January 7, 2014

US launches programme for soy farmers

The United Soy Board (USB) is inviting all US soy farmers over the age of 18 to apply and participate in the seventh annual 'See for Yourself' programme to see the checkoff up close and the work it does to improve the bottom lines for US soy farmers across the country.

"The See for Yourself programme is a once-in-a-lifetime experience," said David Hartke, chair of USB's Audit & Evaluation committee, which sponsors See for Yourself. "Participants get the opportunity to see the checkoff up close and the work it does to improve the bottom lines for US soy farmers across the country."

The programme offers 10 US soy farmers the chance to learn about and evaluate specific investment areas of the soy checkoff, such as international marketing, animal agriculture, industrial uses and soy farmers' freedom to operate.

Participants first travel to St. Louis, to witness firsthand, the operations of the checkoff and visit local sites related to domestic uses for soy. Then, since about half of the soy produced in the US is exported, participants will travel internationally to experience how international customers use soy.

The programme is scheduled to take place August 15-22 and USB will cover all related rooming, meal and travel expenses. The 70 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximise profit opportunities for all US soy farmers. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of US soymeal and oil, to ensure US soy farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of US soy's customers. As stipulated in the federal Soy Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.