Fort Scott farmer takes a closer look at the soy

News from the Kansas Soybean Commission – the soybean checkoff | Fall 2012
Fort Scott farmer takes a closer look at the soy checkoff
F
rom fuel to food, Fort Scott soybean farmer David
Foster witnessed first-hand some of the many ways
soybeans are used during the United Soybean Board’s
(USB’s) 2012 See for Yourself program.
Sponsored by the national soy checkoff, the annual program offered Foster and nine other soybean farmers from
across the country the chance to tour a number of sites
related to its objectives to improve the value of U.S. soy
meal and oil; ensure the industry and its customers have
the freedom and infrastructure to operate; and meet the
needs of U.S. soy customers.
“I’m thankful and have a broader appreciation because
of the opportunity to take part in the See for Yourself
program,” Foster said. “Taking the time away from my
own operation was a sacrifice, yet I have gained a greater
understanding about how USB works to increase domestic
and international market demand, explore new opportunities, and maximize the yield potentials of the soybeans
we plant.”
Participants began the tour in Saint Louis, Mo. They
heard about the work of each checkoff program area at
USB’s headquarters. They then toured a barge-loading
facility on the Mississippi River, met with a soybean
researcher to discuss advancements in soybeans and visited Lambert–Saint Louis International Airport, which
uses biodiesel in much of its equipment.
In Mexico, participants got a glimpse of soy use in the
U.S. soy industry’s second-biggest international market.
They visited a company that imports more than 600,000
tons of U.S. soybeans each year to crush for oil in the
frying and baking industry. Participants also toured two
food-production companies that fortify their products
Courtesy photo
from David Foster
David Foster examines a biodiesel-powered snow-removal rig at the
Saint Louis airport during the See for Yourself tour.
with soy, a great source of protein. The country also is the
largest international market for U.S. soy meal, and they
toured two dairy farms that use it in feed.
“The checkoff started the See for Yourself program to
give soybean farmers the opportunity to evaluate specific
checkoff-funded research and promotional activities, as
well as interact with checkoff leadership,” said Rick Stern, a
New Jersey soybean farmer and chairman of the USB audit
and evaluation committee, which sponsors the program.
“The participants get an in-depth look into the checkoff, and as directors, we gain so much from our conversations with the participants and their take on checkoff
programs. We had an exceptional group of participants
this year and really value their comments and ideas.”
Soybean commission candidates approach Nov. 30 filing deadline
T
he Kansas Department of
Agriculture reminds prospective
candidates for the Kansas Soybean
Commission to gather signatures
from fellow farmers in their districts
before Nov. 30 for next year’s election. It will cover districts 7, 8 and 9
in the eastern third of Kansas.
A candidate must have been
actively engaged in soybean farming
within the last five years and must
gather 20 signatures – with no more
than five from any one county – from
eligible district voters to be included
on the 2013 ballot. Eligible vot-
ers are Kansas residents who are at
least 18 years old by the election and
who have grown soybeans for the last
three years.
Candidate packets are available
from the Kansas Department of
Agriculture, www.ksda.gov or 785296-3556, or the Kansas Soybean
Commission, www.KansasSoybeans.
org or 877-KS-SOYBEAN (877577-6923).
Soy candles: another bright idea for supporting U.S. farmers
T
KSC photo by Leanne Milleret
here is a renewable,
replace paraffin candles in
eco-friendly, biodethe future.
gradable and sustainable
To produce soy wax, soyalternative to paraffinbean-processing facilities
based candles in a product
start by cleaning, cracking
made from 100 percent soy
and dehulling the soybeans.
oil that is American grown,
The product is then heated
processed and marketed.
to 75 degrees Celsius to gel
Soy
candles
were
the proteins to make the oil
invented in 1991 by
extraction easier.
Candleworks
owner
Flakes are created with
Michael Richards, who
an extractor then emerged
wanted an alternative to Pure Scented Candles of Olathe ( www.PureScentedCandles.com ) hand- into a hexane solvent that
paraffin-based
candles. makes each order with natural soy wax. The company offers candles in attracts the soy oil, resultseveral scents and sizes, and it can custom-label many of its products.
After years of small modiing in flakes with 1 percent
fications, in 1995, the first
oil content. The flakes can
soy candles became available to the public. From 1995 to
produce textured soy flour, protein concentrate and iso2000, Richards perfected his soy wax, and Cargill purlate, or soybean meal.
chased his patent in 2001. Today Kansas has two soyAn evaporator separates the oil–hexane mixture, creatbean-processing facilities that produce soy wax: Cargill
ing crude soy oil. Purification is necessary to remove oilof Wichita and Bunge of Emporia.
insoluble material by filtration. Degumming, refining and
Larry Reese, the owner of Pure Scented Candles in
bleaching remove the soluble materials.
Olathe, said the most exciting aspect of soy candles is that
The final step, hydrogenation, converts fatty acids
“it supports the American farmer.” Production of soy canfrom unsaturated to saturated by heating an oil and
dles helps support the U.S. economy by making a market
hydrogen mixture to 140–225 degrees Celsius in the
for soy oil (traditionally a byproduct), thus increasing the
presence of a nickel catalyst. The result is stable molvalue of soybeans.
ecules that help increase the wax’s thickness and allow
“All of my candles are handmade by me in Olathe,”
for a higher melting point. The soy wax then is comReese said. He enjoys making an all-natural product that
plete and ready for candlemakers and customers to
enjoy its benefits.
By Leanne Milleret, a KSC sumcould have originated from farms in Kansas. Sixty milmer intern and junior in agricultural economics at Kansas
lion bushels of soybeans – more than half of the 2011
State University.
Kansas soybean crop – would be needed if soy candles
Barton County Fair wins
Green Ribbon designation
W
Soy Notes | News from the Kansas Soybean Commission – the soybean checkoff | Fall 2012
hec
ht t
yc
ug
b ro
2
k off
ith biodiesel powering carnival rides, soy-based
paint freshening up show barns, and soy-based
cleaning products getting the grounds ready, 13 fairs
were a little greener this year, thanks to help from the
United Soybean Board (USB), the national soy checkoff.
Through the Green Ribbon Fairs reimbursement program, the checkoff worked with fairs across the country to promote the use of soy-based products, such as
biodiesel, paint, cleaners and hand sanitizers. For the
program’s second year, USB selected 13 fairs through a
competitive application process. Each used soy-based products and
helped educate fairgoers.
The Barton County Fair in Great Bend was one of the chosen fairs.
Its reimbursement went toward soy-based paint for doors, soy-based
degreaser, biodiesel for the carnival equipment and soy-based ink for
the fair books. The fair has used various soy-based products for the
last eight years.
o you by the
so
Kansas ag leaders travel to Asia
S
everal Kansas farmers, ranchers
and agribusiness leaders showcased the state’s strong agricultural
sector during a 10-day trade mission
to South Korea and China.
Kansas Secretary of Agriculture
Dale Rodman led the delegation
that departed Sept. 15. Among its
18 members were Kansas Soybean
Association
(KSA)
President
Charles Atkinson, Great Bend,
and Kansas Soybean Commission
Administrator Kenlon Johannes.
The trip included meetings with
business and government leaders and
existing buyers of Kansas ag products. The delegation also met with
potential buyers and toured importing and processing facilities.
“Our trade mission not only gave
us an opportunity to meet with current and potential buyers, but it also
was an opportunity to see American
products on store shelves in South
Korea and China and offered us
a first-hand view of agriculture in
those important export markets,”
Atkinson said.
The delegation began the mission with a three-day stay in Seoul,
South Korea, where the group
explored ways for Kansas farmers and ranchers to benefit more
from the free-trade agreement that
went into effect March 15. Under
the agreement, South Korea eliminated or began phasing out tariffs
and quotas on a broad range of U.S.
ag products.
The group members spent the
rest of the trip between Beijing,
Shenyang and Changchun in China,
learning more about the Chinese
marketplace, its growing middle
class, and its crop-production and
food-processing capabilities.
In both countries, the delegation worked to build relationships
with new buyers while also thanking current buyers of Kansas ag
products. South Korea and China
are important markets for U.S. and
Kansas agriculture. In 2011, Kansas
ag exports to South Korea totaled
$125.2 million, and exports to China
totaled $49.7 million.
Good morning, Topeka …
KSC photo by Kenlon Johannes
KSA President Charles Atkinson, Great Bend,
looks at a row-width soybean-demonstration
plot at a government research farm in China.
Soy Notes is a service of the
Kansas Soybean Commission
– the soybean checkoff.
SM
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 | [email protected]
Commissioners
Districts 1, 2 & 3........................ Kurt Maurath, Oakley
[email protected]
District 4..........................................Ron Ohlde, Palmer
[email protected]
District 5...............................Kent Romine, Great Bend
[email protected]
District 6..........................Dennis Gruenbacher, Andale
[email protected]
District 7............................... James Zwonitzer, Horton
[email protected]
District 8...............................Bob Haselwood, Berryton
[email protected]
District 9.......................................Mike Bellar, Howard
[email protected]
At-large.................................. Jerry Jeschke, Robinson
[email protected]
Lance Rezac, Onaga
[email protected]
2012–2013 Officers
Chairman................................................ Jerry Jeschke
Vice Chairman............................................. Ron Ohlde
Secretary................................................. Kurt Maurath
Treasurer........................................... James Zwonitzer
United Soybean Board Directors
Craig Gigstad, Valley Falls...... [email protected]
Bob Haselwood, [email protected]
Ron Ohlde, Palmer......................... [email protected]
WIBW-TV photo
Charlene Patton, consumer-media specialist for the Kansas Soybean Commission, joins meteorologist Drew Switzer (left) and anchorman Chris Fisher in the WIBW-TV newsroom for the 13
News This Morning program. While the news personalities generally get to enjoy Charlene’s soyfoods recipes during her appearances, Nado, the “Weather Lab,” (lower left) particularly enjoyed
that morning’s segment. Charlene’s soy-based “Special Puppy Treats” recipe is available in the
“Children’s Recipes” section of her page on the www.KansasSoybeans.org website.
Staff
Administrator....................................Kenlon Johannes
Director of Field Services...................... Dennis Hupe
Director of Communications................... Brad Parker
Director of Operations......................Adam O’Trimble
Accounting Assistant........................... Dawn Bradley
Administrative Assistant................ Mary Lou Dillman
Fall 2012 | News from the Kansas Soybean Commission – the soybean checkoff | Soy Notes
3
Zarco 66 promotes biodiesel
T
he Zarco 66 Earth Friendly Fuel Station at Ninth
and Iowa streets in Lawrence offered Energy
Independence Biofuels Discount Days this summer.
Customers already were waiting in line for station owner
Scott Zaremba to drop the prices of biodiesel and ethanol
$1 at 10 a.m. June 16 and 30. KMXN-FM 92.9 broadcasted from the site, telling listeners about the promotion.
Driving almost an hour out
of his way, one customer was
happy to fill up his biodieselpowered Volkswagen Jetta.
He also expressed his hopes
for more stations closer to his
home that offer the cleaner,
American-made fuel. Others
had the opportunity to try the
fuel for the first time, and many
brought containers to fill their
KSC photo by Emily Relph
tractors at home with biodiesel.
A repeat customer stocks up
“We’re happy to do advertison biodiesel during Discount ing and promotions like this,”
Days and saves $1 per gallon. Zaremba said. “It not only
rewards our loyal customers for
coming back time and time again, but it also gets the word
out there, gets the community talking and lets new people
know about what we’re doing here at Zarco.”
The Kansas Soybean Commission, United Soybean
Board, Kansas City Regional Clean Cities Coalition,
Renewable Fuels Association and Kansas Corn
Commission co-sponsored the discount days. See video
from one of the events at http://j.mp/zarco66 on the Web.
There’s help for tough decisions
M
any Kansas farmers learned from this summer’s
drought that they might need help in making some
difficult decisions about their enterprises, including operating changes or reductions; restructuring or refinancing
loans and accounts; and strategic planning.
The Kansas Agricultural Mediation Services (KAMS)
has been assisting Kansas agriculturists for 24 years in
making informed and well-reasoned decisions about
their futures.
KAMS is a program within K-State Research and
Extension that provides confidential information and services. Through a toll-free hotline (800-321-3276) farmers
have access to guidance, information and referrals to helpful professionals.
Farm financial counseling and low-cost, on-farm
analysis are available through the K-State Research and
Extension Farm Analyst Program. The Farm Mediation
Legal Counseling Program at Kansas Legal Services provides direct legal assistance at an affordable rate.
In many cases, the KAMS financial and legal counselors help clients resolve issues without mediation. If
necessary, however, KAMS provides specially trained ag
mediators to help resolve conflicts and disputes.
Explore the KAMS website ( www.ksre.ksu.edu/kams ) to
learn more.
Entertainment, agriculture leaders take part in panel discussions
F
our sessions over
two days brought
together entertainment
movers and shakers,
chefs, academics, restaurateurs,
journalists, local leaders, and
agriculturists for in-depth conversations about food. The U.S. Farmers
and Ranchers Alliance’s (USFRA’s)
Food Dialogues event, titled “Lights,
Camera, Food: Perceptions and
Realities of Farming and Ranching
in America,” was June 20–21 in Los
Angeles, Calif.
“The experts involved in the event
set the stage for dynamic and productive discussions,” said Jerry Jeschke,
Robinson, then the Kansas Soybean
Commission (KSC) vice chairman,
4
who attended with KSC Director of
Field Services Dennis Hupe.
Those discussions centered on the
portrayal of food and agriculture in
popular culture; the role urban farms
play in their communities; the roles
of science and technology in agriculture; and food sourcing’s effects on
how farmers, ranchers, chefs and others grow, raise, buy and serve healthy
choices for people everywhere.
USFRA recognizes Americans
have important questions about
food, how it is produced and how it
affects our health. The
alliance helps farmers
and ranchers answer
consumers’ and influencers’ questions about
food production.
Including a wide range of prominent farmer- and rancher-led organizations – including KSC – and
agricultural partners, USFRA is the
first collaboration among national,
regional and state ag groups to lead
the dialogue and answer Americans’
questions about how we raise our
food while being stewards of the
environment, responsibly caring for
our animals, and maintaining strong
businesses and communities.
Soy Notes | News from the Kansas Soybean Commission – the soybean checkoff | Fall 2012