PIIE Program brings soybean leaders to the Western Plains

Aug 21, 2023

Leaders from ASA and USB recently ventured into North Dakota's vast landscapes as part of the 2023 Producer and Industry Information Exchange (PIIE) tour, an event championed by USB and the National Oilseed Processors Association.

This northern state, celebrated for its interplay of agriculture and energy sectors, set the stage for an enlightening journey. Attendees were acquainted with the expanding world of soybean cultivation and given a tour of state-of-the-art establishments like the Green Bison Soy Processing center. Their journey included visits to the Marathon Petroleum Renewable Diesel Refinery, Red Trail Energy, and the innovative projects of Carbon Capture and Underground Sequestration.

Attendees reveled in the beauty of farm visits, the academic atmosphere of NDSU’s Dickenson Research Center, the serene prairie potholes, and the awe-inspiring bison strolls in Teddy Roosevelt National Park.

The tour was graced by stalwarts from NDSU, NDSC, and various agricultural and energy associations, infusing the event with diverse perspectives. Among the key attendees were USB's Matt Gast and Ryan Richard, alongside ASA's Monte Peterson and Justin Sherlock.

Guided by the expertise of Nancy Johnson, Executive Director of the North Dakota Soybean Association, this tour epitomized the essence of unity, exploration, and the potential of the agriculture sector in the U.S.

Source : wisconsinagconnection

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.