 2: ILLINOIS SOYBEAN FARMERS AND SUSTAINABILITY · 2017-12-07 · Illinois soybean farmers have served WISHH in a variety of leadership positions. We also support other outreach programs

The goal of Illinois soybean farmers is straightforward: Get soybeans from Illinois fields into customers’ hands in the most sustainable way possible. It’s a goal we share with everyone from soybean buyers to livestock producers to retailers.

SUSTAINABILITYBENEFITS EVERYONE

Our definition of sustainable agriculture is just as clear—meet today’s needs while helping future generations to meet their needs by:

• Increasing productivity to meet future needs while decreasing environmental impact.

• Improving access to safe food and feed, and the production of renewable fuel that reduces air quality impacts.

• Improving the social and economic well-being of farmers and the global community.

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What is the Illinois Soybean Association?The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) checkoff program represents approximately 43,000 Illinois soybean farmers and 10 million acres. Illinois is the leading soybean-producing state in the U.S., adding $7.48 billion to the Illinois state economy in 2016 through the soybean value chain (farming, crushing, refining) and contributing to state output in the amount of $17.65 billion. There were 57,239 jobs supported by the soybean complex and labor income of $4.81 billion. The soybean complex also supported state and local taxes of nearly $531 million.

Three Key PillarsThe Illinois soybean checkoff program promotes sustainability goals that are important within the supply chain.

We focus on three key pillars:

SOCIAL: How can we improve the social and economic well-being of farmers, consumers and the global community?

ENVIRONMENTAL: How can we work to decrease environmental impacts to water and air quality, including the production of renewable fuels?

ECONOMIC: How can we increase productivity and ensure an affordable, quality supply in ways that meet both current and future needs for farmers and our customers?

Together, these pillars form the foundation for all our sustainability efforts and initiatives locally, nationally and internationally.

SUSTAINABILITY MATTERS TO ILLINOIS SOYBEAN FARMERS

ISA conducts an annual survey of the state’s soybean farmers to help gauge awareness and understanding of ISA checkoff and membership programs. ISA recently started asking specific questions related to sustainability, conservation practices and on-farm adoption of best management practices (BMPs). Farmers overwhelmingly support these efforts and are taking strides towards continued improvement. Here are a few key findings from the most recent survey:

94PERCENT

of farmers agree or strongly agree that consumers’ support of farming is important to the long-term success of Illinois farmers.

74PERCENT

of farmers believe they are working toward sustainable production on their own operations.

86PERCENT

of farmers have implemented soil testing as a best management practice.

78PERCENT

of farmers feel it’s extremely important to rebuild Illinois infrastructure to ensure Illinois soybean delivery remains competitive in domestic and global markets.

81PERCENT

of farmers have implemented reduced tillage as a best management practice.

47PERCENT

of farmers view Illinois livestock production as extremely important to their own bottom lines.

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SOCIAL PILLAR

SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

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Any sustainability program must put people and communities at the center of its efforts. Illinois soybean farmers understand that. As one of the foundational pillars of our sustainability commitment, ISA seeks to improve the social and economic well-being of farmers, consumers and the global community.

These efforts are grounded in real-world narratives that demonstrate how Illinois soybean farmers are making a difference. For example, when Kansas wildfires burned more than 650,000 acres in 21 counties in 2017, ISA director Lynn Rohrscheib joined others in a convoy of trucks delivering much-needed hay to victims of that disaster.

Here are some other tangible steps ISA is taking to demonstrate its commitment to social sustainability locally, nationally and in more than 80 countries worldwide.

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A COMMITMENT TO EDUCATIONA COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION

Ag Literacy Illinois Ag in the Classroom is a working partnership that provides Illinois educators and students with ag-related resources. We support the project by developing and providing educational materials at limited or no charge.

Leadership Development Each year, up to five $4,000 ISA scholarships will be awarded to students at Illinois agriculture universities. ISA also supports initiatives such as FFA, Illinois Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow and the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation.

FIVE$4,000

SCHOLARSHIPSAWARDED

PublicationsWe’ve made it easy for elementary school teachers to enhance or supplement their existing curriculum with education activities about soybeans, including a brand-new book as part of our Pod to Plate initiative.

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SOCIAL PILLAR

OTHER LOCAL AND STATE INITIATIVES

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OTHER LOCAL AND STATE INITIATIVES

Doug Schroeder has served as a past board member of the Mahomet Area Youth Club, which provides after-school and summer programming for low-income kids to enrich their overall learning experience. He currently helps with two important annual fundraisers:

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

ONE DISTRICT DIRECTOR’S STORY

Hunger Relief We work with local food banks and other organizations to provide hunger relief in our communities, often partnering with organizations like the Illinois Pork Producers Association to fight hunger in Illinois.

Association PartnershipsIllinois agricultural groups have done an effective job over the past few years in communicating farm and food facts to consumers through the Illinois Farm Families initiatives.

Barn Dance and Auction: Every year, approximately 400 people attend the “Boot Scootin’ Barn Dance and Auction.” In addition to raising between $50,000-$100,000 for the club, the event lets city residents see modern farming up close.

Annual Race: Another important annual fundraiser. Doug helps with the extensive logistics that go into an event that includes a half-marathon, 10K, 5K and 1-mile fun run for kids.

ILSoyAdvisor EventsThese events allow the community to see the latest practices for reducing environmental impact while maximizing productivity.

Soy in the CityOur Soy in the City initiative maintains continued outreach with inner-city food banks. We also work directly with a Chicago high school on agricultural science programs, including a donation of supplies to make soy candles. At another Chicago school, a mural painted with soy ink introduced students to soybeans in a unique way.

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A COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION

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We’ve also worked with the Center for Food Integrity, U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) and other broad efforts to help consumers get answers to their questions about food. To date, two of the USFRA’s Faces of Farming have come from Illinois: Katie Pratt and Thomas Titus.

Results help us better understand how customers think about soybeans and farmers, and identify opportunities where we can help consumers better understand the benefits of soybeans. Consumers want to know and they’re open to learning even more.

An important part of reaching our sustainability goals is engaging with consumers. ISA has partnered with Heart+Mind Strategies® to survey more than 750 Illinois residents about their awareness and attitudes regarding food system knowledge, soybean production practices and Illinois soybean farmers.

One finding: While three quarters are familiar with how food is grown in America today, only half (56%) are familiar with the use of sustainable farming practices and the majority of those are only somewhat familiar.

56%

STATE AND NATIONAL EFFORTS

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SOCIAL PILLAR

INTERNATIONAL IMPACT

Overcoming food deserts ISA has helped bring soybeans to food deserts in Africa and Pakistan. The work includes teaching farmers in these areas how to grow and process soybeans, using the protein and oil as a source of healthy, nutritious, renewable food.

Global support to emerging markets U.S. soybean leaders in Illinois and other states launched the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) in the early 2000s as a way to create trade with developing countries where a growing middle class would have the buying power to purchase protein foods and feeds. Illinois soybean farmers have served WISHH in a variety of leadership positions. We also support other outreach programs to help promote better nutrition in developing countries.

54 feed and food processing companies are committed to further research and soy product development.

of these 54 companies are conducting product research and development with soy protein for commercial applications.

85PERCENT

CAMBODIA, MYANMAR, PAKISTAN, SRI LANKA (IN COORDINATION WITH USSEC)

WISHH IS ACTIVE IN COUNTRIES THAT USE U.S. SOY

LATIN AMERICAEL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA,

NICARAGUA, HONDURAS

AFRICA

ASIA

BURKINA FASO, CÔTE D’IVOIRE, ETHIOPIA, GHANA, KENYA,

MOZAMBIQUE, NIGERIA, SENEGAL, UGANDA

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Illinois soybean farmers know that those who work for us are our neighbors and family members. One important way we demonstrate our commitment to sustainability is by looking out for the best interests of our workers. Here are a few examples of how we do that:

WORKER CONDITIONS AND LABOR RELATIONS

Complete pesticide training and make sure

workers do as well.

Report worker tax and social security

information properly and thoroughly.

Offer medical insurance where

applicable.

Obtain commercial driver’s license (CDL)

to ensure public safety.

Perform safety training.

Comply with all applicable Occupational

Safety and Health Administration

(OSHA) guidelines.

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ENVIRONMENTAL PILLAR

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Illinois soybean farmers are committed to being good stewards of the environment and making a positive difference. It’s a priority on Illinois soybean farms that includes everything from water quality to air quality to our overall commitment to renewable fuels. Many environmental sustainability issues are also directly related to soil health, making it a topic of interest to both agriculture and the supply chain. Illinois soybean farmers are taking steps to improve soil health.

One example of how Illinois soybean farmers are addressing all these issues is ISA’s “Try One Thing” initiative. As a response to the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, this initiative asks growers to implement one new conservation effort on their farm as a first step toward reducing environmental impact.

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ISA IS A MEMBER OF FIELD TO MARKET

FIELD TO MARKET: ENVIRONMENTAL RESULTS

Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture is a diverse initiative that joins stakeholders from all levels of the supply chain to create sustainable outcomes for agriculture.

The third edition of Field to Market’s National Indicators Report analyzes sustainability trends over time from 1980 to 2015 at the national scale for commodity crops, utilizing the eight environmental indicators in Field to Market’s Supply Chain Sustainability Program and five additional socioeconomic sustainability indicators. When looking at resource use efficiency for soybeans, five indicators were evaluated: land use, energy use, soil loss, irrigation water use, and greenhouse gas emissions.

According to Field to Market’s 2016 National Indicators Report, the total changes in 2015 when compared to 1980 for U.S. soybean production were as follows:

Production trends: Total soybean production (+120%) and total planted acres (+31%) both increased while crop yields increased (29%).

Resource efficiency: Soybeans improved resource efficiency with decreases in per bushel land use (-40%), irrigation water use (-32%), energy use (-35%), and greenhouse gas emissions (-38%) and improvements in per acre soil conservation (-47%).

While percentage of land use and other resource-specific numbers have increased since 1980 on a per-acre basis, total soil conservation improved with a 32% decrease in total soil loss.

0.0

0.4

0.8

1.2

1.6LAND USE

GREENHOUSEGAS EMISSIONS

SOIL CONSERVATION

IRRIGATION WATER USE

ENERGY USE

5 YEAR AVG 2011-155 YEAR AVG 2001-05

5 YEAR AVG 1991-955 YEAR AVG 1981-85

Data are presented in index form, where the year 2000 = 1 and a 0.1-point change is equal to a 10 percent difference. Index values allow for comparison of change across multiple dimensions with differing units of measure.

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Learn more at www.fieldtomarket.org/report

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ENVIRONMENTAL PILLAR

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The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS) focuses on preventing loss of nutrients applied to a crop through agricultural runoff and subsequent waterway contamination.

WATER QUALITY: MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

Illinois soybean farmers understand the importance of water quality along the Mississippi River. Here are some key facts:

ADVANCING CONSERVATION

AND WATER QUALITY

PRACTICES

EROSIONFROM 1982 – 2010 ILLINOIS’ EROSION RATE ON CROPLAND IS DOWN

39PERCENT

OVERALL60PERCENT

92PERCENT

of the nation’s agricultural exports are developed along the Mississippi basin.

of all North American birds migrate along the Mississippi Flyway.

78PERCENT

of the world’s exports in feed grains and soybeans, and most of the livestock and hogs produced nationally, are produced in the Mississippi watershed.

25PERCENT

The Mississippi River is home to 25 percent of all fish species in North America.

SOURCE: www.nps.gov/miss/riverfacts.htm

18MILLION

people use the Mississippi watershed for their water supply and 50 cities rely on it.

60PERCENT

of all grain exported from the U.S. is shipped on the Mississippi River through the Port of New Orleans and the Port of South Louisiana.

SOURCE: USDA NCRS, 2010 National Resource Inventory

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ISA engages in numerous partnerships with various industry experts and conservation groups to facilitate practices that support their environmental commitments.

Illinois soybean farmers’ partnership with the USDA in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) removes approximately 132,000 acres of cropland along the Illinois River.

Reduce total sediment loading by

Increase native fish and mussel stocks in lower reaches of the river by

10PERCENT

20PERCENT

15PERCENT

Increase populations of waterfowl, shorebirds, and state and federally listed species by

Reduce phosphorous and nitrogen loading by

10PERCENT

Along the Mississippi River, CREP is working to:

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WATER QUALITY: PARTNERSHIPS

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ENVIRONMENTAL PILLAR

ISA supports 4R Nutrient Stewardship (the right fertilizer source, at the right rate, at the right time and in the right place) because it helps crop advisers and farmers enhance management practices and operational efficiency while keeping key nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus in the root zone where they are most useful. Practicing 4R principles also can reduce fertilizer costs and boost downstream water quality miles away.

Many growers have already put these practices into place:

OVERALL ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

DRAINAGE MANAGEMENT

CONSERVATION TILLAGE

COVER CROPS

BUFFER STRIPS

PRECISION AG TECHNOLOGY

5PERCENT

2XMORE LAND

56PERCENT

44PERCENT

The amount of Illinois corn, wheat and soybean acres planted to cover crops. Farmers cite top reasons for planting cover crops as soil quality improvement, erosion control, nitrogen preservation, pest control and phosphorous preservation.

Total Illinois cover crop acres nearly doubled between 2011 and 2015; with a 223 percent increase in cover crops on tile-drained and 166 percent increase on non-tile-drained acres.

The amount of Illinois cropland where soil tests were conducted prior to fertilizer applications.

The percent of Illinois farmers who currently plant cover crops.

SOURCE: National Ag Statistics Service Survey, December 2016

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The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) conducted the 2015 Producer Survey to accurately reflect the nutrient management and conservation practices used for the state’s Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS).

Survey questions covered nutrient management strategies, cover crops, edge-of-field practices, use of soil tests, erosion management and knowledge of certain NLRS components. Farmers were asked to respond on crop years 2015 and 2011, which was selected as a base year.

CONSERVATION: USDA NASS PRODUCER SURVEY

CONSERVATION: VULNERABLE LAND

Two of these important conservation activities are the adoption of cover crops and use of pattern tiling to reduce soil loss. By increasing the number of acres on which these activities occur, Illinois soybean farmers support conservation efforts.

Another key conservation indicator is the number of acres on which farmers implement reduced tillage strategies or test soil to decrease the amount of phosphorus applied to fields. Again, Illinois soybean farmers are continuously improving on these fronts as well.

AFTER 2011 CROP SEASON

AFTER 2015 CROP SEASON

Corn/soybean acres planted to cover crops on tiled ground

220,000 490,000

Corn/soybean acres planted to cover crops on non-tiled ground

380,000 630,000

Acres where pattern tiling was installed 310,000 110,000

2011

PERCENT OF ILLINOIS CROPLAND 2015

PERCENT OF ILLINOIS CROPLAND

Cropland that was converted to reduced tillage strategies due to perceived excessive soil erosion

6,525,000 28% 7,051,000 31%

Cropland planted to cover crops after the crop season due to perceived excessive soil erosion

492,000 2% 815,000 4%

Cropland where phosphorous applications were reduced because of soil test results

4,483,000 20% 5,162,000 23%

Cropland where soil tests were conducted prior to fertilizer applications

12,509,000 55% 12,600,000 56%

NASS Principal Crop Acres 22,949,000 100% 22,616,000 100%

Illinois soybean growers also are taking vulnerable land out of production through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).

Through the CSP, the U.S. government provides incentives to farmers to remove highly erodible land from production.

It’s one of many incremental methods to help protect America’s long-term capacity for food, fuel and fiber production.

SOIL EROSION AND SOIL TESTING

ADOPTION OF COVER CROPS

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ENVIRONMENTAL PILLAR

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CONSERVATION: WETLAND ACREAGE

Wetland acreage has been on the rise in Illinois thanks in large part to agriculture.

Near waterways and in significant watershed areas around the state, farmers have been slowly transitioning acreage from crop production and allowing it to return to its natural wetland state.

Not only does this land conversion help reduce nutrient loss, but the return of natural foliage and increased wildlife biodiversity are welcome additions to local communities.

EFFICIENT ENERGY USE: REDUCED TILLAGE

Soybeans fix nitrogen in soil, so they need very limited nitrogen fertilizer. This considerably reduces the total amount of energy used to produce the soybeans. In addition, the nitrogen-fixing properties of soybeans bring fertility benefits to the corn-soybean rotation practiced by most soybean farmers.

Illinois soybean farmers also take specific actions to improve energy efficiency, such as reduced tillage practices that reduce or eliminate plowing. The less farmers plow, the greater the fuel savings and the lower the emissions. Another benefit of no-till and reduced-tillage strategies is improved overall soil health. Leaving crop residue undisturbed longer increases soil organic matter, improving soil health and productivity.

FUELSAVINGS

EMISSIONS

ISA also supports efforts to encourage farmers to plant milkweed and develop other habitats that support monarch butterflies and other pollinators along waterways and other areas where growing soybeans would not be productive.

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SUSTAINABILITY: WORKING WITH QUANTIFIABLE DATA

RENEWABLE FUEL: BIODIESEL AND THE B20 CLUB

ISA works with Field to Market and the U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP). The U.S. SSAP is a certified aggregate approach audited by third parties that demonstrates sustainable soybean production on a national scale.

The U.S. approach is quantifiable and results driven, with mass-balance international certification available.

Soybeans grown in Illinois provide oil for biodiesel— a renewable, clean-burning alternative to diesel fuel. And farmers not only grow the soybeans, they contribute to a sustainable system by fueling their farm equipment with biodiesel.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, biodiesel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 57 to 86 percent compared with petroleum diesel. Commercial fleets using biodiesel transport goods to market with less impact on the environment. Municipalities improve air quality, especially when they use B20, a blend of 20 percent biodiesel with petroleum diesel.

Through the B20 Club, the Illinois soybean checkoff program recognizes and supports Illinois-based fleets using B20. This organization is a partnership between ISA and the American Lung Association in Illinois. Fifteen B20 Club members run more than 4,800 vehicles on B20 fuel. The associated reductions in CO2 emissions are equal to planting 234,279 trees.

234,279CO2EMISSIONS TREES

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ECONOMIC PILLAR

ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY

In any business, the marketplace tends to reward those who use resources wisely and sustainably. Growing soybeans is no different. Illinois soybean farmers adopted the business efficiencies associated with sustainability long before sustainability was a popular concept.

Sustainability simply makes good business sense and benefits not only Illinois soybean farms, but also our communities and global customers. Every project ISA implements is focused on the sustained profitability of Illinois soybean farmers.

We’re also actively involved in making sure this part of the world is the preferred choice for soybeans internationally.

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EDUCATION ON SOUND BUSINESS PRACTICES

ISA’s ILSoyAdvisor.com and Illinois Field & Bean magazine feature topical assistance on everything from farm bill education and land owner contract negotiations to taxation and succession planning—all designed to help Illinois soybean farmers make choices that sustain profitability.

ISA promotes the University of Illinois FarmDoc initiative, whose goal is to harness the power of the internet for today’s farm business. Topics covered on the site include finance, marketing and outlook, management, law and taxation, and policy.

Farmers have systems in place to help manage risk, ensuring continued operation through good times and bad. By managing risk through business arrangements such as contracting, they are able to spread risk over a wider group of stakeholders.

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ECONOMIC PILLAR

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Animal agriculture is the No. 1 customer for soybeans. In Illinois, it adds $30.4 billion in economic impact and 59,700 jobs. Hogs eat 74 percent of the soybean meal fed in Illinois. About 40 percent of our whole soybeans are crushed in Illinois, and the meal feeds livestock and poultry. The rest are exported and crushed overseas. Diversification with livestock is a proven way to increase soybean meal demand.

BUILDING AND PROTECTING MARKETS:

LIVESTOCK PRODUCTIVITY

MANAGEMENT TOOLS TO ASSESS IMPACT

Fieldprint® Calculator developed by Field to Market helps farmers look at operations in terms of natural resource management and sustainability.

The calculator also helps farmers compare their performance against county, state and national averages.

The FieldRise Network is a farmer-founded team of agronomists and agricultural economists who created an easy, confidential survey to showcase farmers’ longstanding stewardship success.

The network uses this data to improve farm economic success and to increase off-farm understanding of the many ways farmers are leaders in advancing sustainability.

ISA played a key role in launching the group when it was known as the National Initiative for Sustainable Agriculture.

ISA also supports the Precision Conservation Management program, which takes what a farmer learns as part of the Fieldprint Calculator and shows how it can work from a profitability standpoint. It’s an excellent example of tying both our economic and environmental sustainability pillars together.

ISA invests in meat export groups to help build demand in foreign markets.

Aquaculture provides another market opportunity. Consumer demand for fish products is rapidly increasing the demand for protein in aquaculture feed. Soy meets that demand while reducing reliance on fish meal.

SOURCE: Calculations based on estimated soybean meal usage data from United Soybean Board 2005-2015 Economic Analysis of Animal Agriculture, Decision Innovation Solutions, and Illinois Department of Agriculture Animal Units.

SOURCES: 2015 Illinois Agriculture Economic Contribution study and 2016 United Soybean Board Economic Analysis of Animal Agriculture study.

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BUILDING AND PROTECTING MARKETS: SPECIALTY AND IDENTITY-PRESERVED SOYBEANS

BUILDING AND PROTECTING MARKETS: INCREASING THE VALUE OF ILLINOIS SOYBEANS

To increase recognition of soybeans from Illinois and the U.S. as the best and most profitable, ISA has introduced the HY+Q: High Yield Plus Quality program. Starting with protein, this checkoff-funded program eventually has the flexibility to promote an array of traits that increase soybean value. And the same industry relationships that built HY+Q will make it easier to bring future traits to market.

For customers with specialized identity-preserved needs, Illinois soybean farmers have easy access to containerized shipments, especially through Chicago.

ISA also supports SoybeanPremiums.org, which gives soybean growers an opportunity to expand their portfolios by planting soybeans with enhanced quality traits. Their stated mission is to “connect soybean farmers with specialty premium programs by allowing buyers to post premium programs, giving growers a detailed program listing and providing links to additional resources.”

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TRANSPORTATIONIllinois farmers turn to waterways for the most sustainable, efficient and cost-effective means of transporting soybeans to market. Barge transportation avoids burdening our highway and rail systems. Without waterways there would be 83 percent more trucks on the highway and 25 percent more tonnage on the nation’s rail system.

2003 T

O 2015 20

MILLIONGALLONS OF BIODIESELPRODUCED IN ILLINOIS

188MILLION

GALLONS OF BIODIESELPRODUCED IN ILLINOIS

TRUCK 59MILES

202 MILES

514 MILES

SOURCE: Adapted from U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration

SOURCE: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Navigation Data Center, Waterborne Commerce of the United States 2009

BUILDING AND PROTECTING MARKETS

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BIODIESELBiodiesel remains a continuing success story for Illinois soybean farmers. ISA checkoff program success with its “Get Pumped Up about Biodiesel” campaign has increased awareness of biodiesel’s availability and use, which has a direct impact on soybean demand.

BARGE

TRAIN

MODE OF TRANSPORTATION NUMBER OF MILES ONE TON OF CARGO CAN BE CARRIED PER GALLON OF FUEL

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AN ONGOING COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY

Since our definition of sustainable agriculture is “to meet today’s needs while helping future generations meet theirs,” Illinois soybean farmers will continue to lead the way on all sustainability fronts—social, environmental and economic—as we move forward together.

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ISA is drawing ideas from numerous organizations to achieve its sustainability goals and looking at other global efforts for responsible soy production.

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Federal Grain Inspection Service

Conservation Technology Information Center

The Sustainability Consortium

International Soy Growers Alliance

FFA

Field to Market

Illinois Council on Best Management Practices

U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol

Illinois Nutrient Research & Education Council

The Nature Conservancy

American Farmland Trust

Environmental Protection Agency

Illinois Department of Agriculture

PARTNERSHIPS

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

© 2017 Illinois Soybean Association ISA-SUS2190ilsoy.org/sustainability