United Soybean Board

Biotechnology InitiativeKeith Kemp, USB DirectorWest Manchester, Ohio

MT

WY

ID

WA

OR

NV

UT

CA

AZ

ND

SD

NE

CO

NM

TX

OK

KSS

AR

LA

MO

IA

MN

WI

IL IN

KY

TN

MS AL GA

FL

SC

NC

VAWV

OH

MI

NY

PA

MD

DE

NJ

CTRI

MA

ME

VT

NH

• 1,700 Acre row crop operation• growing corn, soybeans, & wheat – using no till methods• pure-bred hog operation• Keith is a Pioneer Seed Representative

Building Demand for U.S. Soybeans

What is the soybean checkoff?

Building Demand for U.S. Soybeans

How does the soybean checkoff work?

Building Demand for U.S. Soybeans

How does the soybean checkoff support individual farmers?

Priority Areas

USB Priority Areas• Animal Agriculture• Biotechnology• Biodiesel• Exports• Global Opportunities• New Uses• Production • Sustainability

Biotech is Critical

To Farmers• Increases yield

• Decreases use of crop-protection products, alleviates erosion

• Elevates value of U.S. soybeans

To Everyone• Helps meet world demand

for protein

• Enables and supports sustainability

• Produces desirable traits like high-oleic soybean oil

Why We Use Biotech Crops On Our Farms

Herbicide-tolerant biotech soybeans mean more flexibility in weed control

We can make more use of conservation tillage practices (e.g. no-till and reduced tillage) by planting seeds through the previous year’s crop stubble

This old-crop residue creates a mulch layer, which encourages earthworm and soil microbes and improves soil structure

Helps the Environment

Why We Use Biotech Crops On Our FarmsSafer

• Herbicide-tolerant– Reduces toxic chemicals

• Annual herbicide use 11 million kgs less in biotech soybean production

• Resulted in cost savings

– Fewer sprayings– Less toxic weed seed

• Insect-resistant (corn)– Chemical treatments not needed on

Bt. corn seed– Mycotoxin 30-40 times lower than

conventional maize

Biotechnology Initiative

• Influence the influencers

• Promote acceptance of biotechnology at home and abroad

• Provide messages in multiple languages

• Monitor global change and ask: Can we make an impact?

Biotech Initiative Projects

• 4-H Science in Urban Communities

• Biotech U/J-School

• Regulators’ Immersion Course

• Science Teacher grants

• Global scanning

• Farmer-to Farmer Workshops abroad

Thank You