Spring 2016 - Kansas Soybeans

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KANSAS
SOYBEAN
ASSOCIATION
Volume 20, Issue 3 | Spring 2016
Climate, legal issues among topics at 35th Kansas Soybean Expo
ore than 225 soybean enthusiasts
gathered Jan. 6 in Topeka for Kansas
Soybean Expo 2016. The Kansas Soybean
Association (KSA) organized the 35th annual event, with checkoff funding from the
Kansas Soybean Commission (KSC), to coincide with the Topeka Farm Show at the
Kansas Expocentre.
“We were really excited to have so many
farmers join us in Topeka,” said KSA
Secretary Teresa Brandenburg, Osborne,
who chaired the Expo planning committee.
“It was a great day to network and celebrate
the Association’s 35-year tradition of producer education.”
KSA President Raylen Phelon, Melvern,
and KSC Chairman Dennis Gruenbacher,
Andale, welcomed the attendees. The opening session then featured updates from
checkoff-partner organizations. The presenters were Bridget Owen, executive director of the Soy Aquaculture Alliance;
John Hinners, assistant vice president for
industry relations at the U.S. Meat Export
Federation; and Don Scott, director of sustainability for the National Biodiesel Board.
Evelyn Browning Garriss and James
Garriss from Browning Media, based in Las
Vegas, Nevada, presented the keynote address, “El Niño, the Blocked Atlantic and the
Outlook for Kansas Agriculture.”
They said there is an 85 percent chance
the current El Niño will be strong and last
Kansas Attorney
General
Derek
Schmidt discusses legal issues
affecting Kansas
agriculture and
the states’ role in
combating overreach by the federal government.
He addressed the
Expo luncheon.
 KansasSoybeans.org
until May. Its combination with
the eruption of an Icelandic volcano should create a warm, dry
winter in the northern tier of
states through the Midwest. South
American summer crops will have
above-average yields, so overall
global commodity prices likely
will drop.
Participants then could attend
two of three K-State Research and
Extension (KSRE) breakout sessions. Dorivar Ruiz Diaz, Ph.D.,
Historical climatologists Evelyn Browning Garriss and James
Garriss from Browning Media, based in Las Vegas, Nevada,
associate professor of soil fertility
present Expo 2016’s keynote address.
and nutrient management, offered
“Fertilizing for $8 Soybeans.” Brian
tor elections. The voting members present
McCornack, Ph.D., associate professor of
re-elected Lucas Heinen, Everest, as the
entomology, presented “What MyFields Can
District 1 director; Grant Webber, Sublette,
Do for You.” Doug Shoup, Ph.D., Southeast
as the District 7 director; and Brice Bunck,
Area agronomist, led “Cover-crop Effects
Topeka, as a director-at-large.
on Soybean.”
Bob Henry, Robinson, who recently
Eric Atkinson, agriculture director for the
completed nine years of service as KSA’s
K-State Radio Network in Manhattan, was
representative on the American Soybean
the master of ceremonies at the luncheon.
Association (ASA) Board of Directors, inThe featured speaker was Kansas Attorney
troduced his successor, Charles Atkinson,
General Derek Schmidt, J.D., who spoke
Great Bend, who outlined ASA’s priorities
about legal issues affecting Kansas agriculture and the states’ role in combating overfor 2016.
reach by the federal government.
After the meeting adjourned, the KSA directors met and re-elected their officer team
To open the awards and recognitions,
for 2016: Phelon, president; Heinen, first
Phelon congratulated and thanked Marvin
vice president; Dwight Meyer, Hiawatha,
Wahl, Oswego, and Jim Zwonitzer, Horton,
second vice president; Brandenburg, secrefor being KSA’s top member recruiters.
tary; Gary Robbins, Emmett, treasurer; and
Andy and LaVell Winsor, Grantville,
Terry Reschke, Hiawatha, chairman.
who represented Kansas in the 2015
The afternoon’s “Planning for the Future”
DuPont Young Leader program, introduced
session featured a market outlook from
Matthew Atkinson, Columbus, as the 2016
Andy Shissler, S&W Trading, Downers
Young Leader.
Grove, Illinois. He said prices should botShoup, who chairs the Kansas Soybean
tom at multiyear lows, with weather driving
Yield and Value Contests committee, then
the markets into summertime. The availabilannounced the district and overall winners. (See page 5.) Complete results and
ity of capital, currency changes and interest
award photos are available via http://
rates will have worldwide consequences
KansasSoybeans.org/contests on the Web.
throughout 2016.
Next, Phelon presided over the KSA
Expo photos and presentations are available via http://KansasSoybeans.org/expo on
Annual Meeting, which included the approval of 2016 policy resolutions and directhe Web.  KansasSoybean
KSA photos
M
 KsSoybean
 KansasSoybean
 KsSoybean
6
Look to the future, build consensus as spring unfolds
I
f you were not part of the great turnout for
the 35th annual Kansas Soybean Expo, you
missed a lot. The highlights from our Jan. 6
event begin on page 1 of this newsletter.
Many attendees turned in their feedback forms, and we greatly appreciate that.
It will make Expo 2017 even better. If you
have ideas for next year, let someone on the
Board of Directors know before our next
meeting, which is July 30. We already are
three months into that planning process.
Speaking of planning, we had a productive strategic goal-setting session with the
Volume 20, Issue 3 • Spring 2016
Straight Rows
is published quarterly (spring, summer, fall and winter) by the
Kansas Soybean Association
1000 SW Red Oaks Place, Topeka, Kansas 66615-1207
phone: 785-271-1030 | fax: 785-271-1302
toll-free: 800-328-7390 or 877-KS-SOYBEAN (877-577-6923)
www.KansasSoybeans.org | [email protected]
2016 Board of Directors
District 1................................................Lucas Heinen, Everest
District 2............................................. Raylen Phelon, Melvern
District 3...................................................Gail Kueser, Garnett
District 4............................................Kregg Rennie, Columbus
District 5................................................Gary Robbins, Emmett
District 6..................................................... Cody Barilla, Turon
District 7............................................. Grant Webber, Sublette
At-large..................................................... Brice Bunck, Topeka
Dwight Meyer, Hiawatha
Teresa Brandenburg, Osborne
Atchison County..............................Bill Niemann, Nortonville
Brown County.................................. Terry Reschke, Hiawatha
Cherokee County.................................Roger Draeger, Galena
Doniphan County..................................... Josh Falk, Robinson
Labette County.................................... Marvin Wahl, Oswego
K-State Research & Extension.......... Doug Shoup, Ph.D., Parsons
K-State Agronomy..................... Gary Pierzynski, Ph.D., Manhattan
Kansas Soybean Processors.................Jerry Murphy, Emporia
Kansas Soybean Commission.......Dennis Gruenbacher, Andale
American Soybean Association......Charles Atkinson, Great Bend
DuPont Young Leaders..................... Andy Winsor, Grantville
Matthew Atkinson, Columbus
2016 Executive Committee
President............................................................Raylen Phelon
1st Vice President..............................................Lucas Heinen
2nd Vice President........................................... Dwight Meyer
Secretary.................................................. Teresa Brandenburg
Treasurer............................................................. Gary Robbins
Chairman............................................................ Terry Reschke
Staff
Chief Executive Officer...............................Kenlon Johannes
Director of Field Services..................................Dennis Hupe
Director of Communications...............................Brad Parker
Director of Operations..................................Adam O’Trimble
Program Manager................................................Jancey Hall
Accounting Assistant.......................................Dawn Bradley
Administrative Assistant............................Mary Lou Dillman
2 Straight Rows
Kansas Soybean Commission about three
weeks after Expo. Your Kansas Soybean
Association (KSA) directors asked ourselves several questions: How are we doing
with policy? What can we do better? What
else can we do for 2016? How do we attract
more members?
Each Board member committed to do
something during the coming year to “step
up” her or his own KSA participation and
to talk with others about membership. We
identified seven important takeaways from
the meeting.
◆◆ Start setting priorities.
◆◆ Look out for the industry’s future
while respecting everyone.
◆◆ Engage in face-to-face recruiting in all
parts of the state.
◆◆ Continue interacting with other organizations.
◆◆ Demonstrate how farmers need both
KSA and the checkoff.
◆◆ Encourage more participation in future strategy meetings.
◆◆ Get out more policy information.
Policy always is a hot topic for the Board.
That is our special role in the industry. To
position KSA as a resource for lawmakers, we hosted a legislative luncheon at the
Statehouse early in the
session, and we collaborated with the
wheat, corn and sorghum growers on the “Wake Up to Kansas
Agriculture” legislative breakfast a week later.
We also made sure the federal issues
concerning us were part of the American
Soybean Association’s grassroots policy-development process at Commodity Classic in
New Orleans, Louisiana. Some of those included taxation, farm continuation, the administration of farm payments, the “Waters
of the U.S.” proposal, regulations on agricultural inputs and crop insurance.
I’ll leave you with a reminder that planting season is when many farm injuries and
fatalities occur. Review your equipment
manuals before planting. Inspect your
planting equipment, especially shields,
guards and seat belts. Shut down and wait
for moving parts to stop before dismounting
your equipment. Always read and follow the
labels, and keep material-safety information
handy. Launder chemical-soiled clothing
separately and thoroughly, and wash your
hands frequently.
“To see things in the seed, that is genius.”
– Lao Tzu KSA directors meet in January, March
T
he following are highlights from the Kansas Soybean Association (KSA) Board of Directors meeting convened Jan. 5 in Topeka.
◆◆ Approved the policy resolutions to present to the members at the Jan. 6 Annual Meeting.
◆◆ Finalized details and work assignments for Kansas Soybean Expo 2016.
The following are highlights from the KSA Board meeting convened March 18 in Topeka.
◆◆ Contributed funding to the Iowa Biofuels Tour for congressional aides in summer 2016.
◆◆ Revised the directors’ travel policies.
◆◆ Approved the fiscal year 2017 budget.
The next Board meeting will be July 30 in either Clay or Riley County in conjunction with
the directors’ annual agribusiness tour. Association members can contact any director or
Kenlon Johannes in the office to suggest agenda items. ASA President Richard Wilkins (left)
of Greenwood, Delaware, presents the Level 2 recruiting award
to Marvin Wahl, Oswego, for signing up 72 members during 2015. It
was Wahl’s fourth consecutive year
atop the division for state associations with 300–999 members. ASA
honored him March 4 at its awards
banquet during Commodity Classic
in New Orleans, Louisiana.
A Kansas Soybean Association membership benefit
Spring 2016
Thank you,
corporate partners
Corporate partners and advertisers are extremely important to the overall effort of the Kansas Soybean Association. They provide the Association with
financial support and are links to the allied industries that provide soybean farmers with inputs and capital to manage our enterprises. KSA also relies
on corporate partners to keep us up-to-date with the latest breakthroughs in production technologies, and we all work together to create and implement
environmental and trade policies that benefit the soybean industry.
www.egebio.com
Girard National Bank • Ohlde Seed Farms • Stine Seed Co. • United Suppliers
Spring 2016
A Kansas Soybean Association membership benefit
Straight Rows
3
MEET A KSA BOARD MEMBER by Josh Falk, Robinson, Doniphan County director
Farmer-banker lends voice to soybean products, practices
B
Commentary:
A
cause we need to speak for our own
products. So many people are so far removed from farming and agriculture
that they don’t really understand why we
do what we do. In some cases, that causes
them to form opinions based on percepJosh Falk
tions instead of facts, and they may not
be true. The Board members work to educate and inform those who
may not have direct knowledge of agriculture and food production.
The political process also is going to have stronger influences on
agriculture, and it’s important for us to be able to represent our farming interests at all levels of government.
Beyond KSA, I am a member of the fire district board of directors
and the finance committee at our church. Sarah works full time for
the U.S. Department of Agriculture and does photography on the
side. We have three children: Kayte, 7; Breckan, 5; and Jace, 1. An optimistic, forward-thinking vision for the industry
KSA photo
flow of information from the expert to the
s farmers, what should our strategic vipeople. Social media “instant experts” are
sion for our f‌uture be? Optimistic and
getting a louder voice than the science exforward-thinking, according to Oklahoma
perts. Never before have humans had so
State University’s Jayson Lusk, a presenter
much access to bad inat the recent American
formation. The problem
Soybean
Association
is that public perception
(ASA) Soybean Leadership College I had the
becomes reality. One
opportunity to attend.
excellent quote shared
This three-day conferat the conference was
ence I would have to
from Abraham Lincoln:
mark up as one of the
“Public sentiment is everything. With public
best I have been to. A
sentiment, nothing can
huge thank-you to the
The Kansas delegation at Soybean
Kansas Soybean Com- Leadership College 2016 includes Kim fail. Without it, nothing
mission and your soy- Larson (front row, far left), Concordia.
can succeed.”
bean-checkoff dollars
The general public’s
for sponsoring my trip! It was great meeting
solution to the food issues circling social
soybean farmers from around the United
media is a romantic traditionalism. They
States at this conference.
have exalted the 1940s to a pedestal of the
I have been involved with the Commission
idealized family farm in their minds. But
for a few years now, beginning with its
what was the farm really like in the 1940s?
funding my graduate research on soybean
We have a tendency to forget the reality of
inoculation and most recently being in its
the past. With our technological advances,
Emerging Leaders Academy. It is great to
conservation practices, ability to produce
receive more insight into the soybean indushigher quality produce on less and many
other improvements to our farming practictry and to learn how the Commission and
the Kansas Soybean Association function to
es from the 1940s, our agriculture systems
support the soybean industry in our state.
today are highly superior to our past.
One of our challenges in the farming inOur agricultural improvements can be
tracked by data regularly compiled by the
dustry discussed at the conference was the
U.S. Department of Agriculture. Customers
current food movement that has taken over
of U.S. soy are increasingly demanding susthe population, which is largely disconnected from the farm. In fact, the public’s
tainable sourcing. ASA, the U.S. Soybean
disconnect is not only with farmers but also
Export Council, the United Soybean Board
scientists. No longer do we have the simple
and state soybean boards developed the U.S.
4 Straight Rows
KSA photo
orn and raised on a fourth-generation family farm, I officially
dove into production agriculture in 2005, when I bought my first
farm. I was able to get started by working into our family enterprise.
We raise soybeans, corn and hay and have a cow-calf herd with my
parents near Robinson in the northeastern corner of the state. We
use no-till farming on all acres. I also am a full-time vice president
for Bank of Highland, where I am a branch manager and specialize
in agricultural loans.
I became involved with the Kansas Soybean Association (KSA) in
2011 when my wife, Sarah, and I participated in the DuPont Young
Leader program. It was a great experience, and as a Young Leader,
I had an opportunity to serve on the KSA Board of Directors for
a couple of years. As of Jan. 6, I am the director from Doniphan
County. Any county with at least 25 members is entitled to its own
director on the KSA Board.
The Board provides an important voice for soybean farmers be-
A Kansas Soybean Association membership benefit
Soybean Sustainability Assurance Protocol
(SSAP) to provide proof of our environmental sustainability. The protocol is a certified,
aggregate approach to the sustainability performance of U.S. soybean production. Many
sustainable practices are already being done
by farmers. Data prove our improved practices already are occurring in our fields.
As quoted from the protocol, “within the
past 30 years, U.S. farmers have increased
their soybean yields by 55 percent on roughly the same amount of land. What makes
this possible? It’s the result of sound science
and continued research. In fact, while yields
have increased, carbon emissions, energy
use, greenhouse gas and soil erosion have
all decreased. … U.S. farmland is sustained
by families to ensure a sustainable supply to
U.S. soy’s customers.”
Let us bridge this disconnect with the
general public and be a voice to our consumers, from our neighbors to those around
the globe. We have an agricultural history to
be proud of; let’s keep an optimistic, forward-thinking vision for agriculture going
forward. We must get our message out so
we can continue our technological advancement that allows us to be a strong world
competitor in the soybean-export industry. To learn more about SSAP, visit http://
USsoy.org/sustainability on the Web. By Kim Larson, K-State Research &
Extension River Valley District cropproduction agent. Learn more about the
Emerging Leaders Academy at http://
KansasSoybeans.org/ela on the Web.
Spring 2016
96-bushel entry tops yield contest
S
KSA photos
mart seedstock selections and best farming practices helped Kanper acre. Kansas JAG Ltd., Solomon,
sas farmers overcome growing-season challenges and produce
won the value contest with 65.7
high-yielding, valuable soybeans in 2015.
cents per bushel of increased value
“The annual Kansas Soybean Yield and Value Contests recognize
(7.6 percent over the cash price).
outstanding Kansas farmers and provide fun incentives for them to
The Kansas Soybean Association Contests coordinator Doug Shoup
improve,” said Doug Shoup, Ph.D., Parsons, K‑State Research and
presented the state and district win- announces the winners.
ners with plaques or certificates and
Extension Southeast Area agronomist, who began coordinating the
monetary prizes from the Kansas Soybean Commission at the Kansas
contests last year. “They also allow the Kansas Soybean Association,
Soybean Expo, Jan. 6 in Topeka. The highest dryland and irrigated
with checkoff funding from the Kansas Soybean Commission, to
yields in the state each received a $1,000 award. In each district, first
share what participants learned to benefit all Kansas soybean farmers.”
place won $300, second earned $200, and third received $100. The
The yield contest included 54 entries, up 21 from 2014. The 35
No-till on the Plains organization supplied additional prizes for the
winners in 13 categories had verified yields averaging 74.41 bushels per acre, compared to the reported state average of 38 bushels
no-till categories.
per acre in 2015. The contest winners’ average decreased by 0.48
Complete results and award photos are available via http://
bushel per acre, while the state average increased 2 bushels per acre
KansasSoybeans.org/contests on the Web. from 2014.
The value contest had 26 entries, seven
more than in the previous year. For their
protein and oil contents, the top three entries
averaged 61 cents (7.1 percent) in increased
value over the $8.66 base cash price. In 2014,
that average was $1.52 (15.0 percent) above a
$10.18 cash price.
Richard Seck, Hutchinson, topped the
irrigated division with a no-till entry that
made 96.49 bushels per acre. Jason Taylor,
Highland, led the dryland division with a Left: Steven Seck (center) accepts his father’s award in the yield contest’s no-till, irrigated category. Right: Mark
conventional-tillage entry of 86.03 bushels Pettijohn and Dustin Conrad (second and third from left) represent Kansas JAG Ltd., which won the value contest.
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www.egebio.com
[email protected]
Straight Rows
5
Grantville family wins national conservation award
W
CSDigest photo
insor Farms, Grantville,
flat lands bordering the Kansas
received the American
River and protecting the highly
Soybean Association’s 2016
erodible hills between Lawrence
National Conservation Legacy
and Topeka.
Award during the organization’s
Andy Winsor gives much of
annual awards banquet, March
the credit for the award to the
4, at Commodity Classic in New
generations before him who
Orleans, Louisiana.
initiated the farm’s conservation program.
Prior to Winsor Farms’ recognition as the national winner,
“Grandpa and Dad started
it was named the winner of the
conservation efforts, building
Midwest Regional Conservation
terraces and waterways and
Legacy Award. The national
farming on the contour,” he
winner is chosen from the three
said. “Having those practices
regional winners.
in place allows my brother and
The Conservation Legacy
me to implement newer conThe Winsor family
servation techniques, such as
Awards program recognizes soybean farmers’ outstanding environmental and conservation achievewater management and cover crops.”
ments, which help produce more sustainable U.S. soybeans. ASA,
Andy and his wife, LaVell, farm 4,400 acres with his parents,
BASF, Monsanto, Corn & Soybean Digest and the United Soybean
Russell and Pat, and his brother and sister-in-law, Ben and Emily.
Board co-sponsor it.
Ben specializes in livestock, and Andy and Russell handle the cropping enterprise.
A video featuring all the winners can be viewed at http://j.mp/
In the program’s 15-year history, Kansas has had 10 regional
asa16cla on the Web.
winners, with three of them claiming the national award since
Since the 1940s, three generations of Winsors have worked to
2010. Learn more at http://SoyGrowers.com/conservation-legacy on
sustain soil and water resources on the family farm in northeastern
the Web. Kansas. They have taken on the challenges of safely farming sandy,
Commodity Classic sets attendance, trade-show records
KSA photos
P
Top: KSA members wordsmith a proposed policy
during the Kansas–Nebraska–Oklahoma–Texas caucus. Bottom: Dwight Meyer, Hiawatha; Gail Kueser,
Garnett; and Gary Robbins, Emmett, represent Kansas
at the ASA delegates session. Caucuses and delegates are key to ASA’s grassroots policy development.
6 Straight Rows
revious records were shattered as nearly
25 percent more people than last year
attended the Commodity Classic 2016 convention and trade show, March 3–5 in New
Orleans, Louisiana.
“For the first time in that venue and
with the Association of Equipment
Manufacturers (AEM), we were expecting a great event and got just that,” said
Charles Atkinson, Great Bend, who represents Kansas on the American Soybean
Association (ASA) Board of Directors. “A
lot of farmers left New Orleans more informed, engaged and energized.”
Total attendance was 9,770, compared
to 7,936 in 2015. Another record set was
the number of farmers attending at 4,596. The trade show featured an all-time high
of 433 companies, including 128 firsttime exhibitors.
“The trade show definitely was a highlight,” said Quentin Stoll, Yates Center, who
attended Classic as part of the Emerging
Leaders Academy. “This was a great event
to attend, with many things to experience
and take in. It was very enlightening to get a
taste of the involvement and great representation Kansas Soybean has.”
A video library that offers complete re-
cordings of more than two dozen educational sessions and the popular General
Session now is available online.
Commodity Classic attendees will find the
videos are a great way to refresh their memories and experience sessions they may have
missed. The library can help farmers brush
up on best practices, continue professional
development and share industry-leading information with others year-round.
This year’s registration included free online access to the recorded sessions from the
days registered. Other videos are available
for purchase, and the general public can buy
them, too.
The General Session, featuring Agriculture
Secretary Tom Vilsack and the leaders panel
discussing topics facing agriculture, is free
for all viewers.
The 22nd annual Commodity Classic will
be March 2–4, 2017, in San Antonio, Texas.
Established in 1996, Commodity Classic is
America’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused
convention and trade show, produced by
ASA, the National Corn Growers Association,
National Association of Wheat Growers,
National Sorghum Producers and AEM.
For more information, visit http://
CommodityClassic.com on the Web. A Kansas Soybean Association membership benefit
Spring 2016
Sen. Pat Roberts explains the National Voluntary
Bioengineered Food Labeling Standard to the ASA
Board. It was among the directors’ priority issues.
L
eaders of the Kansas Soybean Association were in Washington, D.C., March
13–16 for the American Soybean Association
Board of Directors meeting. While there,
they climbed Capitol Hill to share the industry’s legislative and regulatory priorities with
the Kansas congressional delegation.
Trade expansion. Pass the Trans-Pacific
Partnership (TPP). Achieve new market
access and eliminate barriers for U.S. soy
and meat in the Transatlantic Trade and
Investment Partnership (TTIP). Facilitate
trade and innovation in biotechnology
products by developing domestic and international “low-level presence” policies.
Improve the timeliness and predictability of
China’s and the European Union’s regulatory approvals for new biotech traits. Remove
barriers to trade with Cuba.
Environmental regulations. Abolish the
“Waters of the U.S.” proposal. Improve pollinator habitat. Oppose efforts to ban neonicotinoid crop-protection products. Fund
voluntary, incentive-based programs to
achieve water-quality and environmental
goals. Ensure that decisions about crop-protection products are based on science, the
value to crop production, and established
timelines and procedures.
Biotech and food regulation. Pre-empt
state biotech-labeling laws and establish a
national approach based on the disclosure
of biotech ingredients in food. Develop and
implement regulatory reforms that enhance
the timeliness of biotech-trait approvals and
companion herbicides. Avoid premarket approval requirements for new plant-breeding
techniques, including gene editing.
Biodiesel demand. Extend the biodiesel
tax incentive for 2017 and beyond, and shift
it from a blender to a production credit.
Implement and enforce the Renewable Fuel
Standard and World Trade Organization requirements for imported biodiesel.
Transportation and infrastructure.
Enact an energy and water appropriations
bill that increases funding for the Inland
Waterways and Harbor Maintenance
trust funds, and include funding for the
Navigation
Ecosystem
Sustainability
Program on the upper Mississippi River.
KSA photos
Kansans share priorities with federal lawmakers
Top: KSA leaders Dwight Meyer, Hiawatha; Charles
Atkinson, Great Bend; and Lucas Heinen, Everest,
meet with Rep. Mike Pompeo. Bottom: Atkinson and
Meyer visit Rep. Tim Huelskamp.
Reauthorize the Water Resources Reform
and Development Act.
Budget and appropriations. Protect
funding for crop insurance, export marketdevelopment programs, food aid, agricultural research and conservation practices on
working lands.
Aquaculture. Implement the Gulf of
Mexico Fishery Management Plan to develop an environmentally sound and economically sustainable aquaculture fishery. Cherokee County couple participates in leadership training
lass 32 of the American Soybean Association’s (ASA’s) DuPont
Young Leader program completed its training March 1–5 in
New Orleans, Louisiana, in conjunction with the annual Commodity Classic convention and trade show.
“For many years, the DuPont Young Leader program has identified
new and emerging leaders in the soybean industry and trained them
to be strong voices for agriculture,” said Kansas Soybean Association
(KSA) Chairman Terry Reschke, Hiawatha. “We’re grateful to
DuPont for its commitment to the soybean industry’s future.”
While in New Orleans, the Young Leaders participated in leadership and marketing training, issues updates, and discussions. They
were recognized at ASA’s annual awards banquet.
The 2016 class included Matthew Atkinson, Columbus, and his fiancée, MaryAnn Ross. The Midwest Producer article about them is at
http://bit.ly/22Wj9ps on the Web. As a Young Leader, Matthew will
serve on the KSA Board of Directors for the next three years.
For more information about the program, visit http://
KansasSoybeans.org/dyl. Spring 2016
ASA photo
C
Kevin Diehl (left), DuPont Pioneer’s industry-affairs director, and ASA President
Richard Wilkins (right) congratulate Kansas’ 2016 Young Leaders, MaryAnn Ross
and Matthew Atkinson. They farm with Matthew’s grandfather near Columbus.
A Kansas Soybean Association membership benefit
Straight Rows
7
KSA opposes commerce bill, supports transportation measure
ansas grain elevators report that
many provisions of HB 2356 would
be extremely burdensome and costly to
implement. In some cases, they would be
impossible due to architectural challenges.
The Kansas House commerce committee is considering the bill, which concerns
the safety of “elevators, escalators, platform
lifts, stairway chairlifts, dumbwaiters, moving walks, automated people movers and
other conveyances.”
It is not difficult to imagine country elevators’ additional costs would be passed to their
customers, including soybean farmers, so the
Kansas Soybean Association (KSA) submitted written testimony Feb. 3 to oppose it.
“It doesn’t seem prudent, in these days
of agricultural economy challenges and
sluggish commodity prices, to risk adding more dollars and regulations for rural
KSA photo
K
KSA directors Gail Kueser, Garnett, and Cody Barilla,
Turon, welcome legislators and Statehouse employees to KSA’s legislative luncheon. It was Feb. 2.
Kansas business and farmers,” said the statement, which KSA President Raylen Phelon,
Melvern, signed.
Supporters of HB 2356 indicated they
would agree to exempt grain elevators from
the bill. It appears there will be no action on
it, however.
Feb. 17, KSA presented the House transportation committee with written testimony
to support HB 2644. It allows trucks carrying seasonally harvested crops from fields to
storage (or from storage to market) to carry
loads greater than the weight limits allowed
for other trucks.
The exemption will enable farmers to
transport an additional 153 bushels of soybeans per load. That would result in fewer
truck trips, fewer gallons of fuel consumed,
fewer carbon emissions and reduced fuel
costs. Further, KSA supported amending the
bill to exempt vehicles carrying livestock.
The Association also took the opportunity to support amending Kansas Statute
8-1909 to allow adding an additional
axle to heavier trucks. Doing so would
improve motorist safety and preserve
Kansas infrastructure, according to a Soy
Transportation Coalition study, which KSA
attached to its testimony. Atkinson joins ASA Board of Directors
G
ASA photo
reat Bend’s Charles Atkinson took
his seat as the Kansas Soybean Association’s (KSA’s) new representative
at the American Soybean Association
Board of Directors meeting in December. He succeeded Bob Henry, Robinson, who served for the nine-year limit.
Straight Rows asked Atkinson a few
Charles Atkinson
questions to introduce him to the KSA
membership.
When and in what capacity did you join the KSA Board? In 2002, I
was the DuPont Young Leader, and the Board created a one-year position for the Young Leader. After that, Barton County had enough
members to seat a director, and I was elected to that role.
In what leadership positions have you served KSA? I’ve chaired the
Expo, staff-management and Board-development committees and
been secretary, second and first vice president, president, and chairman.
Why do you think KSA and ASA are important? Every day, our
business – whether it be production agriculture or agricultural business – comes under attack by special interest groups that want to tell
us what we are doing wrong. Farmers support the checkoff or make
personal contributions to universities to help improve their practices
and products. And they belong to organizations that support their
cause. KSA and ASA both promote agriculture and let our representatives and industry partners know we mean business in feeding
the world.
Why did you pursue the ASA opportunity? Working with KSA,
I saw how important it is to make sure national leaders hear the
farmer’s voice. I am interested in international trade, improving our
infrastructure, reducing hunger domestically and globally, and developing new uses for our soybeans. With all that in mind, I wanted
to make a difference and support our way of life.
How did you get your start in production agriculture? Growing up
on the farm, I guess I have been involved in production agriculture
all my life. I got my start when my father gave me 4 acres to grow
8 Straight Rows
whatever I wanted. My first crop was soybeans. I enjoyed growing all
crops, but my heart was in growing soybeans, trying new varieties
and different planting techniques. Now no-till and intense crop rotation are important parts of our management.
Describe your farming and other professional endeavors. Being
part of a smaller farm, I knew there were not enough acres to sustain two families, but I wanted to help farmers as much as possible.
I was fortunate to have a strong FFA chapter that exposed me to
several aspects of agriculture. At Kansas State University, I studied
agronomy with an emphasis on natural resource management. I interned with the Soil Conservation Service (now Natural Resources
Conservation Service) and started a career with the U.S. Department
of Agriculture. Through that choice, I have been able to stay involved
in the farm, assisting my father, while helping other farmers across
the state.
Tell us about your family. I have a wonderful, supportive family
who are part of everything I do. My wife is a preschool teacher at Holy
Family School in Great Bend, and she is dedicated to teaching her
young students life skills and to preparing them for a Christian education. I have three adult children, two grandchildren and two more
on the way. My oldest daughter works in customer service for a financial institution, my youngest daughter is an occupational therapist,
and my son has returned to the farm to work with his grandfather.
What are your other activities? I am a community leader of our
local 4-H club, president of the Barton County Fair Association, advisor to the Golden Belt Residue Management Alliance, director of
the Kansas Fairs and Festivals Association, and a leader at Prince of
Peace Catholic Church. I enjoy family, friends, barbecue and gourmet cooking, college football, baseball, and playing golf.
What else do you want our readers to know? There are several
worthwhile organizations and commodity groups to work with, and
I firmly believe that life is not a spectator sport. KSA and ASA leaders, members and staff serve soybean producers and other farmers
to make sure agriculture’s voice is heard and to let consumers know
agriculture is built on commitment, hard work and sound science. A Kansas Soybean Association membership benefit
Spring 2016
About 2 dozen proposals could affect Kansas agriculture
I
KSA photo
◆ SB 64 limits the powers of rural water districts.
n addition to commenting on two bills (see page 8) and constantly
◆ SB 125 states, when land to which a water-benefit unit is attached
monitoring the state-budget situation, the Kansas Soybean Assois the subject of foreclosure, the benefit unit shall
ciation (KSA) is tracking the following pieces of
not be forfeited or can be reinstated.
legislation during the 2016 session.
◆ SB 314 concerns the local farm and food task
◆ HB 2059 relates to chemigation.
force.
◆ HB 2156 concerns groundwater-management
◆ SB 322 provides an application process and
rules and regulations and court procedures.
sets fees for surface-water permits.
◆ HB 2479 relates to noxious weeds.
◆ SB 329, concerning water, allows carryover and
◆ HB 2481 relates to water and multiyear flex
place-of-use changes for multiyear flex accounts.
accounts.
◆ SB 337 pertains to water appropriation and
◆ HB 2490 relates to plant pests and commoduse reporting.
ity certifications.
◆ SB 384 amends the Nongame and Endangered
◆ HB 2491 relates to water appropriation and
Species Conservation Act.
use reporting.
◆ SB 412 grants the use of an existing water
◆ HB 2492 and SB 330 establish the Kansas
easement in Johnson County for hydropower
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program.
generation.
◆ HB 2510 concerns the state water plan.
◆ SB 425 allows county commissions to establish
◆ HB 2511 concerns lakes, reservoirs, municipal
or regulate conservation easements.
water supplies and water wells.
◆ SB 474 transfers the authority to privatize the
◆ HB 2595 relates to the regulation of consumerKansas Bioscience Authority from the Legislature
incentive items and the labeling of food by politiKSA President Raylen Phelon, Melvern, visto the State Finance Council.
cal subdivisions.
its with state Rep. Ken Rahjes, Agra, durBoth chambers concluded the regular session
◆ HB 2598 concerns rural water districts.
ing the “Wake Up to Kansas Agriculture”
March 25. Leadership chose to shorten it by near◆ HR 6045 calls on the federal government to use legislative breakfast. It was Feb. 9.
sound scientific principles in researching croply two weeks, holding several items for the veto
protecting chemistries and chemicals. KSA supports the resolution
session. When lawmakers return April 27, there will be a lot of work
through the Kansas Agriculture Alliance.
to do before they can adjourn for the year. TURNING YOUR DOLLARS INTO FUTURE DEMAND
THE KANSAS SOYBEAN COMMISSION is
BREEDING, CROPPING AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS
that works to grow the soy industry in
Researching efficient cropping systems and management practices
that have minimal effect on the environment helps soybean farmers
to meet consumers’ needs.
our state – and nationwide. As soybean
SOY CONSUMPTION
an organization of active soybean farmers
farmers, we’re focused on farmers’
priorities and make checkoff decisions
that help to grow farmers’ bottom lines.
Increasing the utilization of soy in livestock feed and finding
innovative uses for soy in human nutrition ensure future success.
NEW USES
Helping to develop and commercialize new industrial uses for soy
means more demand for farmers’ soybeans.
FARMER OUTREACH
www.KansasSoybeans.org
877-KS-SOYBEAN
Providing up-to-date information about soybean pricing, crop
disappearance, market share, crop-insurance options, yield
protection, farm-program considerations and marketing options
helps farmers to make smart decisions.
INTERNATIONAL MARKETS
Expanding international customers’ use of soy in markets like China,
Mexico and Japan has the potential to create record-level demand
for your crop.
©2014 United Soybean Board
KS Image ad.indd 1
Spring 2016
8/26/14 10:14 AM
A Kansas Soybean Association membership benefit
Straight Rows
9
Volume 20, Issue 3 | Spring 2016
1000 SW Red Oaks Place
Topeka, Kansas 66615-1207
Calendar of events
April 21
April 29
May 3–5
May 5–6
May 6
May 11
May 18–19
May 25–27
May 31–June 3
June 2
June 3–4
June 13–17
June 26–28
July 11–13
July 20–22
July 22–24
July 28–30
July 30
Parsons kids day, Parsons
Jefferson West kids day, Meriden
#FarmFoodTour 2.0
Animal Ag Alliance stakeholders summit,
Washington, D.C.
Geary County ag day, Junction City
Riley County kids’ ag day, Manhattan
North American Animal Agriculture Strategy Conference, Oak
Brook, Illinois
U.S. Meat Export Federation board meeting & product showcase,
Saint Louis, Missouri
Kansas FFA convention, Manhattan
Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom summer conference, Salina
Emerging Leaders Academy (Class 3, Phase 1), Topeka
USA Poultry & Egg Export Council board of directors meeting,
North Lake Tahoe, California
National Biodiesel Board meeting, Washington, D.C.
American Soybean Association Board of Directors meeting,
Washington, D.C.
United Soybean Board meeting, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Four State Farm Show, Pittsburg
Kansas Soybean leaders’ annual agribusiness tour, Clay Center–
Manhattan area
Kansas Soybean Association Board of Directors meeting, Clay or
Riley County
2016 WICHITA
FARM & RANCH SHOW
November 8 ~ 9 ~ 10
Kansas Pavilions
1279 East 85th Street North
Park City, Kansas
Tuesday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Wednesday 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
Thursday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Free Admission / Free Parking
2017 TOPEKA FARM SHOW
January 10 ~ 11 ~ 12
Kansas Expocentre
One Expocentre Drive
Topeka, Kansas
Tuesday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Wednesday 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Thursday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Free Admission / Free Parking