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. 

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

Explaining the Soybean Checkoff

Source: Texas A&M University, 2014

AND THOSE $ GO TO

NATIONAL

USDA OVERSIGHT

AND THOSE $ GO TO

HALF OF THOSE FUNDSSTAY WITH THE

NATIONALOVERSIGHT

1/2 of 1% OF THE TOTALSELLING PRICE GOES TO THE

STATE SOYBEAN BOARD

AND THE OTHER HALF GOES TOTHE UNITED SOYBEAN BOARD

Education

Research

Marketing Invested by farmer-run boardsfor local and state needs.

Education

Research

Marketing Invested by farmer-run USBfor regional and national needs.

RETURNING $5.20FOR EVERY $1 INVESTED

CHECKOFF MATH

RETURNS TO FARMER

FARMER SELLS BEANS

Soy Assessment Training Tool.pdf 1 9/10/13 2:57 PM

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 3

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

SM

Explaining the Soybean Checkoff

Source: Texas A&M University, 2014

AND THOSE $ GO TO

NATIONAL

USDA OVERSIGHT

AND THOSE $ GO TO

HALF OF THOSE FUNDSSTAY WITH THE

NATIONALOVERSIGHT

1/2 of 1% OF THE TOTALSELLING PRICE GOES TO THE

STATE SOYBEAN BOARD

AND THE OTHER HALF GOES TOTHE UNITED SOYBEAN BOARD

Education

Research

Marketing Invested by farmer-run boardsfor local and state needs.

Education

Research

Marketing Invested by farmer-run USBfor regional and national needs.

RETURNING $5.20FOR EVERY $1 INVESTED

CHECKOFF MATH

RETURNS TO FARMER

FARMER SELLS BEANS

Soy Assessment Training Tool.pdf 1 9/10/13 2:57 PM

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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