ASA Chairman Outlines How He Will Respond to the Request For Referendum   "If you’re not opposed to the soybean checkoff and you want it to continue, you don’t have to do a thing," advises Mike Yost, Chairman of the American Soybean Association. You don’t have to go in and sign because all you’re asking for is an opportunity to vote. If you are in favor of the checkoff, you don’t have to worry about that because you don’t have to vote on something you want to continue anyway. "It’s been very advantageous for soybean growers to go to Congress, and go to the Department of Agriculture and say, now listen, the soybean farmers are out there with this self-help program called the checkoff. That leverage really helps us obtain more government dollars because they are much more interested in helping us when we’re willing to help ourselves. We’ve had some research successes at the University of Minnesota, and Minnesota soybean growers have invested a significant amount in international marketing over the last couple of years, including funds to open a new office in Istanbul, Turkey. The national soybean checkoff has been of great benefit to U.S. soybean farmers. The numbers speak for themselves in the amount of soybeans we export. There has been a huge increase in the bushels we’ve exported over the last few years, and without a doubt, part of that is attributed to the checkoff and all of the promotional work it has funded," Yost added.

Arkansas State President Believes Referendum Not Necessary  "It seems obvious to me, if you support the checkoff and you feel like you’re getting good benefits from it, as I do, then the logical thing to do is to not have the referendum," according to Gary Sitzer, president of the Arkansas Soybean Association. "My opinion is, we’re investing a relatively small percentage and using it to develop markets for our products. When you start doing research activities, it’s hard to predict which ones may develop into profitable opportunities on down the road. My personal feelings have always been that all of our checkoff money, particularly on the production research side, has always been very worthwhile, extremely beneficial and it has paid huge dividends. We’ve had significant amounts of research work done here in Arkansas. The research teams have been extremely responsive and their work has been guided by the checkoff money administrators, who are all soybean farmers. The results of this research have been brought right to Arkansas farmers in a very timely manner. The variety trials information and herbicide research activities are extremely important for most of us. There is no need voting on something you’re happy with," Sitzer added.

Illinois Past President Ford Advocates Not Signing Petition "New uses are very important," says Dwain Ford, past president of the Illinois Soybean Association and a member of the ASA Executive Committee. "We have to not only be able to promote and sell our product, but we have to continue to work on coming up with new uses for our product. The checkoff dollars are helping out in research projects where they are developing new uses for our soybeans, and in other checkoff funded research they are developing ways to help us fight soybean diseases so we can farm more profitably. I’m also familiar with a checkoff funded project in Mexico called the quality seal program that’s working very well to help sell more U.S. soybeans in that country, and there’s another checkoff funded project in Columbia that is working with pre-school children and their parents to teach them how to grind up whole roasted soybeans to make different foods out of it. Checkoff-funded programs like this could become models for all of Latin and South America, and throughout the world to help build markets for U.S. soybeans. If a farmer supports the checkoff, I would recommend that they not sign the petition. A referendum will only be held if enough people sign the petition. That will send a signal to Secretary Glickman that soybean farmers want a referendum, and if a producer feels the checkoff is working, then they don’t need a referendum," Ford explains.

Iowa State President Finds No Reason to Sign Petition "I think the checkoff has done a great job in promoting soybeans, especially overseas, and also in research for new soybean varieties and new uses for our soybeans," said Bill Foell, president of the Iowa Soybean Association. "Number one, the most important thing is, does it sell soybeans? When we find a new use for our beans that creates demand. Anything we can do for new uses helps the profitability of soybean farmers. "I was particularly pleased with the results of a checkoff funded research program at the University of Northern Iowa where they developed soy-based oils for use in hydraulic systems. This will increase demand for soybean oil and would be especially important in environmentally sensitive areas because soybean oil is biodegradable. Now they’re working on grease products and other kinds of lubricants. "All I can say is that for every dollar that’s been spent from the checkoff, we’ve received eight dollars in return. I think that’s a good return on our investment. I know the sheep referendum didn’t pass and those people are really hurting now. They realized too late what benefits a checkoff can provide. I think if you’re happy with the checkoff the way it is, there’s no reason to sign the petition," Foell added.

ASA President Curtis Offers Advice About Petitions "Soybean producers are getting a big return on their investment from increased exports, new product development and from the research that’s being funded by checkoff dollars, particularly here in the South," said ASA President Marc Curtis. "I think the checkoff is a big help. If you go back and look at what average yields have done in Mississippi since the checkoff began, you can see a dramatic improvement. And if you look to see why average yields are up, it’s due to a new agronomic system that we have incorporated that was largely developed with checkoff funded research. Without the checkoff, we would lose all of the funding for our international marketing programs. Without our checkoff dollars we wouldn’t have the cooperator portion necessary to leverage another $9 million of funding from USDA’s Foreign Ag Service." Curtis questions "if we can’t service our export markets, South American farmers and our competitors in India, and maybe even in China, would quickly move into those markets, and then where would we be?" "Any farmer that agrees with the checkoff need not, and I want to emphasize ‘not’, sign the petition. The petition is to ask for a referendum, and the easiest way to support the checkoff is for us not to have a referendum. Producers that support the checkoff can just throw those petitions away when they come," Curtis stated emphatically.

Indiana State President Says Checkoff Has Done Wonderful Job "I think, as farmers, we have to pursue things to promote our product," said Harvey Miller, president of the Indiana Soybean Association. "The checkoff has done a wonderful job of coming out with new items like the soy crayons, and the soy candle wax they introduced at the Farm Progress Show. There’s a lot of new uses for soybeans, and I think we have only scratched the surface for what is to come in the future. I feel confident that the majority of farmers feel the same way I do, that they are going to have to have somebody somewhere to continue promoting our soybeans and production level, and to expand export markets. If we don’t, I think our markets will dry up over a period of time. If farmers support the soybean checkoff, they should not sign the upcoming petition. By not signing the petition, they will be helping to assure that the checkoff will remain in place."

Nebraska Leader Advises Growers On Advantages Of The Checkoff "Personally, if someone would ask me, I would say that if you’re happy with the checkoff, there’s no need to go and vote for a referendum," said Ron Schmidt, chairman of the Nebraska Soybean Association. "I’m afraid too many farmers may be near-sighted and just say prices are not very good right now, so we do not need the checkoff. I feel too many would not look at the benefits that have been there, and the benefits that there are going to be." Values Schmidt sited include the recent acceptance by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of soy- or soy-based foods as a health benefit, and the bright future for biodiesel. Schmidt speculated that the development of biodiesel will increase the demand for soybean oil. "Even though prices are low," Schmidt said, "the checkoff is still a tremendous bonus for farmers, and without it farmers may be facing more serious price problems right now."

Missouri Soybean Association President Cites Benefits of Checkoff Funds from the Soybean Checkoff have contributed to numerous projects, which have been a direct benefit to the producers, said Neal Bredehoeft, president of the Missouri Soybean Association. This statement is important in light of the upcoming poll to decide whether or not to have a referendum for the soybean checkoff. "If farmers support the checkoff, there really is not much they need to do at this point," Bredehoeft said. "I am very much in support of the checkoff because I definitely think it has done the soybean industry in this country a lot of good. One thing I always felt is that whatever commodity we grow out here on our farms, we need to get out and promote it, and these checkoff dollars really do that for us."

S.D. Association Chairman Advises Farmers About the Checkoff Poll Producers and leaders are gearing up for the vote on the poll for the checkoff referendum that will decide whether or not to continue the checkoff, and leaders continue to advise producers of the benefits of the checkoff. Bob Metz, chairman of the South Dakota Soybean Association, said, "If you’re satisfied with the way your checkoff dollars are being spent, you really have to do nothing and it will stay in place. In my opinion of it, the facts are there, and we’re getting a heck of a return for our investment."

Minnesota Association President Says Checkoff is Valuable to Farmers Although the market is experiencing low prices, on average the 1990s have shown a profit, and worldwide production of soybeans has increased, said Gary Joachim, president of the Minnesota Soybean Association. If not for checkoff funded programs through ASA and the United Soybean Board, many offices would not be open, he said. Furthermore, the value of the checkoff is evident in production research, he said. The Minnesota Association helped sponsor a program called Take The Test And Beat The Pest. This year many more times the number of soil tests have been done for cyst nematode than ever before at the University of Minnesota. Those tests were made possible in part by financial incentives from the Soybean Checkoff Board in Minnesota. "I think we’ve got a pretty good system with the soybean checkoff," Joachim said. "The reason I don’t care to go through a referendum is that the cost of the referendum is going to basically be taken out of checkoff funds. If the producer is satisfied, he really doesn’t need to do anything at this point in time."

Ohio President Touts Value of Checkoff Ohio Soybean Association President David Hand said the biggest value of the national soybean checkoff to soybean producers is the increased use of soybeans. With checkoff dollars, Hand said the Ohio checkoff has helped fund several overseas offices. Also thanks to checkoff dollars, Hand said the Ohio association has been able to conduct several research projects that have made a significant contribution to soybean farmers. Some projects include bus tests in Cincinnati and Fulton County to help prove biodiesel is a competitive alternative fuel. In regard to the upcoming petition asking for a referendum on the soybean checkoff, Hand said, "If farmers are satisfied and happy with the way the program is being run, there is no reason they need to sign the petition. I think the checkoff is a good self-supporting program for the producer. I certainly feel it has paid its way and made us money."

Mississippi Soybean Association President Says Checkoff is Valuable Some of the most beneficial things to come from the soybean checkoff have been research projects in Mississippi, said Jim Robertson, president of the Mississippi Soybean Association. Some checkoff funded research projects include the economics of marketing and management. Robertson said that the project determined that the best set of economic and management practices include planting dates, tillage practices, weed control, irrigation, and seed bed production. "The checkoff is very necessary in order for us to continue in the soybean business, especially here in the Mississippi delta. We’re going to have to have it to survive as farmers. I hope we don’t have to have a referendum."

Michigan Association President Says Promoting Foreign Markets is Priority Michigan Soybean Association president Gale Fowler said that using the soybean checkoff to promote foreign markets is a number one priority. Opening foreign markets and keeping them open was visionary, he said. The checkoff also is valuable in promoting demand to keep up with increased production, as well as helping place U.S. soybeans in expanding markets. "I think it is priority one that the checkoff be in place. It would be, in my opinion, a waste of resources to have come this far with the checkoff and then quit right now. Every viable business has put money back into research and development of its product. We’ve got to consider soybeans as an industry and a business. If you support the checkoff there’s no need to sign a petition," he said.

Kansas Association President Says Checkoff is Invaluable to New Uses You could talk for a long time about all the new uses for soybeans, said Ron Westervelt, president of the Kansas Soybean Association. It’s important and very necessary to have both the checkoff and new uses because it helps to develop overseas markets. "The checkoff has done a good job of expanding foreign markets," Westervelt said. "Basically every other bushel of beans goes overseas. We’ve done a good job, but I feel there’s more to do. The checkoff is very important. I’ve not been approached by a negative person yet. There will come a petition and right now we don’t know all the mechanics of it. In my area, I will tell them all the things the checkoff has done."

N.C. Association President Says Checkoff is Vital Part of Soybean Industry North Carolina Soybean Association President, Dick Tunnel, said that research is one of the most exciting things that has resulted from the checkoff. The soy health label and biodiesel are two of the things Tunnel said are direct results of checkoff money at work. More specific to North Carolina, checkoff dollars have funded research on nematodes at North Carolina State University, Tunnel said. "I think we’ve got to look out for our own industry. And farmers have got to believe in the checkoff for finding new uses for the product they’re producing." As for the upcoming vote for a checkoff referendum, Tunnel said, "I tell farmers they don’t need to do anything if they support the checkoff. Once we explain to farmers where the checkoff money is going to they’re more supportive of it."

North Dakota Association President Cites Benefits of Checkoff "North Dakota State University has a very strong research program funded by checkoff dollars," said Vanessa Kummer, president of the North Dakota Soybean Association. "If we were to lose those programs, then I don’t know where those research dollars would come from," Kummer said. In regard to the upcoming vote for a referendum on the soybean checkoff, Kummer said, "I really feel that you can point to so many different examples in the soybean association where you have seen new products and new uses. If we have no referendum things will be left as they are."

Tennessee Association President Says Checkoff Valuable to Foreign Markets Tennessee Soybean Association President, Glynn Giffin, said the soybean checkoff has helped open new foreign markets for soybeans. Giffin said with checkoff dollars, Tennessee has been working hard on breeding new varieties at the University of Tennessee. "We’ve come a long way with our checkoff funding on different things in the way of promoting our beans," Giffin said. "I would hate to see it fail right in the middle of a stream." In regard to the upcoming vote for a checkoff referendum, Giffin said, "If you support the checkoff you don’t need to do anything."

Wisconsin Association President Says Checkoff Generates Money For Farmers Wisconsin Soybean Association President Judy Klahn said the soybean checkoff is very valuable because it helps put more money in farmers’ pockets. Klahn said some specific instances from Wisconsin in which checkoff funded programs have benefited producers include education programs to help new farmers get up and running on growing soybeans, research on white mold problems. In regards to the upcoming referendum petition, Klahn said, "If farmers understand all the good that the checkoff is doing for them, they should take no action."

Louisiana Association President Cites Value of Soybean Checkoff Louisiana Soybean Association President Leslie Rodrigue said the soybean checkoff is valuable to producers because of the research and promotion efforts that are funded by the checkoff. In Louisiana, soybean checkoff money has been used to fund soybean verification trials throughout the state, disease research, weed control programs, and crop rotation guidelines, Rodrigue said. Without the soybean checkoff, Rodrigue said, a lot of these research efforts would have to be curtailed. In regard to the upcoming vote for a soybean checkoff referendum, Rodrigue said, "If farmers support the checkoff it’s not necessary for them to sign the petition. If you support the checkoff, you ought to promote it and let your neighbors know that you are in favor of it."

SC State Soybean Leader Holds Checkoff In Highest Esteem "In my state, the checkoff has helped with deep tillage on soybean production, and we have a new soybean guide, which makes it easier to get information to producers," said South Carolina State President Woody Green. "If we didn’t have a checkoff, we’d see a large fall off in the amount of information we get for our production, and of course, we’d be limited on the development of new products that would increase the use of soybeans. I tell people the checkoff is a quality program, and that it’s operated by professionals. Personally, I hold it in the highest esteem. When someone asks me about the upcoming referendum petition, I tell them they really don’t have to do anything if they’re satisfied with the progress that the soybean checkoff has made."

Mid-Atlantic State President Believes Checkoff Works "Our big thing here last year was a successful soy diesel promotion on the Chesapeake Bay," said Mid-Atlantic State President Jon Quinn. Soy diesel was sold in certain marinas for people to run in their boats, and Quinn said it was a pretty good success. "Without the checkoff we wouldn’t have found new uses for our soybeans, and we wouldn’t be as competitive in world trade. In my area, a lot of producers don’t believe in the checkoff because prices are so cheap, but I think if we didn’t have the checkoff, prices would be even lower than what they are. If a producer supports the checkoff, they should support the checkoff by just doing nothing about the referendum."