| Growers
Association, (renamed the American Soybean Association in 1929), was formed by the people
who attended the first "Cornbelt Soybean Conference" on a farm owned by three
Fouts brothers near Camden, Indiana. Over one thousand people attended this event and many
became the first members of the soybean Association. Now, as then, the number one priority
for the ASA is membership. More than any other major crop, soybeans have evolved into what
they are today not so much because of what nature has done, but rather what people have
done. It might be said that soybeans are the "human-be-ans" of agriculture
because many human beings, including agronomists, extension agents, business persons, and
farmers, are largely responsible for the advancement of the soybean in this country and
around the world.
Industry teamwork can
also be credited for the success of the soybean. This relationship began as early as 1928,
when an agreement was developed between growers and commercial processors for the
production of 50,000 acres of soybeans at a minimum price of $1.35 per bushel. At a time
when elevators were reluctant to contract for soybeans, it is difficult to comprehend the
contribution that this single event may have played toward nurturing the infant soybean
industry.
Soybean production in
1924 was only 5 million bushels with a value of $12 million. By 1959, the harvest grew to
533 million bushels valued at $1.044 billion, and by 1994, the US soybean crop measured
2.558 billion bushels valued at $13.813 billion.
There are a countless
number of factors, thousands of individuals, and more than a hundred industrialists who
are responsible for this incredible success story. What follows are some of the highlights
of that story including a special look at the origins of the Soya Bluebook.
Orginally published in 1996 in the 50th
Anniversary Edition of the Soya Bluebook. |
