ISA Participates in U.S. Soy Buyers Outlook Conference in Japan and Korea

Nov 27, 2023

Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) Chair Mike Koehne, a Greensburg farmer, recently promoted the benefits of U.S. soybeans to buyers in Japan and Korea. The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) hosted the 2023 U.S. Soy Buyers Outlook Conference Nov. 14-15 in Tokyo, Japan and Nov. 16-17 in Seoul, Korea. Hundreds of crushers, feed millers, soy food processors, and soybean buyers participated in the conferences.

Koehne raises high oleic and food-grade soybeans, some of which are shipped to Japan. He was one of three U.S. farmers who attended the conference and spoke on a panel about harvest expectations, the quality of U.S. soybeans, sustainability and conservation practices used on the farm, and the benefits of soy protein. American Soybean Association President Daryl Cates, a farmer from Illinois, and Ohio Soybean Council Chairman Jeff Magyar also participated.

Koehne said there was strong interest in food-grade soybeans.

USSEC said soy is an integral part of Asian cultural and culinary heritage, and the U.S. Soy industry is working to deliver high-quality, sustainable, affordable soybeans to meet current and growing future demand in those markets.

Koehne said it’s critical to maintain these markets and relationships as Japan and Korea are some of the top importers of U.S. non-GMO food grade soybeans. A first-generation farmer, Koehne said checkoff investments help make it possible.

This is the first time that ISA has participated in the U.S. Soy Buyers Outlook Conference. Ed Ebert, senior director of market development, explained it was valuable experience with good communication between USSEC staff, U.S. farmers, and Japanese and Korean customers.

Pence Group, a Lafayette, Ind.-based agriculture company, was at the conference in Japan to help develop global opportunities for non-GMO soybeans. The company serves producers and agribusinesses with seed, seed processing, farm drainage, and custom hauling solutions. Pence Group provides customers with corn, soybean, and cover-crop seed from several leading brands. The Redwood Group, which has ties to southern Indiana, participated in both the Japan and Korea conferences.

Click here to see more...

Video: Air Command Section Control for Pro-Force Spreaders

This patented section control system uses air to divert material on to different areas of the spinner disks for precise 4-section control, for an economical design by eliminating the need for added conveyor belts or movable spreader components. The section control uses the Raven RCM ISOBUS controller and a customer’s field boundary and coverage map to automatically turn off any of the four sections at any time to avoid applying valuable fertilizer in areas where it’s not needed.

This results in fertilizer savings which means more money in your pocket for a maximum Return On Investment. The powerful blower fan sends air through a 4-section manifold while the conveyor automatically speeds up or slows down as sections are turned on or off for consistent and precise fertilizer application.

• The revolutionary patented Air Command section control utilizes a pneumatic system to accurately place fertilizer onto the spinner disks to give you individualized 4-section control of your spread pattern.

• Pinpoint accuracy of four individual sections allows you to operate the system with ease. This robust design with few moving parts offers no gimmicks, just real-world results.

• The new Air Command section control option is available on pull-type models 2250 and 1850 with the new PTO drive system, and on 1450, 1250 and 1050 pull-type models with standard single hydraulics.

• Continue to do it all with the Unverferth pull-type Pro-Force Spreader. Use the Air Command section control for spreading fertilizer and in-seeding applications, while converting to single-section lime or litter application in a matter of minute