Innovation Propels Soybean Industry Success

 

 

 

Every day, farmers make decisions to drive their farms forward despite volatile markets and unpredictable weather. Just like the farmers who compose it, the soybean industry’s success depends on a commitment to innovation.

 

The soy checkoff recognizes outstanding achievement and dedication to the U.S. soybean industry with the United Soybean Board’s Outstanding Achievement and Excellence in Innovation awards. John Becherer and David Green received these awards at the American Soybean Association’s annual banquet on Friday, March 3, held during Commodity Classic.

 

 

John Becherer earned the Outstanding Achievement Award for his relentless focus on developing profit opportunities for farmers, creating partnerships, and leveraging resources alongside industry and government leaders.

 

In his tenure as CEO of the United Soybean Board, Becherer has served as a catalyst in many industry-wide changes. His work on behalf of farmers brought the checkoff into the 21st century through innovation and technology adoption in board governance.

 

“John has focused on bringing all sectors of agriculture together to collaborate and bring benefits to farmers,” says Brett Begemann, president and COO of Monsanto.  “He has quietly led the United Soybean Board to be one of the top checkoff organizations in the industry.”

 

Past USB chair Don Latham agrees. “John has helped farmer-leaders put our unique ideas into action to improve profitability,” he says. “And he has kept a consistent focus on bringing opportunities back to farmers by partnering with industry.”

 

 

David Green received the Excellence in Innovation Award for his contributions to the soybean industry’s reputation abroad in the area of biotechnology.

 

The European Union is a key player in varietal success for U.S. soybeans as EU trade approval signals a significant step toward global approval of traits. Green, an expert on the intricacies of biotechnology adoption in the EU, is regularly called on to lend his voice to conferences and publications on food safety and technology acceptance abroad. He also has led trade missions to Europe on behalf of soybean farmers through the U.S. Soybean Export Council.

 

“David has been a key asset to the U.S. soy industry for more than two decades, championing farmer profit opportunities in biotechnology and market access in the EU and other overseas markets,” says Doug Winter, a USB farmer-leader who nominated Green for the award.

 

“John has invested time, energy and talent in the agriculture industry, and the return on his investment is more opportunities for U.S. soybean farmers to succeed,” says John Motter of Jenera, Ohio, who serves as the USB Chair. “Similarly, David’s leadership and expertise have opened doors overseas that continue to expand international markets for reliable, sustainable, high-quality U.S. soybeans.”

 

USB’s 73 farmer-directors work on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers to achieve maximum value for their soy checkoff investments. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds in programs and partnerships to drive soybean innovation beyond the bushel and increase preference for U.S. soy. That preference is based on U.S. soybean meal and oil quality and the sustainability of U.S. soybean farmers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.