2009-2010 Annual Report
NORTH DAKOTA SOYBEAN COUNCIL COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES Monte Peterson Barnes Charlie Bisbee Benson Doug Goehring Burleigh Claude Richard Cass Randy Evans Cavalier Tom Rodine Dickey Bruce Doolittle Emmons Charles Linderman Foster Jared Hagert Grand Forks Ronald Hegvik Griggs Kenny Meier Kidder Dennis Feiken LaMoure Randy Piatz Logan Gerald Holte McHenry Steve Spitzer McIntosh Robert Sondrol McLean Dennis Renner Morton Carl Jenson Nelson Chad Tweeten Oliver Duane Heilman Pierce Daryl Evenson Ramsey Pat Freeberg Ransom Scott Gauslow Richland Jason Martodam Rolette Tyler Speich Sargent Troy Stein Sheridan Jason Mewes Steele Glen Nagel Stutsman Paul Grann Towner Michael Beltz Traill Art Wosick Walsh Larry Widdel Ward Lowell Kaw Wells NORTH DAKOTA SOYBEAN COUNCIL CHAIRMAN S REPORT Iam pleased to bring you the North Dakota Soybean Council s annual report for 2009-2010. It was another good year for soybeans in North Dakota. In 2009, soybean production was 116 million bushels, which was the second highest production year on record, behind 2006 s production of 122 million bushels harvested. Soybeans are definitely a cornerstone crop in North Dakota, and as soybean farmers, we should all be quite proud of that fact. As chairman of the North Dakota Soybean Council, I am proud of the projects our board has undertaken over the past year to research, to educate and to promote soybeans. I hope you will take the time to read about a few of them, which are highlighted in this 2009-2010 Annual Report. I also hope you take an opportunity to read our other annual publication, the 2009-2010 Research Update. The Research Update provides the most up-to-date developments on research projects funded by the North Dakota Soybean Council. I am confident to report that your soybean checkoff dollars continue to work hard to protect your profitability, increase demand and build a stronger future for all of our fellow soybean farmers. Our board consists of eight volunteer soybean producers, who are active soybean farmers in North Dakota. As board members, we take our responsibility seriously. Every checkoff decision is made by soybean farmers to benefit their fellow soybean farmers. As your chairman, my door is always open to soybean producers. I am always interested in hearing from fellow farmers, and I welcome comments and suggestions regarding your checkoff dollars. You can contact me by either e-mail at mpfarms@wildblue.net, or by phone at (701) 845-0079. I, along with my fellow board members, remain committed to building a strong future for North Dakota soybean farmers. We will continue to serve you proudly, and look forward to another successful soybean year in the state. Thank you for your continued support of North Dakota s checkoff program. Sincerely, Monte Peterson Valley City, ND 2
Financials FINANCIAL REPORT Revenue $6,814,825.31 Project Expenditures International Marketing $322,692.06 Consumer Information $159,222.78 Domestic Marketing $275,670.97 Producer Communications $386,144.64 Research $934,306.30 TOTAL $2,078,036.75 Administration & Compliance $278,440.55 Total Project Expense $2,356,477.30 Total Reimbursements to United Soybean Board & Other States $3,478,188.54 TOTAL OVERALL EXPENSE $5,834,665.84 NORTH DAKOTA SOYBEAN COUNCIL STAFF DEBORAH JOHNSON Executive Director SUZANNE WOLF Communications Director SHELLEY TREIB Budget Manager MOLLY FERN Program Assistant 3
International Marketing With the fact that almost every other row of US soybeans is used overseas, the North Dakota Soybean Council (NDSC) understands that international marketing trade missions add value to every soybean farmer s bottom line. In 2009, over 1.8 billion bushels of soybeans were exported from the US. Therefore, International Marketing continues to be a priority for the board. The North Dakota Soybean Council continues to annually fund projects with the US Soybean Export Council (USSEC), the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH), Midwest Shippers Association, AGP Port of Grays Harbor, and the Northern Crops Institute (NCI). Other international marketing highlights for the North Dakota Soybean Council in 2009-2010 include: In January 2010, NDSC Chairman Monte Peterson of Valley City, ND traveled to Santiago, Chile as an invited guest of the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council's "See for Yourself" fact-finding trip designed to give farmers a first-hand look at both University of Minnesota and North Dakota State University's soybean "winter nursery" breeding programs. North Dakota State University uses its research station in Chile to keep its soybean breeding and research going year round. In March 2010, NDSC Secretary Scott Gauslow of Colfax, ND and past board member Dennis Feiken of LaMoure, ND joined the Soy Transportation Coalition (STC) and United Soybean Board on a trade mission to Panama and Brazil. The focus of the trip was the critical role of transportation in the profitability of US agriculture. While in Panama, the group visited the canal and met with officials from the Panama Canal Authority to discuss the role of the canal in facilitating agricultural exports. The group also received an update on the expansion of the Panama Canal. While in Brazil, the group saw many examples of poor quality roads that serve as significant obstacles to the delivery of Brazilian agricultural products. However, the group also observed numerous examples of newly constructed, well maintained roads that are enhancing Brazil s competitive position in the world marketplace. mission took company officials to Jakarta, Indonesia and to the growing Chinese cities of Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Shanghai, where they held meetings with 26 of Asia's largest soybean importers and soy food manufacturers. In Shanghai, the North Dakota Soybean Council and North Dakota Trade Office sponsored a seminar to educate soybean importers and processors about the high quality and consistent supplies of food-grade soybeans grown in North Dakota. Throughout the year, the North Dakota Soybean Council hosts various international trade teams in North Dakota interested in soybeans grown in the state with farm tours and evening meals. The North Dakota Soybean Council helps educate foreign buyers about ways to profitably access soy products and facilitates face to face meetings between producers and foreign trade teams. While in Chile, NDSC Chairman Monte Peterson was able to see first-hand the winter nursery breeding programs of University of Minnesota and North Dakota State University. A North Dakota trade mission to Indonesia and China in March 2010 generated new business ties for six companies that produce and market food-grade soybeans. The North Dakota Soybean Council co-sponsored this trade mission and NDSC Board Member Jason Martodam of Mylo, ND participated in this mission on behalf of NDSC. The trade NDSC Vice Chairman Claude Richard (right) hosts a trade team from the Europe Union on his Cass County farm. 4
Domestic Marketing Besides investing in the development of overseas markets, the North Dakota Soybean Council (NDSC) also funds projects that expands the use of soybeans here at home. The soybean checkoff funds programs designed to develop new domestic markets for US and North Dakota soybeans, soybean meal and soybean oil, along with enhancing and supporting existing ones. By ensuring continued demand for soybean meal and oil in North Dakota, the soybean checkoff is doing its part to keep North Dakota farm families and rural communities vibrant and growing. In 2009-2010, some of the domestic marketing projects the North Dakota Soybean Council funded included: the National Biodiesel Board, North Dakota Dairy Coalition, and Soybean Marketing Initiative for Livestock Expansion (SMILE) project. NDSC contracts annually with Hoon Ge of MEG Corp for biodiesel expertise in North Dakota. Mr. Ge (left) provides educational seminars on soy biodiesel to fuel suppliers, customers, students, mechanics, truck drivers and farmers. NDSC continues to promote soy biodiesel on KFGO s Joel Heitkamp s Cruiser, along with the ND Soybean Growers Association s two soy biodiesel pick-ups, Fargo area taxis in collaboration with Petro Serve USA, and Fargo City Buses. To help revitalize the livestock industry (soybean s number one customer) in North Dakota, NDSC continues to work with organizations like the North Dakota Dairy Coalition. Since North Dakota soybeans and soy products are transported to market and processing facilities by rail and motor carrier, transportation continues to be a priority for the North Dakota Soybean Council (NDSC). Since 2007, NDSC has been a funding member of the Soy Transportation Coalition (STC). STC s goal is to position soybean industry stakeholders to benefit from a transportation system that delivers cost effective, reliable, and competitive service. Some of STC s projects in 2009-2010 included: A study analyzing the likely results of expanding semi weight limits over the federal highway system. A published study on rail transportation of soybeans, which highlighted (on both national and individual state level) the volume of soybeans, soybean meal and soybean oil moved by the rail industry; the leading destinations for those products; and the revenue and rates associated with those movements. A completed analysis documenting the strong relationship between our nation s freight transportation system and Tr ansportation individual farmer profitability. The study provided compelling evidence that farmers, more than any other segment of agriculture, are responsible for paying the transportation costs from the farm to the dinner plate. In early 2010, the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute published the North Dakota Agriculture Transportation Handbook. This handbook covers the state and federal statutes, rules and exemptions for the agricultural industry. NDSC was a proud sponsor of this handbook. If you would like a complimentary copy, contact the ND Soybean Council at 1-888-469-6409 or by e-mail at mfern@ndsoybean.org 5
Consumer Information Do you know your farmer? Do you know your food? For many consumers, the answers to these questions will be "No." By educating consumers about the benefits of soybeans, soy products and the work of the soybean checkoff, the North Dakota Soybean Council is helping the public make educated decisions and keeping agriculture a relevant part of their daily lives. The North Dakota Soybean Council continues to be present by exhibiting at national and state agricultural trade shows, state health and nutrition fairs, various family and children events, and energy conferences in an effort to build greater awareness of the benefits of soybeans and its end uses among consumer audiences. In an effort to reach children in 2009-2010, the North Dakota Soybean Council mailed every North Dakota school library two soybean related books: Soybeans in the Story of Agriculture and Awesome Agriculture: Soybeans an A to Z Book. Furthermore, soy-based foam used in Wallables wall decorations were mailed to all North Dakota pediatrician offices, along with large daycare facilities across the state. 6 Producer Communications The North Dakota Soybean Council (NDSC) remains committed to quality and timely producer communications. The goal of producer communications is to keep producers and the industry informed and up-to-date on the latest news of the North Dakota Soybean Council and the soybean checkoff through a variety of effective communication tools including newsletters, radio ads, print ads, presentations and trades show booths. In March 2010, the North Dakota Soybean Council debuted their newly revised website. The website highlights all the Council s program areas which includes: soybean research, international marketing, animal agriculture, biodiesel, transportation, new uses and soyfoods. The Council's newsletters, annual report, research update, upcoming events, contact information, soy recipes and more are all available. NDSC s website is also linked to the new North Dakota Soybean Growers Association website, the organization that is the legislative arm for soybean producers in the state. Check out the new North Dakota Soybean Council website at www.ndsoybean.org
Leadership NORTH DAKOTA SOYBEAN COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS MONTE PETERSON Chairman Valley City, Distinct IV CLAUDE RICHARD Vice Chairman Fargo, Distinct III JARED HAGERT Treasurer Emerado, Distinct VI SCOTT GAUSLOW Secretary Colfax, Distinct I TYLER SPEICH Milnor, Distinct II MIKE BELTZ Hillsboro, Distinct V ART WOSICK Minto, Distinct VII JASON MARTODAM Mylo, Distinct VIII NORTH DAKOTA UNITED SOYBEAN BOARD REPRESENTATIVES VANESSA KUMMER Colfax JOEL THORSRUD Hillsboro JARED HAGERT Emerado 7
1411 32ND STREET SOUTH, SUITE 3 W FARGO, ND 58103 PHONE: 701.239.7194 W TOLL FREE: 888.469.6409 W FAX: 701.239.7195 WEB: WWW.NDSOYBEAN.ORG W EMAIL: SOYBEANCOUNCIL@NDSOYBEAN.ORG