FOUNDED 1920
ORGANIZED 1925
INCORPORATED February 28, 1946

Soybean farmers and extension workers founded the Soybean Association in an effort to promote the crop and increase profit opportunities. After more than 80 years, the organization continues these important efforts. 

Early soybeans presented farmers with production and marketing challenges. Gold, green, black, brown and mottled seeds grew on plants ranging from ground hugging vines to leggy stalks. Plants were difficult to harvest and pods shattered easily.

The small, uncertain supply made many processors unwilling to crush the beans. Feed manufacturers and customers were leery of using the soybean meal and cake in animal rations.

Through the American Soybean Association (ASA), early soybean farmers agreed that processors would underwrite the production of 50,000 acres at a guaranteed minimum price. With processors guaranteed a supply and farmers assured of a market, production increased.

1930s: Surpluses of wheat and cotton made soybeans an attractive cash crop. New processing methods created more acceptable meal and oil products and demand for edible fats and oils encouraged research on soybean oil for food uses. Soybean meal proved to be an important ingredient for balancing animal rations.

Europe began importing American soybeans and in 1936 the Chicago Board of Trade established a soybean futures contract.

1940s: U.S. was importing 40 percent of its fats and oils when supplies were cut off by World War II. Soybean producers doubled production and processors built plants to produce the oil. But the end of the war brought surpluses. The US and United Nations were shipping soy flour to Europe and Asia, but soybeans were not part of the government food aid plans.

ASA launched legislative battles to remove barriers restricting the sale of margarine. Government efforts to reduce soybean production and rigidly restrict exports were opposed.

1949: US began to turn from being a net importer of oils, proteins and oilseeds to a net exporter. Soybean Association leaders traveled at their own expense as technical advisors on government missions to survey potential markets for US ag products. They were convinced that Europe and Japan had the plants, machinery, equipment, know how - and the need - to use American soybean products in large quantities.

1954: Passage of P.L. 480, Food for Peace program made it possible for government and private groups to cooperate in funding market development through the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

1956: ASA and FAS signed first joint market development contracts for work in Europe and Japan and ASA's Tokyo's office opened.

1960s: Soybean stocks became burdensome as production exceeded usage. High dependency on government and private industry for research and market development funding led farmers to initiate farmer-funded checkoff programs.

1964: States began forming soybean associations affiliated with ASA to involve more farmers. ASA began funding research to find new uses for soybeans and reduce production costs.

1968: States affiliated with ASA resolved to initiate work on state-by-state passage of legislation to enable first point of sale deduction of one-half to one cent per bushel. Farmer elected boards of soybean farmers would control funds for market development and research.

1975: The American Soybean Association Market Development Foundation was created from the American Soybean Institute and a funding agency called the American Association Market Development Fund. The Fund's purpose was to receive farmer checkoff funds, review market development programs and budgets, authorize ASA to conduct these activities and pay for services provided by ASA.

1978: ASA established World Headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri.

1980: The American Soybean Association Market Development Foundation and the American Soybean Research Foundation were merged to become the American Soybean Development Foundation.

1984: ASA opened an office in Caracas to serve the South American market. This brought the number of ASA international offices to 11 including Brussels, Hamburg, Madrid, Mexico City, Peking, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo and Vienna.

1987: ASA launched a truth-in-labeling campaign to stop hidden use of highly saturated tropical fats in foods and increase market share for soybean oil. ASA asked the Food and Drug Administration to require food manufacturers to stop calling tropical fats "vegetable oils" and to put an end to "and/or" wording on food labels. The truth-in-labeling campaign was part of a new checkoff-funded initiative to expand domestic use of soybeans and soybean products.

1988: Exports to the Soviet Union increased from 2.5 million to 91 million bushels. Palm oil imports declined as U.S. consumers became more concerned about saturated fats in their diets, and soybean oil use increased. ASA promotions for soybean oil for dust control and for newspaper printing inks helped boost demand.

ASA launched major Targeted Export Assistance (TEA) promotions in Europe that greatly increased consumer awareness of soybean oil.

1989: Bold new actions by ASA farmer-leaders set the organization on a new course. After more than a year of study and discussion, Delegates approved a resolution to work toward a national soybean checkoff. Legislation to create the one-half of one percent checkoff for market promotion, research and industry education was introduced.

ASA introduced a new SoyMark developed with funding provided by CIBA-GEIGY Corporation. Earlier in the year, ASA introduced a SoySeal developed by Monsanto Agricultural Company to mark industrial products such as soy-based inks and agricultural chemical carriers made with soybean oil.

1990: Years of ASA market promotion in Eastern Europe and continuing efforts in the Soviet Union gave US soybeans an advantage. With the collapse of Communism, Romania turned to ASA for help in ordering US soybeans. In Western Europe, ASA used checkoff funds and TEA funds to implement a major consumer education campaign. European purchases of US soybeans increased 22 percent. A GATT Dispute Settlement Panel ruled in favor of US soybean farmers stating that European oilseed subsidies are unfair competition and illegal under GATT rules. ASA initiated the complaint in 1987. ASA reached an all-time high of 34,000 members.

1991: The national soybean checkoff started. The ASA Board authorized, and state checkoff boards funded, expanded promotion in the Soviet Union including the opening of an office in Moscow. As authorized in the 1990 Farm Bill, the $5.02 non-recourse soybean marketing loan began.

1992: Activities were funded by the national soybean checkoff through the United Soybean Board (USB), and flourished under the direction of ASA farmer-leaders and staff. ASA created a strategic plan to tackle changes brought about by the checkoff. ASA opened a new office in Cyprus. Market Promotion Program (MPP) funds (formerly TEA) were invested to increase demand for US soybeans and products in Spain, Portugal, Greece, Germany, Venezuela and Mexico.

1993: ASA contracted with Gordley Associates to provide Washington representation. ASA was successful in securing elimination of the two percent loan origination fee as a part of the FY 1994 budget reconciliation process.

ASA worked with the United Soybean Board to structure and carry out national soybean checkoff-supported programs in the US and around the world. ASA became heavily involved with SoyDiesel on the legislative, research and development levels.

ASA continued as the primary contractor with the United Soybean Board and a major cooperator with FAS on international programs. The ASA Board of Directors voted to offer health insurance to members in participating states. ASA unveiled a new logo at Soybean EXPO '93 in Denver.

ASA expressed concern and disappointment over the resolution of the oilseed subsidy dispute with the European Community (301 case). The resulting Blair House Agreement limited the maximum area on which payments will be made to stimulate surplus oilseed production in the EC. ASA subsequently helped develop and rally support for a "zero-to-zero" proposal to eliminate global tariffs and government export incentives for oilseeds and products.

1994: ASA was instrumental in forming the American Oilseed Coalition (AOC. ASA withheld endorsement of the Uruguay Round agreement of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, because the agreement, failed to correct conditions that have proven detrimental to interests of US soybean growers and allows continuation of unfair practices of other countries in oilseed trade. ASA commended the Administration for identifying elimination of trade distorting practice in the oilseeds sector as a priority in future multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations.

The referendum to continue the national checkoff was held in February and passed - with 54% of the farmers who cast their ballots voting in favor of continuation.

Congress approved the Vegetable Ink Printing Act that requires the federal government to use vegetable-based inks in its printing operations where technically feasible and cost-competitive with petroleum-based inks. This comes on the heels of the USDA announcement last year that required all printing ordered by USDA to employ ink derived from agricultural products.

1995: ASA and USB leaders went to Europe to ensure compliance with the Blair House Agreement. ASA and the National Oilseed Processors Association continued to work closely with the US Trade Ambassador throughout the year. ASA and USB leaders went to China to meet with senior government and trade officials to provide encouragement to import US soybeans and soybean meal.

• ASA leaders conveyed their support for inclusion of biodiesel in the Energy Policy Act of 1992. ASA leaders urged lawmakers to enact Farm Bill legislation designed to make soybeans more competitive and soybean producers more profitable. ASA also led successful efforts to restore funding for the Foreign Market Development (FMD) cooperator program, and to enact legislation that differentiated agricultural oils from petroleum oils.

• Reversing several years of declining membership, the ASA recruitment campaign delivered a net membership increase of four percent. In December, the ASA Board adopted a new committee structure to more closely align itself with the structure of USB's committees.

• The Stephen M. Yoder Foundation "Leadership for LIFE" program was established to promote farm safety. ASA celebrated its 75th Anniversary at the Soybean EXPO in Saint Louis.

• ASA, USB and many other soybean industry stakeholders participated in the development and distribution of the Soybean Industry Vision. ASA was instrumental in launching the American Soybean Industry Council.

1996: ASA maintained a consistent and reasoned position on its policy objectives for the Farm Bill that included full two-way planting flexibility, an equitable soybean loan rate and an adequate safety net. ASA also continued its efforts to reform the estate tax code and obtain conservation provisions that reflect a common sense balance of producer interests and protection of natural resources and wildlife.

• ASA prevented an amendment to require a producer referendum on the soybean checkoff program in 1999 from being included in the Farm Bill.

• ASA joined the National Biodiesel Board and other interested organizations in filing a petition with the Department of Energy (DOE) requesting approval of B20 as an alternative fuel.

• At year-end ASA membership count was 29,799 — an increase of more than 5% over 1995.

• The first-ever Commodity Classic was hosted by ASA and the National Corn Growers Association in Phoenix, Arizona. Nearly $20,000 was raised to benefit The Stephen M. Yoder Foundation's Leadership for LIFE program.

• ASA and the U.S. Feed Grains Council jointly contracted for representation in Vietnam. ASA also opened its Asia Subcontinent Office in New Delhi, India.

• The American Soybean Industry Council (ASIC), issued statements on the global acceptance of biotechnology and on the protection of intellectual properties.

• ASA issued Grower Advisories pertaining to import clearances for soybeans grown from genetically modified seedstock in major export markets.

1997: ASA was successful in gaining expansion of the Crop Revenue Coverage (CRC) program into 12 additional states for the 1998 crop year, which doubled the number of states eligible for CRC. ASA worked behind the scenes on enactment of tax legislation that included elimination of the alternative minimum tax; incoming averaging provisions; a reduction in the capital gains tax rates; new estate tax exclusions; and an increase in the percentage of health insurance costs deductible by self-employed persons.

• ASA and the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) obtained Department of Energy agreement to consider B-20 (a blend of 20 percent biodiesel made from vegetable oil and 80 percent petroleum diesel) as an approved alternative fuel.

• ASA implemented an aggressive international marketing program for US soybean producers. ASA wisely leveraged the almost $16 million in soybean checkoff funds to obtain another $9.4 million from USDA. ASA increased the size of its membership for the third year in a row. The final total was 31,525, an increase of 5.6 percent from the previous year. The ASA Today membership newsletter was redesigned into a full-color format.

• ASA ended FY 97 with a financial gain from operations that exceeded the forecast. This was a reversal of the losses experienced by the Association in recent years, and was the result of a coordinated effort by ASA leaders, ASA staff, state affiliates, and other stakeholders.

1998: ASA opened a new chapter for soybean producers this year when Congress enacted legislation that allows vehicle fleets regulated under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to earn credits toward meeting EPACT requirements by operating on B-20. This legislation is significant because it provides credits for the use of biodiesel fuel that can be made from soybean oil, and it provides biodiesel blends that offer consumers the economics necessary to make B-20 the "low cost leader" in the EPACT market. Biodiesel has been one of ASA's top priorities for several years.

• ASA issued Grower Advisories pertaining to import clearances for soybeans grown from genetically modified seedstock in major export markets.

• A $6 billion ag assistance package was enacted that included $2.575 billion in total funding to address crop disaster losses, and another $3.15 billion in market loss payments to producers eligible for Freedom to Farm contracts. Also, ASA successfully urged Congress to approve income averaging, increased deductibility of health insurance for farmers, and a 5-year carryback for operating losses. The approved tax cuts are estimated to save producers more than $1 billion over the next five years.

• ASA worked diligently to ensure that Ag appropriators approved funding for the Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program at the current operating level of $32 million and $90 million for the Market Access Program. ASA utilizes funding from the FMD and MAP, along with producer checkoff dollars, to promote U.S. soybean exports in more than 80 counties.

• Funding was secured for the International Monetary Fund at $17.9 billion. IMF funding is vital to ensuring stability in U.S. Soybean export markets in both the short and long-term. ASA also succeeded in convincing USDA to include half a million tons of soy in a Russian Food Aid Program and another $61 million of soybeans and soy products in other P.L. 480 Title 1 programs.

• Early this year, ASA participated in the White House Rose Garden ceremony, during which President Bill Clinton signed into law the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act. This legislation was one of ASA's top priorities because it approved funding for increased agricultural research funds, as well as crop insurance. Agricultural research is slated to receive $600 million over five years, and it authorized $485 million over five years to pay insurance agents and companies for expenses to write crop insurance policies.

• On Nov. 10, the Food and Drug Administration gave initial approval to allow health claim labels on products containing soybean protein based on data contained in a petition presented by Protein Technologies International, Inc., and a follow-up petition filed by ASA in October. Approval by FDA of evidence that including soy protein in a healthy diet reduces serum cholesterol and may reduce the chance of heart disease will have consumers around the world seeking foods labeled to contain soy protein. A final rule was expected in 1999.

• In November, ASA formally opened its 14th international marketing office in Istanbul, Turkey, to increase demand for U.S. soybeans and products in the Middle East.

• ASA took the lead in working with biotechnology and seed companies to ensure that U.S. growers didn't lose $9 billion of U.S. Soybean export markets due to the presence of unapproved biotechnology-derived soybean varieties.

• To help maintain U.S. soy exports despite Asia's economic crisis, ASA worked to obtain and increase credit guarantees from USDA for the purchase of soybeans and soy products. In part due to ASA's aggressive initiative, USDA approved additional GSM-102 export credit guarantees for Asia including increases from $250 million to $400 million for Indonesia, $100 million to $300 million for Thailand, and zero to $100 million for Malaysia. In addition, Korea received an estimated $1.1 billion, an increase from $154 million from the previous year.

• The Loan Deficiency Payment (LDP) rate was increased by 34 cents as result of ASA's policy efforts during the 1996 Farm Bill process. LDPs were based on a $5.26 per bushel loan rate.

• ASA increased its membership for the fourth consecutive year, ending the year at 31,737 members. Even more was added to the value of an ASA membership with the launch of the first issue of the Washington Insider Report. This new publication, distributed quarterly to all ASA members, focuses on key policy issues facing soybean farmers. To help ensure continuation of the national soybean checkoff, ASA created a special Vote YES committee to develop funding and prepare for the possibility of a producer referendum.

• There was a record attendance of producers and exhibitors at Commodity Classic in Long Beach, making the third annual event a huge success. Show attendance reached 3,676 and more than 500 trade show booths were sold. More than $23,000 was raised for safety education through the 1998 Stephen M. Yoder Foundation Auction and from associated raffles.

1999: The American Soybean Association applauded approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of a new soy health claim based on a petition filed by ASA in 1998. FDA published its final rule on October 25, that soy protein included in a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by lowering blood cholesterol levels. As a result, food labels may now contain messages, such as "25 grams of soy protein a day, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease." Research funded by the soybean checkoff shows that the use of soybeans in food products will increase at a rate of 10% a year for the next five years, up from about 37 million bushels to more than 60 million bushels.

• Biodiesel implementation moved a big step forward with the release of the Department of Energy's interim final rule to allow public vehicle fleets to earn EPACT credits. ASA also was pleased with USDA's August 13, announcement that the agency planned to purchase an unprecedented level of 20,000 gallons of biodiesel during the year, and with pro-biodiesel legislation that was introduced in the Senate on November 17. That legislation, entitled the "Biofuels Air Quality Act" would allow biodiesel to compete for funds in the Congestion Mitigation Air Quaility Improvement (CMAQ) program. Similar legislation was introduced in the House on August 6. The Senate and House bills expand the CMAQ program's authority to allow funding of alternative fuel projects that include purchases of biodiesel, which is a proven cleaner-burning fuel made from natural, renewable sources, such as soybean oil. ASA also asked that the government introduce biodiesel-blended fuels in at least 50% of the government's diesel-powered vehicles by 2002.

• While drought and flood conditions in several areas of the country prevented another record-breaking U.S. soybean harvest, producers continued to face the lowest prices paid for their soybeans since the early 1970s. Three ideal growing seasons, one right after the other, in the majority of soybean production areas in both the United States and in South America, caused soybean stocks to grow, while at the same time, export growth stalled as a result of depressed economies in key Asian markets. These factors were primarily responsible for drifting soybean prices paid to farmer down from an average per bushel price of $7.35 in 1996, to $4.35 in 1999.

• Fortunately, ASA's soybean safety net policy work during the 1996 Farm Bill process helped see many producers through a tough year. ASA's success in raising the soybean loan rate $.34 would provide growers with nearly $1 billion of additional farm revenue from the loan deficiency payment program.

• Even with ASA's earlier policy efforts and successes, it was clear that stronger and more comprehensive efforts would be needed to improve the outlook for soybean producers. In February, ASA farmer leaders made public a comprehensive list of farm income and market demand policy initiatives for the Administration and Congress to act upon. ASA's proposal included economic loss assistance, farm income protection, food assistance and export initiatives, biodiesel, and trade policy initiatives. Also included were key domestic policy initiatives concerning the Food Quality Protection Act implementation, the environment and conservation, research, transportation and tax initiatives. ASA also outlined major issues for changes in Federal crop insurance programs.

• ASA urged Congress to provide economic loss payments to producers, similar to payments provided to farmers in 1998, and also advanced with congressional leaders inclusion of soybean-specific payments and provisions in any farm aid package. Subsequently, Congress did approve an $8.7 billion emergency farm spending plan that also included an authorization of $475 million in direct payments to oilseed producers to help partially offset low prices. It was estimated that this oilseed payment would provide producers with 15 additional cents per bushel of soybeans.

• In April, ASA and the National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA) provided Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman with a comprehensive list of recipient countries, quantities, and products for a proposed $1 billion concessional sale and donation program for soybeans, soybean meal, soybean oil, and soy protein products. Secretary Glickman requested this list during a March 16 meeting with ASA leaders in Washington when ASA urged him to utilize Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds for a purchase and donation program that could help alleviate a disastrous decline in prices and soybean producer income.

• ASA also initiated, for the first time, discussions with a group of international food aid groups who were interested in programming soy into their USDA requests. These private voluntary organizations (PVOs) provided concrete proposals to USDA for the implementation of food aid. This combination of ASA's "pushing" and the PVOs "pulling" helped convince USDA of the merits of assisting people in the most needy countries in the world while bolstering demand and improving prices paid to farmers.

• To urge further action on ASA's request for a $1 billion soy donation, 72 House members cosigned a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman in November, calling for USDA to move quickly to mitigate the downward pressure on soybean prices during harvest. ASA also met with several Senators and Representatives to urge them to place calls to the White House, Agriculture Department, and Office of Management and Budget to "dislodge" this and other food aid programs which have been held up pending reviews.

• At year's end, ASA was still waiting for a major food aid announcement, which was being delayed by bureaucratic red tape. Meanwhile, some significant amounts of soy were already being included in major food aid programs, such as the purchase by Russia of an additional 117,000 metric tons of soymeal under the P.L. 480, Title I program for shipment December 17, 1999 to January 7, 2000.

• On November 15, U.S. and Chinese negotiators completed bilateral talks on China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The agreement that U.S. trade negotiators reached with China included significant opportunities to expand market access that ASA has worked toward for years. According to U.S. government sources, the ongoing WTO accession negotiations include assurances that will formalize access to the Chinese market -- the largest growth market for soy in the 21st century -- and includes commitments to expand access over the next few years.

• Based on the announced WTO Accession Terms for Agriculture, there will be no tariff rate quota (TRQ) for soybeans, and the duty is bound at the current applied level of 3%. The agreement stated that soybean oil will be subject to a 9% duty and the TRQ quantity will be based on average 1995-97 calendar year imports calculated on the basis of data from Oil World. Soybean oil also will be designated a "most-favored-oil" -- meaning that any permanent or temporary duty reduction provided to other oils also will be extended to soy oil. ASA also began an extension policy effort in 1999 to promote approval of Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with China, which the U.S. Congress was scheduled to debate in 2000.

• ASA counted among its accomplishments the lifting of sanctions on the sale of U.S. food to Iran, Sudan and Libya. ASA continued to work to expand sanctions relief to Iraq, North Korea, and Cuba to help improve soybean producer profitability.

• Confusion about the marketability of biotech-derived crops was at the forefront of many producers' thoughts. During these challenging times, ASA called upon all of its resources to actively communicate with growers, customers and other stakeholders about the safety of biotech soybeans to minimize the negative effects of activities and efforts to undermine public confidence in agricultural biotechnology.

• In November and December, ASA implemented a series of "Planting Decision 2000" Town Hall meetings around the country to help producers make well-informed planting decisions for 2000. ASA also produced "Planting Decision Guide" that provided producers accurate information on the factors affecting the demand for both biotech and non-biotech soybeans. ASA distributed the Planting Decision Guide to more than a quarter million soybean producers.

• Early in the year, ASA welcomed the announcement that AgrEvo USA Company would delay commercialization of their LibertyLink® Soybean seed to safeguard acceptance of U.S. soybeans and soybean products in major export markets. ASA and AgrEvo have been engaged in discussions for months on how best to keep LibertyLink® Soybeans out of export channels until approvals for importation and processing were obtained in major export markets. AgrEvo's decision demonstrated a strong commitment to protecting export markets for U.S. soybean producers.

• In March, ASA expressed support for the National Soybean Checkoff Program before the USDA's Joint Task Force on Research & Promotion Programs. Checkoff programs are a vital means for farmers to invest their own money in strengthening market demand, improving productivity, and increasing profitability. One-half of 1% of the delivered price is deducted for the checkoff when farmers sell their soybeans. As the trade association that first supported, developed and lobbied for the soybean checkoff program, ASA expressed support for the original design and mechanics of the soybean checkoff and urged the Department not to create unnecessary or burdensome guidelines or procedures that will impede the effectiveness of the soybean checkoff program. As required by law, USDA conducted a request for referendum October 20 through November 16, 1999, and the results will be announced in 2000.

• Albuquerque, New Mexico drew a crowd of 3,504 farmers, farmer-leaders and speakers, including 101 farm broadcasters and ag journalists, for the fourth annual Commodity Classic. Altogether, 592 booths displayed products and services of 142 companies. Trade show goers were also able to participate in educational sessions, which include such topics as New Uses for Soybeans and How Women Can Make Better Marketers. The show was a success and the turnout reflected that people are optimistic. This was a great opportunity for leaders to visit with agribusiness companies.

2001: Nearly $1 billion of additional safety net became available to U.S. soybean producers as USDA announced the loan rate for 2001 crop soybeans was set at $5.26 per bushel. ASA and producer members had been working in Washington for many months to urge USDA to maintain the soybean loan rate at $5.26 to help farmers and rural communities survive a continuing cycle of historically low commodity prices. In February, USDA announced details of an Oilseed Payment Program that ASA again successfully urged Congress to include in emergency farm legislation. At a payment rate of $0.1425 per bushel of soybeans, a farm with 500 acres of soybeans and a 42 bushel per acre yield received about $2,992.00 from this program.

• ASA competed successfully for $7.6 million in federal funding under the Foreign Market Development (FMD) program and $2.6 million under the Market Access Program (MAP), a combined total of over $10 million—$100,000 more than last year. ASA utilizes these funds, along with producer checkoff dollars, to promote exports of U.S. soybeans and products.

• U.S. soy exports again set record sales volumes for 2000/01 with whole soybean exports reaching just over 1 billion bushels (27.567 million metric tons), up more than 2 percent from the record set last year. Soybean meal exports climbed to over 6.5 million metric tons (mmt), up nearly 7 percent from last year. The European Union remained the largest regional market for U.S. soybean exports at 6.9 mmt, with China the largest single country customer at 5.7 mmt, and Mexico close behind at 3.9 mmt, followed by Japan at 3.5 mmt.

• One key milestone critical to increasing demand for U.S. soy products was passed when 142 nations belonging to the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreed to launch a new round of negotiations designed to spur income growth by substantially decreasing market access barriers and trade distorting subsidies. Another key milestone was passed when the U.S. House of Representatives voted to grant the President Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), previously called "fast track." ASA worked for years to secure passage of both milestones because the future of U.S. soybean producers depends greatly on the ability of the U.S. to negotiate trade agreements.

• An historic event took place at the end of the year with a resumption of commercial agricultural sales to Cuba. After more than 40 years, and a great deal of legislative effort by ASA to reform economic sanctions on food and medicine, U.S. soy products once again shipped to Cuba under a special one-year license. Cuba purchased from the U.S. 12,000 tons of soybeans, 20,000 tons of soymeal, and 5,000 tons of soyoil.

• ASA was extremely active in developing and putting forth soybean farmer priorities for a new farm bill. ASA supported domestic farm programs that are equitable and balanced among all loan-eligible crops that can be planted on the same cropland on a farm. ASA supported full and unrestricted planting flexibility, continuation of non-recourse marketing loans, no statutory authority to impose set-asides, and no authority to establish government or farmer-owned reserves for oilseeds. In addition, ASA opposed any limitations on marketing loan benefits, fixed income payments, or any counter-cyclical income support payments.

• With major energy legislation moving through Congress, soybean farmers had a unique opportunity to create additional domestic demand for their product through increased use of biodiesel. ASA worked on legislation for the "Renewable Fuels for Energy Security Act of 2001," that set a federal goal for increased national use of renewable fuels, such as biodiesel and ethanol. ASA also is working on legislation that would provide a tax incentive for biodiesel.

• After years of just trying to preserve and restore the cuts proposed to the Federal soybean research funding baseline, ASA launched an effort to increase soybean research funding by $10 million over three years. For FY2001, ASA successfully lobbied to increase soybean research funding by $3.2 million. For FY2002, ASA was successful in garnering an additional $3.34 million, as well as a portion of another $750,000 that will be designated for clinical nutrition studies on soy.

• At a press conference in St. Louis, the new World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) program was formally announced. This program is designed to promote the use of soy products in food aid programs worldwide. Funded with producer checkoff dollars, ASA has launched this multi-faceted program to create short and long-term growth for soy markets without disrupting commercial sales.

• The sixth annual Commodity Classic in San Antonio, Texas, set a record for total attendance at 3,945, including 124 media. Of the grower attendees, the average age was 51.5, with an average total acres of 1,744. The average soybean acreage was 738 and average corn acreage was 750. Growers attended the many educational seminars and visited the trade show with 636 booths representing 190 companies.

• ASA announced the new Conservation Legacy Awards that will recognize the environmental contributions of soybean farmers around the nation. This award will allow the soybean industry to recognize those farmers who are voluntarily taking action to conserve our land for future generations.

• ASA presented the first annual Soybean Leadership College with about 75 participants. Classes were conducted on topics such as new uses, future of the soybean industry, media training, conducting meetings, public speaking, legal basics, effective committees, developing issues programs, and soybean research. There were also several marketing classes that addressed international and domestic marketing as well as the realities of marketing biotech crops.

• In November, ASA released the findings of its first-ever Conservation Tillage Study, which shows how the availability of soybean seeds enhanced through biotechnology has allowed and encouraged farmers to implement reduced tillage practices that protect farmland from wind and rain erosion. The study shows that 73 percent of the growers are now leaving more crop residue on the soil surface than they did in 1996, when biotech-derived soybeans became available for commercial planting. ASA estimates that no-till and reduced-till farming is now the preferred planting method on more than 80 percent of all the soybean acres in this country. Reduced tillage practices in soybeans saved 247 million tons of irreplaceable topsoil in 2000, and reduced the number of times a farmer had to run equipment over the field, saving 234 million gallons of fuel.

2002: Under the 2002 Farm Bill, ASA lobbied successfully for soybeans to be treated as a program crop, eligible for benefits under the direct payment and target price income support programs as well as under the marketing loan program. Income support for soybeans includes a $5.00/bushel marketing loan, a $0.44/bu. direct payment, and a $5.80/bu. target price. Based on 85 percent of eligible base acres and on payment yields, the effective level of income support for soybeans is $5.59/bu. compared to $5.26/bu. under the FAIR Act of 1996. Funding was also increased for export promotion programs, food aid programs, and conservation programs.

• The new Farm Bill also created, for the first time, an energy title that extends the Commodity Credit Corporation Bioenergy program for fuel producers who purchase agricultural commodities, such as soybeans, for the purpose of expanding production of biodiesel and ethanol. The program was funded at $204 million, and also provides $5 million ($1 million per year for 5 years) for a biodiesel education grant program.

• On August 6, President George W. Bush signed into law Trade Promotion Authority legislation that ASA has held at the top of its policy agenda for nearly five years. TPA gives the President the ability to negotiate trade agreements that are beneficial to U.S. interests, and then present the agreements to Congress for approval or rejection. More than half the value of the U.S. soybean crop was exported in 2002.

• Following a great deal of work by ASA and state affiliates, the U.S. Senate approved the Comprehensive Energy Bill. The measure, approved by a vote of 88-11, contained several ASA-sponsored provisions that would benefit U.S. soybean growers by increasing the use of biodiesel fuel. The bill created a tax incentive for biodiesel. Under its terms, blenders of biodiesel would receive a 1-cent reduction in the diesel excise tax for every percentage of biodiesel blended with conventional diesel up to 20 percent. The bill also contained a 5 billion gallon renewable fuels standard, of which biodiesel would be an eligible fuel, would allow government fleets to use more biodiesel to meet current energy requirements, and required federal government fleets to use biodiesel and ethanol when they are cost competitive.

• Then in June, the House introduced H.R. 4843, which created a tax incentive for biodiesel. The bill also provided a 1-cent reduction in the diesel fuel excise tax for each percentage of diesel fuel that is blended with biodiesel up to 20 percent, and provided for the reimbursement of the Highway Trust Fund by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation. Although H.R. 4843 was a freestanding bill, the aim was to have its provisions included in the final Energy Bill. Although ASA succeeded in having a biodiesel tax incentive included in the Senate Energy bill, Congress adjourned without agreeing on a final energy bill. Thus, pursuit of incentives to expand use of biodiesel was pushed to the top of ASA's priority list for 2003.

• ASA also testified on Capitol Hill about the importance to soybean farmers of an efficient inland waterway system and the critical need for modernization of locks and dams and guide wall extensions on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. ASA also produced an educational video titled, "Double-Locking" Aboard the Ardyce Randall at Lock 20, which premiered at the Midwest Area River Coalition 2000 annual meeting, and was later mailed to every member of the United States Congress.

• ASA worked with the White House, the U.S. Trade Representative, and USDA to resolve an issue that stopped export contracting to China. As a result of discussions between President Bush and Chinese President Jiang a compromise was reached. The agreement involved the issuance of temporary safety certificates based on safety certificates issued in the exporting country, a solution put forth by ASA. The Chinese also agreed to speed up and simplify the approval process for the applications for safety certificates. Unfortunately, one million tons or more of U.S. soybean shipments were lost or cancelled before the compromise was reached.

• Despite the lost opportunities in China, ASA's international marketing programs supported another record year for U.S. soybean exports with shipments of 29.9 million metric tons, the equivalent of 1.1 billion bushels, up 8.5 percent over 2001. This is the third year in a row that soybean exports have exceeded export levels in the previous year.

• ASA was awarded an additional $1 million in Foreign Market Development funding and an additional $300,000 in Market Access Program funding over prior year levels. This additional $1.3 million to develop international markets for U.S. soy is a direct result of ASA's policy success in increasing funding for the FMD and MAP programs in the 2002 Farm Bill.

• To address concerns that labeling and traceability regulations proposed in the European Union are impractical and not science-based, ASA was involved in meetings with major German agricultural contacts in Berlin, and roundtable discussions about strict segregation of biotech-derived crops as part of the 22nd International Forum on Agricultural Policy. ASA also appealed for biotechnology regulations based on sound scientific principles at an ASA-hosted conference held in Darmstadt.

• A record number of 1,310 growers attended the seventh annual Commodity Classic at the Opryland Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn. The trade show included 624 booths representing 176 agriculture related businesses and organizations. A total of 3,900 people participated.

• The ASA Presidents' Summit provided opportunities for 16 affiliate presidents to discuss key soybean issues and network with each other and national leaders. About 125 people participated in ASA's Soybean Leadership College. ASA, state associations and recruiters worked hard to reach beyond the established membership goal to end the year with 25,565 members.

• USDA made the first purchase of textured soy protein for international food assistance efforts. Florida-based Food For The Poor requested 500 metric tons of TSP for distribution in Guyana where they will use it to help feed children and adults in a country where protein deficiency is common. The federal procurement signals the increasing role that soy products can play in meeting the nutritional needs of the hungry throughout the world. ASA's World Initiative for Soy in Human Health program provided USDA with TSP information that paved its entrance to U.S. food assistance programs. Defatted soy flour, soy protein concentrates, isolated soy protein and soy milk replacer were also added to the list of products eligible for food assistance programs.

2003: Significant developments in Washington, D.C., and around the world were positively influenced by the vigilance of the American Soybean Association (ASA) on issues critical to the profitability of U.S. soybean producers. Despite regulatory challenges and the ongoing controversy surrounding biotech-enhanced crops, world demand for soybeans and soybean products continued to grow while prices paid to farmers greatly improved.

• Producers witnessed the third straight year of soybean exports above the one billion bushel mark, thanks in part to hurdles being overcome that paved the way for China to become the largest export market for U.S. soybeans. Strong domestic and international demand depleted a 2.8 billion bushel U.S. soybean crop to the lowest level of ending stocks since 1976.

• Work by ASA and state affiliates generated a flurry of biodiesel-enhancing legislative initiatives in the 108th Congress including a Biodiesel Tax Incentive to provide a one-cent reduction in the diesel fuel excise tax for each percentage of biodiesel blended with conventional diesel up to 20 percent. EPACT Reform also was introduced to remove the 50 percent cap on biodiesel. Biodiesel use was introduced under the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program and in a Renewable Fuel Standard. A Senate Biofuels Caucus was formed, and USDA announced the final rule for the Bioenergy Program that maintains reimbursement levels for soy-based biodiesel.

• ASA weighed in on the illegal production of Roundup Ready® Soybeans (RRSB) in Brazil, which is giving Brazilian growers an unfair competitive advantage over U.S. growers and exporters. In a White Paper delivered to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), ASA documented that the combination of Brazilian growers not paying royalties on pirated RRSB seed, estimated at 25-30 percent of Brazil’s entire 2002 crop, along with the economic benefits Brazilian growers receive from RRSB technology, gives Brazilian growers an ill-gotten $0.41 to $0.95 per bushel ($15 to $35 per metric ton) competitive advantage over U.S. growers.

• ASA also held numerous discussions with Monsanto officials on the imperative need to develop a system for collecting royalties for the Roundup Ready content of Brazilian exports. As a result, Monsanto implemented a royalty collection system based upon the enforceability of intellectual property rights in the European Union, Japan, and other countries where Monsanto has patent protection. Although it is not a perfect solution, the system presents a viable option given the lack of planting authorization in Brazil, which prevents Monsanto from collecting royalties on its patented seed.

• ASA and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) held a series of meetings to discuss appropriate safeguards necessary to prevent the introduction of Asian soybean rust spores into the U.S. ASA was particularly concerned that due to low ending stocks of domestically produced soybeans, some companies might seek to import whole soybeans or soybean meal from South America where soybean rust has progressed significantly in the last two growing seasons. ASA urged APHIS to implement a rigorous inspection and quarantine process, and if determined necessary by pest risk analysis, to implement a prohibition on whole commodity soybean imports, and adequate inspection and processing procedures for soybean meal.

• ASA also met with USDA researchers and seed breeders on accelerating development of soybean varieties that are tolerant to soybean rust, and ASA pursued increased Federal appropriations for soybean rust work. ASA met with chemical companies to review fungicide products that could be made available to growers, emergency registration of such products, and the availability of such products in response to a sudden soybean rust outbreak in the United States.

• A total of 3,148 people participated in the eighth annual Commodity Classic in Charlotte, North Carolina, including 1,066 soybean and corn growers. The trade show contained 682 booths representing 160 agriculture related businesses and organizations. The power of grassroots advocacy by growers was apparent in ASA’s trade show booth as nearly 2,700 e-mail messages were sent to key members of Congress urging support for legislation to promote biodiesel.

• The first-ever soy foods luncheon on Capitol Hill was presented by ASA. The event drew an estimated 300 people, including Members of Congress and staff from urban and suburban regions where soyfoods are experiencing rapid growth in popularity. The luncheon presented cooking demonstrations by famous chefs and featured various soy protein-based foods. Various displays described ASA’s efforts to promote soy protein in domestic and international markets.

• ASA continued its efforts to make soymilk a reimbursable option as Congress worked to reauthorize federal child nutrition programs. ASA led the soymilk coalition in a second round of meetings with committee staff from the Senate Agriculture Committee and the House Education and the Workforce Committee. ASA’s efforts to add fortified soymilk as a choice for students who cannot drink cow’s milk for health or other reasons gained important support when the American School Food Service Administrators (ASFSA) included backing in its 2003 Legislative Issue Paper.

• ASA contributed soy protein nutritional information to policy makers prior to passage of landmark HIV/AIDS legislation that provides a $15 billion five-year package that expands U.S. leadership in the global fight of HIV/AIDS. ASA urged policy makers to recognize the role nutrition can play in mitigating the effects of HIV/AIDS on populations in developing countries, and called on the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to increase its nutritional emphasis in dealing with the AIDS pandemic. ASA also produced for worldwide distribution a 2-volume CD-ROM presentation designed to help private voluntary organizations include more soy in their feeding programs. The presentation included information about ASA's World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) program, 13 multimedia soy demonstrations, and a collection of more than 20 soy food recipes.

• At a series of river navigation public hearings conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ASA and state soybean leaders provided critical testimony in support of Economic Alternative 6, which calls for construction of seven new locks and five lock extensions on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. ASA provided information to attendees about the importance of river transportation to the soybean industry and agriculture. ASA urged Congress to authorize modernization of these transportation infrastructures in the Water Resources Development Act, and to provide funds to initiate these projects in FY-2004 and FY-2005 appropriations.

• ASA and 20 other major food chain organizations urged the Bush Administration to initiate a dispute settlement proceeding against the European Union’s (EU) new traceability and labeling regulations because they violate the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) provisions of the Uruguay Round agreement. The regulations would negatively impact U.S. agricultural exports to the EU, and would set a precedent for similar trade-restrictive actions by other countries.

2004: As economic forces of supply and demand pushed spring soybean futures to the highest levels in more than 15 years, ASA took pride in its domestic and international demand-building activities that helped make it possible. This year’s new soybean crop reached a production record 3.14 billion bushels with a record yield of 42.5 bushels per acre. For marketing year 2003-2004, U.S. soybean exports exceeded 1.1 billion bushels, the highest level ever.

• ASA hosted its second annual soyfoods luncheon in March, to demonstrate why soyfoods are becoming increasingly popular in the U.S. and overseas. Themed "Soy Good: Kids and Adults Love It!" the event highlighted the benefits of soyfoods for consumers of all ages. A wide array of soy foods was provided that are appropriate for events ranging from fine-dining menus to U.S. and global school meals. The event provided an opportunity for policymakers and their staffs to experience how great soyfoods taste in addition to being good for them.

• The Child Nutrition and WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Reauthorization Act of 2004 was signed into law in June, marking an important step forward for soymilk in federal nutrition programs. As a result of ASA lobbying, the new law allows children who cannot drink cow’s milk to be served soymilk with only a note from the parent, a significant improvement over the old practice, which required a doctor’s note. Soymilk manufacturers have expressed enthusiasm for the new provisions and high interest in working with schools to make soymilk available. The value of the provision to the soy industry has been estimated at millions of dollars annually.

• The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) included record-levels of value-added soy protein products in its fiscal 2004 Food for Progress program. Donations to 22 developing countries include soy flour, textured soy protein, and soy protein concentrate (USDA’s first purchase of this product), plus soybean meal, whole soybeans, soybean oil and corn-soy blend with an estimated commercial value exceeding $19 million. ASA’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) program was instrumental in providing to the government and to private voluntary organizations the nutritional information that led to greater recognition of the benefits of soy protein.

• Legislation to build new 1,200-foot locks was introduced in both houses of the U.S. Congress. On May 20, S. 2470 was introduced in the Senate, and on July 8, H.R. 4785 was introduced in the House. The legislation provides construction authorization to replace seven locks on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Waterway costing about $1.6 billion (50 percent cost-shared) along with $1.6 billion in ecosystem restoration for the Upper Mississippi. Upgrading locks and dams is a top policy priority for ASA because 75 percent of U.S. soybean exports are shipped down the Mississippi River to customers worldwide.

• In October, ASA achieved one its most important legislative victories when President George W. Bush signed into law a bill containing the first-ever biodiesel tax incentive. Passage of the biodiesel tax incentive and extension of the ethanol tax incentive was realized as part of H.R. 4520, also known as the American JOBS Creation Act of 2004. For every 100 million gallons of soy-based biodiesel demand, the price of a bushel of soybeans is expected to increase by 10 cents. That could add an average of another $2,000 to the bottom line of farmers growing 500 acres of soybeans. The tax incentive will take effect Jan. 1, 2005, and lasts for two years. It is expected to provide an economic surge in several sectors of the U.S. economy including manufacturing, agriculture, and all sectors that provide support services to these industries.

• ASA held numerous meetings with Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) staff and USDA policy officials to ensure that the U.S. was protected from the accidental introduction of Asian soybean rust via imports. ASA urged USDA to more rapidly undertake development of a national strategy for controlling and mitigating the potential for an infestation. And in a year when Congress chose to fund virtually no new research programs, ASA helped secure more than $1 million in new funding for soybean rust research.

• ASA actively worked with manufacturers, USDA and EPA to increase the availability of fungicide treatments. Prior to this time, there were only two chemicals approved for use on soybeans for Asian rust. By the end of the year, there were six chemicals approved, with at least 8 different fungicide products available for farmers to buy. Full registration was pending for one additional product, and approval was pending for three additional chemicals under Section 18.

• ASA implemented grower education programs that included an ASA-hosted conference in January, and a series of seven regional education meetings during the summer. ASA provided it’s members with a special "Soybean Rust Backgrounder," followed by a "Growers’ Guide to Soybean Rust," and ultimately, a 20-page "Soybean Rust Reference Guide."

• On August 20, ASA was the only organization to go on record confirming a reported case of Asian soybean rust that was identified north of Cali, Colombia, about five degrees north of the equator in South America. Confirmation of soybean rust above the equator signaled the advancement of spores in the direction of the continental U.S.

• Advance preparation of a Soybean Rust Crisis Communications Plan made it possible for ASA to quickly and effectively take action following confirmation on November 10, that Asian soybean rust had been found on soybean leaf samples collected from two research plots near Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

• The 2004 Commodity Classic achieved record-breaking success in Las Vegas. Total attendance was 4,112, an all-time high for the nine-year-old event. The number of growers in attendance was also a record at 1,517. The Commodity Classic Trade Show contained 675 booths representing 173 companies. There were 91 media representatives registered this year.

• At the beginning of fiscal year 2004, ASA had 25,045 members, and by the end of the year, 25,804, a net increase of 759 members, which is a gain of slightly more than 3 percent. In total, 23 state associations achieved their membership goals for 2004.

2005: Concerns about the impact of Asian Soybean Rust disease dominated the industry’s attention until after the pods were filled. Discovered in the continental United States for the first time in October 2004, ASA continued its educational commitment to soybean growers with a winter series of Soybean Rust Seminars. A total of five one-day seminars were held for 945 participating producers.

• ASA also developed a comprehensive Soybean Rust Information Center. This Internet resource is a significantly expanded version of ASA’s highly regarded 20-page Soybean Rust Reference Guide, which was distributed to all ASA members and all attendees of ASA’s winter series of Soybean Rust Seminars.

• After strong encouragement from ASA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture provided additional funding for soybean rust surveillance and monitoring. The framework allows for reporting where soybean rust has been confirmed, as well as predicting where it was likely to spread during the 2005-growing season. Later in the year, ASA also secured USDA funding for the 2006-growing season.

• ASA teamed-up with Doane Agricultural Services Company to launch the Soybean Rust Advisory Program, an online resource designed to provide advice about the prevention and treatment of soybean rust. This resource utilized a nationwide network of crop consultants who monitored the progression of confirmed soybean rust outbreaks in the U.S. and provides growers with fungicide application recommendations based on regional analysis.

• In 2005, U.S. soybean producers were very fortunate. The weather conditions throughout most of the year were about as unfavorable for soybean rust as they could be. Outbreaks were limited to a few areas in the deep south, where growers were able to minimize the economic impact of the disease by applying fungicides.

• In January, the USDA publicized a final rule to implement a program of preferred procurement of biobased products by federal agencies. This final rule was the result of ASA-supported provisions in the 2002 Farm Bill. The rule requires all federal agencies to preferentially purchase biobased products, such as biodiesel, that have been designated by USDA as eligible under this program.

• In July, ASA hailed passage of the Energy Bill as a crucial step forward in establishing biodiesel as a long-term component of the nation’s energy supply. The legislation contains major ASA-supported provisions including an extension of the federal excise tax credit for biodiesel through 2008, creation of a new small agri-biodiesel producer credit, provisions for alternate fuel infrastructure and establishment of a 7.5 billion gallon renewable fuels standard. Biodiesel production tripled to over 75 million gallons in 2004.

• Also in July, ASA congratulated the U.S. House of Representative for passage of H.R. 2864, the Water Resources Development Act of 2005. The legislation, which provides $1.72 billion in funding authorization for lock improvements and $1.58 billion for ecosystem restoration, was overwhelmingly passed by a vote of 406-14. This is truly a victory for the ASA and for all water resources stakeholders. This legislation authorizes construction of seven new 1,200-foot navigation locks, small-scale navigation improvements, and ecosystem restoration on the upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. By the end of the legislative session, WRDA was still waiting Senate floor action.

• ASA lobbied hard and gained Congressional approval of an historic trade agreement between the United States, the Dominican Republic, and the Central American countries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Economists estimate the agreement could boost U.S. agricultural exports by $1.5 billion when fully implemented. This is great news for U.S. soybean farmers because CAFTA-DR will solidify the U.S. position as the preferred supplier of soybeans and soybean products to these Central American nations. The six CAFTA-DR countries represent a growing region of 45 million people that imported $264 million in U.S. soy products during 2004.

• ASA also celebrated a decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Research Initiative (NRI) Competitive Grants Program to provide up to $5 million of funding for functional genomics and bioinformatics on legume crops such as soybeans. This announcement is the culmination of a four-year cooperative effort led by ASA. This new $5 million in funding is an important investment in the future of U.S. soybean production that will help us better understand disease resistance in general, and identify genes that can be useful in other ways to protect the soybean crop.

• To better serve its members, ASA developed online information resources that are available in a new "members-only" section of its SoyGrowers.com web site. Included is an online edition of the ASA Today newsletter, an electronic version of ASA’s Weekly Leader Letter, an archive of previous issues, and the Soybean Rust Information Center. More than 6,000 members took also advantage of an opportunity to sign up to receive the Weekly Leader Letter via email.

• The 2005 Commodity Classic in Austin was attended by more than 3,300 participants including 1,046 growers and 85 media representatives. The Trade Show contained 708 booths representing 186 exhibitors. About 850 people attended the ASA Awards Banquet on Friday night. ASA held its SoyPAC Founders Event. More than 125 ASA members invested an initial $250 in the PAC, and more than 150 other ASA members invested various amounts.

• At the beginning of fiscal year 2005, ASA had 25,804 members, and by the end of the year, 25,013 members, a net decrease of 791, which is a loss of slightly more than 3 percent. In total, 12 state associations achieved their membership goals for 2005.

• Farmer leaders from the American Soybean Association, the National Corn Growers Association and the National Cotton Council met in Chicago on May 9, for an ASA-organized international news conference that recognized the planting of the one-billionth acre of biotech-enhanced crops. ASA managed the news conference and worldwide distribution of press materials. Globally, six percent of canola, 11 percent of cotton, 23 percent of corn and 60 percent of soybeans were grown from biotech-enhanced seedstock.

• USDA confirmed U.S. soybean exports during marketing year 2004/05 exceeded 1.1 billion bushels (bil. bu). This year’s all-time record is more than 3 percent higher than the previous record of 1.063 bil. bu. set in MY2001. These results are a positive reflection on the efficiency of ASA’s international market development program, and the market-opening policy efforts carried out by ASA.

• Negotiations and work toward reaching a mutually agreeable way forward with the United Soybean Board on International Marketing absorbed much of ASA leadership’s time and attention. Ultimately, a Memorandum of Understanding with USB was reached on the formation of a new international marketing entity that was jointly founded and controlled by ASA and USB, and work on a final agreement and implementation details continued.

• Beginning October 1, 2005, ASA and USB formed the United States Soybean Export Council to implement the International Marketing program for U.S. soybeans. ASA worked hard to make the USSEC as successful as possible through a myriad of start-up and transition issues, while also asking that USSEC and USB honor in good faith financial commitments to ASA. The USSEC board will consist of representatives from ASA, USB, and the U.S. soybean industry.

2006: The year will be remembered by some as a year of exceptional yields, and by others, a year of frustrating drought. It was also another year when “unfavorable” weather conditions and grower preparedness minimized the potential negative impact of Asian Soybean Rust. The city of Anaheim welcomed corn and soybean growers and their families to the 10^th Anniversary Commodity Classic, plans were announced to decode the DNA of the soybean, and more than 100 attendees took part in ASA’s Leadership College.

§         In its ongoing efforts to educate growers about Asian soybean rust disease, ASA, in cooperation with U.S. Department of Agriculture, hosted a series of five rust education meetings. About 450 participants attended the meetings entitled “Beyond 2005-Preparing for Rust is a Must.” Everyone who attended the meetings received a free Soybean Rust Wheel Chart that details soybean plant growth stages and treatment effectiveness at different growth stages.

§         ASA members raised nearly $45,000 in the first annual Soy Social and Auction, which ASA organized to benefit SoyPAC. SoyPAC resources will be used to support congressional candidates that have routinely championed soybean priorities in Congress.

§         Members of Congress and their staffs got a taste of why soyfoods are playing an increasing role in healthy diets at ASA’s fourth annual Congressional Soyfoods Lunch on Capitol Hill. By hosting the annual Congressional Soyfoods Lunch on Capitol Hill, ASA helps to increase awareness among policymakers and other government officials of soyfoods and their benefits.

§         With high petroleum prices prompting Congress to consider another energy bill, ASA outlined its biodiesel legislative priorities for Congress to consider. Specifically, ASA asked Congress to include in any energy package legislation: 1. Extending the volumetric biodiesel tax incentive; 2. Extending small agri-biodiesel producer credit; and 3. Authoring and funding a CCC Biodiesel program. By taking these actions, ASA estimates on-road diesel supplies could be increased by as much as 2 percent by 2015.

§         ASA signed an agreement in Washington, D.C., that promotes long-term trade and cooperation with China. During a Capitol Hill trade conference, ASA signed the memorandum of understanding with the Chinese Soybean Chamber of Commerce, whose members attending the signing ceremony were responsible for 67 percent of all the soybeans imported into China last year. The three-year agreement renewed a 2003 agreement. It includes measures to increase trade and cooperation, such as the exchange of information on topics ranging from soybean use to solutions to trade issues.

§         U.S. soybean leaders and staff gathered in Tokyo, Japan, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the opening of the first ASA overseas office. The opening has historic significance because ASA’s Japan office was the very first overseas commodity office to receive funding for market development activities from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The event also marked 50 years of partnership between U.S. soybean farmers and the Japanese soybean industry.

§         ASA representatives had numerous discussions with top U.S. trade negotiators to ensure that U.S. soybean farmer trade priorities were advanced. ASA representatives traveled to Hong Kong, China for the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference. ASA advocated that: 1. Substantial improvement in real market access in both developed and developing countries to expand world demand for soy and livestock products; 2. Agreement that developing countries that are world-class exporters will take on commitments similar to developed countries; 3. Elimination of differential export taxes;  4. The degree to which trade distorting domestic support is reduced must be commensurate with the degree to which real market access gains are achieved; 5. Commitment to a 2007 Farm Bill that provides an adequate safety net through WTO-compliant programs, and that corrects the imbalances in farm program benefits that have negatively affected U.S. soybean plantings.

§         A World Trade Organization dispute settlement panel sided with the United States, Canada and Argentina who had argued that the European Union’s review process for biotech commodities was broken and unfairly restricted trade. ASA had strongly pushed the U.S. Government to challenge the EU’s moratorium. While welcoming this WTO ruling against Europe’s flawed and non-science based approval process, ASA called on the Administration to promptly mount a WTO challenge against Europe’s discriminatory traceability and labeling laws that apply to biotech crops.

§         ASA outlined for the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation the tremendous potential and benefits that offshore aquaculture could bring to U.S. soybean farmers and seafood consumers. ASA is supporting legislation to establish a regulatory framework for commercial offshore aquaculture in the United States. Since 1990, the aquaculture industry has been growing at an average compound rate of around 10 percent a year, making it one of the world’s fastest growing forms of food production. Soybean farmers have identified offshore aquaculture as a significant new market for U.S. soybeans as many studies project a significant increase in global farmed-fish production over the next 15 years and the unsustainability of wild fish harvests to supply the needed fishmeal.

§         The United States Senate passed S. 728, the Water Resources Development Act of 2005, by a voice vote, signaling a great victory for soybean growers. The House passed WRDA in July 2005, by a vote of 406-14. ASA has made passage of legislation to improve U.S. transportation infrastructure a top priority, and for many years the ASA, its state affiliates and grassroots members have worked tirelessly for passage. Unfortunately the Congressional calendar ran out before the Senate and House could go into conference to resolve differences and produce a final bill.

§         When USDA announced 2006 fiscal year allocations for multiple agricultural promotion programs, ASA was a leading recipient of funding with awards of more than $12 million. This level of success is a credit to the U.S. Soybean Export Council and the ASA International Marketing staff who manage and implement market development programs for U.S. soy, and importantly, to the farmer-directors of USB and ASA who guide the IM efforts and strategic plan.

§         ASA urged Congress to increase support levels for soybeans to competitive levels if current farm programs are renewed in the 2007 Farm Bill. In testimony before the House Agriculture Committee, ASA stated that soybean farmers support the basic structure of farm programs under the 2002 Farm Bill, but believe adjustments are needed in oilseed support levels in the event these programs are reauthorized.

§         ASA participated in a meeting of the Soy Transportation Coalition in Chicago. State association and checkoff participants, as well as ASA, USSEC, and the United Soybean Board attended. Industry participants represented the National Oilseed Processors Association and the National Grain and Feed Association. The group discussed possible structures for the coalition, as well as short and long-term priorities, with a goal of having an impact on rail transportation issues in the long term.

2007: U.S. soybean farmers planted 11.8 million fewer acres of soybeans in 2007 than they planted in 2006. This 15.6 percent reduction was primarily caused by high corn prices driven by the demand for ethanol. Economists debated how many of these soybean acres will be gain back in 2008 given $10 to $11 per bushel soybean price levels, and whether these prices will be short-lived or if they signal a new and sustainable global benchmark for agricultural products.

§         U.S. exports of soybeans plus soybean meal reached 1.1 billion bushels for MY2005/2006, including over 947 million bushels of soybeans and over 154 million bushels equivalent of soybean meal. China continued to be the number one market for U.S. soybeans, buying just over 356 million bushels. Mexico came in as the top export market for both soybean meal and soybean oil.

§         ASA hosted soy industry representatives at the inaugural AgriBusiness Council meeting in Washington, D.C. The Council provides a forum for soybean producer leaders and representatives from a broad spectrum of companies across the soybean industry to discuss issues critical to the future of the U.S. soybean sector, and to develop strategies for working together to achieve mutual goals.

§         The Internal Revenue Service has granted 501(c)(3) charitable organization status to the World Soy Foundation (WSF), a program of ASA’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) program. The WSF was created by WISHH to provide food, educate Private Voluntary Organizations and conduct nutritional services. With this designation, individual donors, public and private foundations, corporations and industry will now receive tax deductibility for their contributions to these humanitarian works.

§         ASA supported new legislation to reauthorize the important George McGovern-Robert Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition program. In recent years, the international school-feeding program has used U.S. soy to provide children with better nutrition that helped them to learn. The new legislation continues the program in fiscal years 2008 to 2012, under the oversight of the USDA. The bill called for increased funding over five years, beginning with $140 million in FY 2008 and reaching $300 million in FY 2012.

§         ASA celebrated years of work and congratulated Congress for final passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which authorizes much-needed improvements to waterways that are vital to the transport of U.S. soybeans. The Senate voted 79-14 and the House of Representatives voted 361-54 to override the President’s veto. This was only the 107th time in the history of the United States that Congress has overridden a Presidential veto. Although these authorized projects must still be funded through the annual federal appropriations process, ASA is very pleased that this major step has been accomplished.

§         ASA lauded a U.S. trade agreement reached with the Republic of Korea for creating landmark opportunities for U.S. soybeans, soybean meal, soybean oil, food-grade soybeans, meat and poultry exports. U.S. negotiators worked hard to achieve ASA’s objectives. ASA continued to work during the year to achieve Congressional approval of the agreement.

§         ASA ranked #1 in Foreign Market Development (FMD) program funding when USDA released its 2007 fiscal year export promotion totals. USDA released the summary of the $234 million that USDA has provided to help market American agricultural products overseas. ASA received $7,380,344 in Foreign Market Development (FMD) funds. Additionally, ASA ranked 9th in Market Access Program (MAP) allocations with a total of $7,849,268 for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30. These allocations will provide ASA with the resources to continue to provide a major portion of funding for the export promotion activities being managed by USSEC staff in Saint Louis, and implemented by the ASA International Marketing staff located around the world.

§         ASA formed a Biotech Working Group to provide a forum for grower representatives to consult with biotechnology companies on their commercialization, domestic and international regulatory approvals status, and stewardship plans. ASA’s goal is to bring these new soy technologies to farmers just as quickly as possible, while at the same time safeguarding important export markets. ASA also conducted a series of advocacy missions to the European Union (EU). ASA’s proactive advocacy program complements and augments ongoing ASA International Marketing efforts to educate and motivate key EU livestock, feed industry, Member State officials that the Roundup Ready 2 Yield™, Liberty LinkÒ and OptimumÒ GATÒ biotech soybean varieties are targeted to be commercialized in 2009, with a full pipeline of additional soy events to follow.

§         ASA initiated a letter to President Bush from 12 farm organizations urging a correction to the severe imbalance in the agriculture text in the WTO Doha negotiations. The groups expressed deep concern with the status and direction of the Doha round of WTO agricultural negotiations, and stated that the level of ambition in obtaining access to both developed and developing countries must be commensurate with the level of ambition in cutting trade distorting domestic support. Due to its standing as a strong supporter of trade liberalization and trade agreements, the ASA was asked by other U.S. agricultural organizations to take the lead in meetings with U.S. trade negotiators to discuss these concerns during the WTO negotiations in Geneva.

§         More than 4,000 growers and their families attended the 2007 Commodity Classic in Tampa. The event drew the second largest crowd behind the 2004 event in Las Vegas. More than 1,300 growers from ASA, the National Corn Growers Association and the National Association of Wheat Growers learned ways to improve profitability and productivity on their farms. More than 100 media participated.

§         More than 80 items were sold and 270 people participated in the ASA SoyPAC auction held in conjunction with the Commodity Classic. $50,000 was raised to help ASA support the political campaigns of lawmakers who support soybean farmer-friendly legislation.

§         Members of Congress, congressional staff, government officials, and farmer leaders enjoyed a luncheon featuring a wide-variety of tasty soyfoods and beverages at ASA’s fifth annual Congressional Soyfoods Lunch on Capitol Hill. Approximately 400 people attended the event, which showcased a selection of foods and beverages made from soybeans. The annual event provides a unique opportunity for the U.S. soybean industry to give Members of Congress, their staff, and other government officials, a taste of the ever-expanding selection of fabulous soyfoods and beverages available.

§         ASA worked throughout the year on a new Farm Bill that would provide a basic safety net for farmers, support for energy and conservation programs, funding for nutrition programs, and a Quality Incentive Program to promote increased production of high-stability soybeans and other oilseeds to replace trans fats in food products. Several versions of the legislation were passed by Congress, but the year ended without agreement on a final bill.

2008: Following intense lobbying efforts by the ASA, state soybean associations and many other organizations in the agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and energy industries, the "Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008" passed both Houses of Congress. The new Farm Bill includes key ASA priorities, including increasing the soybean target price to $6.00 per bushel, authorizing a new Bioenergy Program and providing $300 million in funding for biodiesel producers through 2012, continuing to fund the Biodiesel Education Program at $1 million per year, and authorizing a new Quality Incentive Program to promote production of soybeans with high-stability oil that can replace trans fats in food products.

§         A delegation of Chinese buyers from 14 import companies ended their tour of the U.S. with a final stop in St. Louis on June 16, to sign contracts worth a total of $5.3 billion, $4.5 billion of which was in soybean contracts. ADM, Cargill and Bunge were among eight U.S. soybean export companies that signed contracts. ASA, USB and the USSEC helped facilitate the contracts with the China Chamber of Commerce for Import/Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products.

§         ASA formed a Market Performance Working Group to examine the issues affecting markets and to make recommendations on what might be done to improve the situation. While farmers certainly welcomed higher prices for their crops, soybean and other farmers had increasingly become concerned about the growing lack of convergence between futures and cash prices, whether fund participation in markets and related volatility has resulted in a larger than normal basis, and the fact that many elevators had stopped offering bids for grain beyond 60 days. ASA encouraged Commodity Futures Trading Commission to take a number of steps that would improve futures market performance and allow traditional hedgers to have greater confidence in futures markets.

§         ASA joined other commodity groups in a letter to Board members of the Grocery Manufacturers Association expressing deep disappointment with the negative "food before fuel" public relations campaign that GMA and member companies have authorized and funded. ASA stated that its farmer-members are surprised and offended that GMA board members would take this public stance given the long-term partnership of farmers and food companies to feed the world. "In our opinion, the GMA campaign to influence U.S. biofuels policy also falsely portrays to the public and Congress that farmers are greedy, irresponsible environmental stewards, and unmoved by world hunger and rising retail food prices," the letter states. The letter goes on to say "In your efforts to change U.S. biofuels policy, please stop also blaming American farmers and questioning our collective ability to rise to the opportunity and challenge, as we always have, to produce plenty of food, feed, fiber and fuel."

§         Following months of diligent work by the ASA, USDA announced it would use 2007 and 2008 Season Average Prices in determining the revenue guarantee for the new ACRE program. ASA’s legwork to generate support for using 2007 and 2008 figures was key to USDA’s last-minute decision. ASA grower leaders and staff worked throughout the fall meeting with Members of Congress, USDA officials and Office of Management and Budget officials to press their case. This ASA policy success provides a revenue guarantee that is $60 to $70 per acre higher than if USDA had used 2006 and 2007 prices, and makes available to U.S. soybean farmers billions of additional dollars in revenue guarantees.

§         To educate growers about the roles of the ASA and the soybean checkoff, ASA launched a campaign that explains the difference and encourages soybean farmers to join their state soybean association. While the law prevents soybean checkoff dollars from being used to fund policy work and lobbying, ASA, as a voluntary dues-paying membership organization can, and does, do those things on behalf of soybean farmers. The campaign theme "If you believe, belong." emphasizes that soybean growers believe the work ASA does is important, and, therefore, they should become a member if they are not already.

§         A record number of people participated in the 2008 Commodity Classic Feb. 28-March 1, in Nashville. Total registrations were 4,534, up 422 or more than 10 percent over the previous record of 4,112 set in Las Vegas in 2004. Registrations this year included 1,479 growers, very near the record of 1,517 set in 2004. Media registrations also set a record at 145, 23 more than the previous record of 122. The Trade Show was a sell-out with 847 booths, the highest number of booths ever, reflecting a 20 percent increase over the previous record set in 2005. The ASA Auction generated just over $64,000 for ASA’s SoyPAC, which was the most ever since the SoyPAC was established.

§         ASA celebrated the final passage of legislation that included an extension of the biodiesel tax incentive for one year through Dec. 31, 2009, and provisions to shut down the abusive “splash and dash” practice. Enactment of the biodiesel tax credit represents a significant legislative achievement on a key ASA priority because the growth in biodiesel sales has raised soybean bushel prices by a conservative estimate of at least $2.00 per bushel.

§         ASA was credited with playing a key role in defeating a ban in Poland that was to prohibit import, production and use of animal feed derived from biotech crops. Avoiding this ban prevented the disruption of U.S. manufactured feed to Poland, worth $100 million annually. The GM feed ban was defeated by a coalition of the Polish Feed Millers, Poultry Association, and Pork Association, and U.S. trade associations, led by ASA.

§         ASA’s many years of farm and trade policy work, and its long history of building export markets, were largely responsible for the record level of U.S. soybean exports reported by the USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Service. In its year end report, USDA/FAS announced soybean exports exceeding 30.449 metric tons, equivalent to 1.118 million bushels, for Marketing Year 2007/08. China was again the largest buyer of U.S. soybeans at 490.6 mil. bu. The European Union-27 was second with 143.1 mil. bu.; Mexico was third with 131.3 mil. bu.; and Japan was fourth with 99.5 mil. bu. Collectively, these four buyers represented 77 percent of total U.S. soybean exports during MY 2007/08.

§         ASA worked with U.S. negotiators in Geneva who rejected proposals in the Doha trade negotiations that did not provide sufficient market access for U.S. producers. The latest proposal would have sharply reduced U.S. domestic support programs, while allowing developing countries to increase tariffs on key agricultural products above their current levels. ASA continues to support the WTO framework as the most effective means for expanding world trade, including access to foreign markets for U.S. soybean and livestock product exports, but believes that any WTO agreement must result in meaningful export gains.

§         In the best interest of U.S. soybean farmers, the ASA Board of Directors voted unanimously on Dec. 9, to ask the Secretary of Agriculture to order an Office of Inspector General investigation and financial audit of the National Soybean Checkoff Program. The ASA petition filed with Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer and the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Agriculture called for an investigation of the United Soybean Board and the U.S. Soybean Export Council to ensure that soybean checkoff dollars are being managed and invested as prescribed by law.

§         Cargill awarded $499,000 to ASA’s World Soy Foundation. This is the largest corporate donation to WSF today. The funding will be used to implement nutritional programs in Central America, including Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua for the next three years.

2009: ASA submitted its policy priorities to the Obama Administration ahead of the inauguration on January 20. By developing and advocating soybean farmer top policy priorities to the incoming Administration, ASA continued its rich tradition of working in the best interest of U.S. soybean farmers.

§         Top ASA priorities included support for domestic livestock production, in-kind food aid, crop biotechnology, sustainable agriculture, offshore fish farms, a modernized infrastructure system, implementation of the biobased label and the BioPreferred Procurement Program, Congressional passage of pending free trade agreements (FTAs) with Colombia, South Korea and Panama, and that renewable fuel policies involving direct and indirect land use metrics be based on sound science and verifiable, transparent data so that biodiesel’s impact on greenhouse gas emissions could be accurately assessed.

§         ASA urged the Administration to address slow or non-functioning import approval systems in foreign countries that could negatively affect U.S. soy exports, and pressed for Presidential Trade Promotion Authority, long-term enactment of the biodiesel tax credit, and Farm Bill implementation that provides maximum benefits to U.S. soybean farmers.

§         Following months of diligent work by ASA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it would use the 2007 and 2008 Season Average Prices in determining the revenue guarantee for the new Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program. This ASA policy success provided a revenue guarantee $60 to $70 per acre higher than if USDA had used 2006 and 2007 prices, and made available to U.S. soybean farmers billions of additional dollars in revenue guarantees.

§         ASA reiterated the importance of the farm safety net as written in the 2008 Farm Bill, and that it should not be reopened before it expires in 2012. The small investment in agricultural programs by the federal government provides an excellent return for the American people. The 2008 Farm Bill also includes many other reforms that will assist farmers in becoming more financially sound. Production agriculture is a volatile business, and a workable farm safety net is vital to the security of the U.S. soybean industry.

§         Thanks to ASA’s advocacy, USDA continued to provide funding for the Asian Soybean Rust Pest Information Platform for Education and Extension (PIPE). ASA worked with USDA and Congress to secure federal funding for PIPE because the system helps protect the $30 billion U.S. soybean crop and saves soybean producers millions of dollars annually. USDA funds are leveraged with federal and state checkoff investments and available state funding to maintain a soybean rust sentinel plot and diagnostic network.

§         Beginning with the January 2009 edition of the Association’s members-only newsletter, the ASA Today was redesigned for the first time in more than 10 years. The new design provides a more contemporary look that better reflects the progressive policy agenda and advocacy work of the ASA.

§         The sold out trade show at the 2009 Commodity Classic Feb. 26-28, at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas, was the largest in Commodity Classic history, with more than 236 companies in more than 943 booths. The trade show has more than doubled in size since the first Commodity Classic held in 1996. Total registrations were 4,527 including 1,513 growers and 137 media.

§         More than 83 items were sold and 350 people participated in the ASA Soy Social and Auction on Thursday, Feb 26. More than $52,000 was raised. The auction proceeds are used to benefit SoyPAC, ASA’s political action committee.

§         On April 2, ASA celebrated more than a decade of diligent and persistent work on behalf of U.S. soybean farmers to advance global acceptance of new biotech soybean traits after LibertyLink® soybeans (A2704-12) from Bayer CropScience received food safety approval from the Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). This final regulatory approval in South Korea cleared the way for unrestricted planting in the U.S. and importation into all major markets for LibertyLink soybeans, along with Roundup Ready 2 Yield™ Soybean (MON 89788) from Monsanto, which received final KFDA regulatory approval on Feb. 27.

§         USDA announced implementation of provisions of the 2008 Farm Bill that support growth of biofuels production in the U.S., including biodiesel. The initiatives include $30 million in funding for the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels, which ASA successfully lobbied for during the farm bill debate. Under this program, U.S. biodiesel producers using domestic feedstocks will receive payments to help compete with petroleum-based diesel and with imported biodiesel, which can be subsidized by foreign governments.

§         ASA and other members of the American Oilseed Coalition (AOC) identified to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ron Kirk countries that are priorities for the U.S. oilseed industry for future FTAs. ASA’s top priorities include ASEAN countries, including Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam, Turkey, Egypt, and India. These countries offer potential market growth expansion not only for soybeans and soybean meal and oil, but for exports of pork and poultry products as well.

§         ASA won two first place awards from the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) in the Best of NAMA competition. ASA won first place in the category of "Producer Funded Public Relations Program to Ag Audiences." ASA also won first place in the "Single-page Ads—Single" category. The campaign goal was to increase soybean grower awareness and understanding of ASA while emphasizing the importance of membership.

§         On Nov. 4, ASA outlined its concerns and issues for climate change legislation. ASA is concerned with the impacts that could result from enactment of legislation that unilaterally subjects U.S. farmers, manufacturers and other businesses to emissions caps and increased energy costs without appropriate measures to ensure that the U.S. maintains economic competitiveness. 

§         Despite the full court press employed by ASA, state soybean associations, and the biodiesel industry, and many individuals, the biodiesel tax incentive so vital to the U.S. biodiesel industry expired on December 31. While ASA was successful in getting legislation to extend the biodiesel tax incentive passed in the House on December 9, the Senate’s singular focus on health care legislation prevented action on a tax extenders package.

§         ASA congratulated USDA for its efforts to elevate the stature and credibility of agricultural research with the establishment of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Expanding agricultural research and establishing NIFA has long been an ASA priority. NIFA’s mission is to stimulate and fund the research and technological innovations that will enhance and make American agriculture more productive and environmentally sustainable while ensuring the economic viability of agriculture.

§         On Nov. 11, USDA announced funding received by 70 U.S. trade organizations during Fiscal Year 2009 to promote U.S. food and agriculture exports under the Market Access Program (MAP) and the Foreign Market Development (FMD) Cooperator Program administered by the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). Under MAP, ASA’s generic ceiling was $5,168,853, plus an additional $300,000 under GBI (global broad-based initiatives) for a total of $5,468,853. Under FMD, ASA’s generic ceiling was $7,351,169. This brought ASA’s total to $12,820,022 in funding for promotion of U.S. soybeans and soybean products.

§         ASA achieved a 1.4 percent growth in membership in fiscal year 2009, compared to 2008. FY09 ended Sept. 30. The final total was 22,579 members. ASA congratulated recruiters and the state soybean associations.

§         As 2009 drew to a close, U.S. soy exports were setting a record for the third consecutive year with exports of 1.58 billion bushels. Whole soybean exports totaled 1.28 billion bushels and soymeal exports equaled 300 million bushels, a combined value exceeding $16.3 billion. A delayed harvest did not dampen expectations for record soybean production forecast at 3.32 billion bushels.

Also see:

ASA Year In Review