SSGA applauds USDA investment to diversify export markets

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The Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) applauds the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announced intention for new programs to help U.S. farmers maintain and diversify export markets and bolster international food aid. USDA announced that it will utilize funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to address trade and food insecurity challenges. USDA will use $1.3 billion for the Regional Agriculture Promotion Program (RAPP) and support for specialty crop industries to diversify export markets. One billion was allocated to address global hunger.

SSGA Vice Chair Darwin Rader attended Secretary Tom Vilsack’s announcement of the investments.

“Secretary Vilsack’s announcement matches the purpose of groups like SSGA that expand markets, help small businesses and look for new ways to promote agriculture,” Rader said. “The farmers we work with want the high-quality options to grow quality soybeans and grains and earn a premium. Thanks to SSGA, the high-quality containerized trade gets more attention and focus.”

The $1.3 billion investment in RAPP will help exporters break into new markets and increase market share in growth markets, as well as provide technical assistance to the specialty crops industry to help it enter markets often imposed by non-tariff barriers.

“SSGA’s job is to influence buyers and food manufacturers to make increasing choices for variety and characteristic-specific, traceable soybeans and grains,” said Eric Wenberg, SSGA executive director. “Containerized grains help preserve buyer specifications in transit and assure quality at delivery.”

In 2019, SSGA leveraged an Agricultural Trade Promotion (ATP) grant from USDA with its own resources to begin operations and develop U.S. Identity Preserved. Following extensive market research that helped shape the brand, U.S. Identity Preserved launched in 2021 as an eight-step quality assurance process and label that promotes traceable, high-quality soybeans and grains. SSGA used the funds in association with the U.S. Soybean Export Council and American Soybean Association.

“SSGA successfully used USDA market development funds under the prior ATP program,” SSGA Chair Bob Sinner said. “New funds for new ideas like SSGA’s to promote traceable, quality food ingredients direct to international buyers from rural America should be part of the solution to grow exports. SSGA believes that the nation needs to come together to pass a Farm Bill with increases for export development programs to help grow business.”

Read the USDA press release here.

Weed control in soybeans: How to win the battle in 2024

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By David Kee, SSGA Agronomy action team Staff Lead/Director of Research, Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council

Herbicide resistant weeds have taken the stage in the continued doom and gloom stories from the popular press. However, those articles forget that weed control is – and always has been – a constant battle in agriculture. I remember stories from my grandfather of a 12-year-old boy thinking the 1916 battlefields of Europe couldn’t be any worse than “choppin’ cotton” in the sweat-soaked environment of a mid-July east Texas cotton field.

At one time, quackgrass was one of the primary weeds in short stature crops (soybeans, etc.), as it was, and still is, extremely tolerant of any mechanical weed control method. Modern weed control efforts have reduced its impact, but that doesn’t mean quackgrass has gone away. It is just under control using our current technology. Literature from the 1960s indicates waterhemp was a minor weed problem; today, it is a major headache for identity preserved (IP) producers.

What is the take-home message? Weed control is always evolving. Proper identification of the problem and providing an adaptable management program are critical to success. A good manager starts with the basics, and then develops a creative solution to that ever-independent world called “their farm.”

What are the basics?

  1. Scout in the fields. Know your fields, know your crop and know your weeds. Assess the fields for weeds, and other problems, as often as possible. There is no such thing as excessive effective crop scouting. However, ineffective scouting wastes time, money, energy and effort.
  2. Effectively change management. Rotate crops, rotate chemistry, add some forms of mechanical weed control and include cover crops. Don’t do the same thing every time, as that will allow some pest to evolve around a management system.
  3. Scout the perimeter of your fields. Look beyond your field. Are there weeds in the ditches, along the fence line, on your tractor tire, in your combine? Institute effective sanitation activities, mow the buffer area enough times to prevent problem weed from going to seed, amp up the weed control efforts on those rows bordering weed infested areas.
  4. Be effective. Develop and institute an effective weed control program, use both pre and post-emergent herbicides at full recommend rates in a system that rotates Sites of Action (SOA). Remember, Muhammad Ali hit his opponent everywhere, not just on the chin. You have to change up the punches to keep taking out those weeds. Think both strategically and tactically; creative effectiveness becomes critical for success.
  5. Scout for future years. Look back at what you’ve done; think about what you will be doing. Sometimes the best place to scout is at your desk reading your farm diary and contemplating your next step. Ask if your management program worked? If not, why not? What needs to be done next? Scout after canopy closure, the canopy will open again after growth stage 7 as the crop matures, waterhemp and other season-long germinating weeds will pop up and require control efforts.
  6. Be persistent. Weed control is not a once-a-year activity. There is always more than one species of weeds present, weed seed germination is complex and often unpredictable. To be effective over the long run, adopting a zero-tolerance goal will go a long way toward keeping a grower on top of the problem. Keep a diary of activities, review it often and ask yourself if you are being effective? What can be done better? What are you giving up by not controlling any pest at certain times? No decision is trivial and should be approached in a logical manner. Knee-jerk reactions tend to be ineffective.

As with any management program, the basics are just that: the basics. A one-size-fits-all program usually results in a poorly fitted suit. Educate yourself. Use the Take Action on Weeds website developed by the United Soybean Board and weed scientists from 10 states. It provides you with a bounty of information on weed species, herbicide modes of action and will help you create an herbicide plan of action for your farming operation.

The program you develop should be tailored to your individual operation. Talk with Extension, other farmers, your local crop consultant and any other professional whose judgement you trust and develop an effective solution for your operation. Then change it up somewhat from year to year. To be effective, you must evolve as the weeds evolve.

Ancient Grains Conference explores trends, challenges, opportunities

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While the grains may be ancient, the market for them is growing and evolving. That was the message shared during the second annual Ancient Grains Conference at the Oliver Kelley Farm in Elk River, Minn. SSGA Manager of Strategic Programs Shane Frederick attended the conference, which was hosted by the Northern Crops Institute (NCI) and aimed to provide an educational and promotional setting to explore the characteristics and utilization of ancient grains. Otherwise known as heritage grains, ancient grains include wheat, barley, sorghum, oats, millet, amaranth, flax, teff and more. Presenters offered insight into ancient grains trends, challenges and opportunities, and attendees even had the opportunity to participate in cooking and stone milling demonstrations.

The Ancient Grains Conference also caught the interest of Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen, who made an appearance at the event.

“I’m interested in anything we can do to diversify our agriculture in this state,” Commissioner Petersen said. “It is apparent consumers are interested in the ancient grains market, and we need to continue to explore other opportunities and capitalize on the trends that we’re seeing currently. The state of Minnesota has a number of resources available to help those in the ancient grains industry be successful.”

Making healthy choices

In her morning keynote, Ardent Mills Director of Specialty Grains & General Manager of Emerging Nutrition Shrene White emphasized that the consumers are more empowered than ever before when it comes making healthy choices.

“They no longer hope to find food that meets their health needs,” White said. “They expect it.”

According to White’s reports, consumers are placing a higher priority on finding foods and ingredients that both taste good and deliver positive aspects to the experience. She also noted that they are willing to pay for it as well. Sales for sandwich bread and cereal/granola bars with an Ancient Grains label are up 6.5% and 3.1%, respectively, despite those units costing more than traditional varieties. However, there is still room for growth. White emphasized a need for the ancient grains community to capitalize on the momentum, align with other grains and continue to educate and communicate in order for ancient grains to become a sustainable solution in the marketplace.

Trending in the right direction

During a panel discussion on Growing Ancient Grains in the Market, Laurie Scanlin, principal scientists at the Ardent Mills Innovation Center, highlighted that ancient grains have grown from a niche market into nationwide commercialization.

“A few decades ago, ancient grains and quinoa and flax could only be found in health food stores,” she said. “Now every grocery store in the country is carrying them, and products that include them are proud to market that whole grain or ancient grains affiliation.”

Kelly LeBlanc, Oldways vice president of nutrition programming, indicated that the whole grains trend will continue as consumers are still looking for products that are indictive of good health and sustainability. Specific ancient grains that are trending upward include millet, amaranth, teff and quinoa.

Growing the Midwest value chain

The final panel discussion during the conference focused on the Artisan Grain Collaborative between Mark Askegaard and his daughter Beth McConnon, who grow organic wheat south of Moorhead, Minn.; Patrick Wylie of Baker’s Field Flour & Bread, who mills Askegaard’s wheat; and Laune Bread co-owner Chris MacLeod, who uses the flour in his bakery. The partners showcased the benefits of a farm-to-fork partnership and how the end user benefits from the partnership as well.

“Our customers value that we talk directly to people growing our product,” Wylie said. “As a result, our customers have also become more knowledgeable about farming because we communicate with them every step along the way.

Wylie also added that, as a miller, he and his customers value the sustainable farming practices that the Askegaards incorporate into their farm.

“It ensures that the land that the wheat is grown on will continue to be productive for years to come,” Wylie said, “which assures to us that we can also continue to sell a good, quality product to our consumers for years to come as well.”

Wylie hopes that there are more bakeries, mills and farms willing to participate in the Ancient Grains Collaborative so that they can continue to build the market.

A diverse group

The diversity of the small grains industry was well represented during this year’s Ancient Grains Conference, which included participation from mom-and-pop operations all the way to the largest flour mill in the country. While it may seem the giants of wheat industry are competitors with growing markets of ancient grains, this conference proves how they are working together.

“Working within the specialty grains space and supporting that area of agriculture remains a strategic goal of SSGA’s,” Frederick said. “The Ancient Grains Conference was a great way to stay up on trends, including consumers’ growing interests in whole grains – including their willingness to pay a little more for ancient grains claims – in order to meet their food wants and needs. This also aligns with what SSGA is doing with the U.S. Identity Preserved label.”

SSGA highlights economic benefits of U.S. Identity Preserved to trade group

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The Northern Crops Institute (NCI) welcomed a small trade group from Cambodia and Myanmar to Fargo, N.D., this week as part of a Food Grade Soybean Procurement Course. The course focused on the various aspects of sourcing and purchasing high-quality identity preserved (IP) soybeans for food products such as tofu, soymilk and tempeh.

“Through this course, our group had the opportunity to learn more about IP soybeans, meet with U.S. exporters and learn more about the quality of the U.S. identity preserved system from the seed to when it arrives at their facility,” said Alan Poock, Asia Division Director for the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH).

As incomes rise in many Asian countries, so does the emphasis on food safety and food quality. Identity preserved provides a way to know the history of the ingredients, including when it’s planted and harvested and where it was stored. This allows the soy consumer to be confident that their soy ingredients are consistently of high quality and handled in a safe way.

For those IP soy purchasers, typically from Asian countries, that confidence in a high-quality product is important, especially since they are paying more for IP than traditional soybeans. However, Shane Frederick, manager of strategic Programs with Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA), spoke to the WISHH group of how SSGA’s U.S. Identity Preserved mark and assurance plan, which was established in 2021, saves significant costs during processing and can increase profits at market.

“One of our big challenges is to convince the foreign buyer that they have to pay more for this variety-specific identity preserved product,” Frederick said, “but, really, when you break things down there is an economic advantage to paying more.”

Along with high quality and variety specificity, the product is already cleaned and sorted, which means that the purchaser will save money during processing on cleaning and sorting costs, as well as equipment maintenance and labor over time. Frederick also reported that higher protein IP varieties can get more bang for their buck and charge more for an overall better product.

NCI’s Food Grade Soybean Procurement Course, which was sponsored by the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, also gave the participants an inside look into the process of purchasing IP soybeans.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to provide a better understanding of food-grade soybean production in this region of the world and help them understand how to purchase it, who to purchase it from and overall how the system works,” said Northern Crops Institute Program Manager Brian Sorenson. “When they go back to their home country, we want them to have a really good understanding of what it takes to buy IP, as well as take away some of the unknowns and concerns that they may have had about the process.”

In addition to learning about economic advantages to IP, the WISHH trade group learned in-depth about the markets, soy food plant operations and soybean harvest and storage. The delegation also toured various soybean processing facilities and area farms where IP soybeans are grown.

The trade mission wraps up with a trip to Illinois for SSGA’s Fork to Farm event on June 26. Fork to Farm connects the end users of the IP soybeans with farmers who grow the product, and allows potential IP growers to network with current growers and learn more about what it takes to grow IP.

IP Farming course now available at SSGA University

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The Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance’s online learning modules, SSGA University, continue to expand.

All that’s missing now is a mascot!

Last week, SSGA University added a new module to its curriculum, a farmer-focused course on growing identity preserved crops.

The new module is a quick, easy and affordable way for farmers curious about or who may be interested in growing identity preserved soybeans and other specialty crops. Those who take the course, learn about what the identity preserved system is and why identity preserved crops are worth growing. Additionally, there are overviews on traceability, processor relationships, opportunities and challenges and best practices for growing identity preserved field crops.

After successfully complete the course, they receive a certificate and a technical manual that allows them to take a deeper dive into the topic.

“As the U.S. looks to expand identity preserved acres, farmers need more information on what their options are and how they might get started,” said Shane Frederick, SSGA’s manager of strategic programs. “This new SSGA University course provides a primer so they can consider identity preserved  as part of their production.”

Launched in fall of 2021, SSGA University now has learning modules that cover the “IP Highway” or full identity preserved system, as well as ones that cover the value of purchasing identity preserved soybeans for foods such as tofu and soymilk; miso and natto; tempeh; soybean meal, soy flours, protein concentrates and isolates; and buying decisions and technical information on identity preserved specialty and ancient grains. There is also a course on containerized shipping and one that covers SSGA’s phytosanitary project and trains companies enrolled in the High Quality Specialty Grain program.

To enroll in an SSGA University program, go to ssga-university.thinkific.com. Cost for the new Growing Identity Preserved Crops course is $100. Foreign customers may be eligible for discounted course costs. Please reach out to Shane Frederick for more information at sfrederick@soyagrainsalliance.org.

SSGA pitches U.S. Identity Preserved in Dubai

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SSGA had the honor of presenting at “Pitch2Fork,” an investor/start-up meeting in Dubai on Dec. 14-15. The event was hosted by Right to Protein and supported by U.S. Soy. The agenda included a lineup of entrepreneurs and start-ups who showcased impactful ideas and success stories in the food, nutrition, and agri-technology space. The event brought together the community of start-ups, investors, mentors and academicians who aimed to solve challenges in nutrition security.

SSGA was invited by USSEC to present, and SSGA adviser and identity preserved expert and farmer Raquel Hansen, spoke about identity preserved and introduced the U.S. Identity Preserved assurance plan and brand program to the audience. Hansen’s message explained how IP is the “value that adds value,” because, despite premiums paid for identity preserved field crops, the operational benefits outweigh those initial costs.

In a “Shark Tank”-type format, five different start-up companies from India, Bangladesh and Pakistan pitched their company and business plan in front of six judges of the International Delegation of Entrepreneurship in Agriculture, along with approximately 90 attendees hand-selected to represent capital investment firms, food and nutrition companies and agri-technology companies throughout the South Asia and the Sub-African region. Other speakers presented on the future of agriculture, U.S. Soy and Sustainability, ESG (environmental, social, and governance), plant-based foods, and blockchain and cryptocurrency in agriculture.

This format was very intriguing and interactive, Hansen said, allowing for networking activities to reach companies throughout the developing region. SSGA was privileged to be a part of the program supporting activities around identity preserved grains and oilseeds.

“Right to Protein” is India’s first awareness initiative to educate citizens about the importance of adequate protein consumption for better nutrition, health and wellbeing. SSGA and its members are proud to be a part of the initiative!

U.S. Identity Preserved gets international launch

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In December 2021, the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) launched a new mark, designating premium crops with verifiable origins. The U.S. Identity Preserved quality assurance plan and brand mark symbolizes a significant advancement in the verification of trust, traceability and value for food manufacturers, processors and exporters. Since the unveiling, 10 U.S. companies have joined the program and are using the mark – with several more companies currently going through the application and qualification process.

It’s now time to officially introduce U.S. Identity Preserved to the world:

On Nov. 1 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, SSGA will hold a special event to launch the U.S. Identity Preserved brand internationally and build global awareness of the assurance plan that ensures the high quality that comes from the U.S. system. Please join us for an in-person media and industry event at the Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers or online, as the launch will be broadcast throughout the region and the world via YouTube.

“We’re excited to come to Vietnam and launch the U.S. Identity Preserved brand there and throughout the region where there is a growing market for high-quality, variety-specific soybeans and grains,” said Eric Wenberg, SSGA executive director. “While these products may cost more than conventional crops, they provide efficiencies that save time and money during production. We’re looking forward to telling that story in person to an international audience.”

As food producers seek higher quality and better consistency in their ingredients and consumers focus on traceability and safety in the foods they purchase, U.S. Identity Preserved products fulfill those wants and needs.

“The mission of U.S. Identity Preserved is to bring together the United States’ IP industry and establish the U.S. as a quality origin for identity preserved crops,” said Bob Sinner, president of SB&B Foods, one of the first companies to join the U.S. Identity Preserved program. “The assurance plan highlights the great care and attention to detail that goes into every shipment of our high-quality, premium agriculture products and ingredients.”

The November 1st press event will include in-person-only business-to-business meetings and offer networking opportunities between U.S. exporters and Vietnamese and other southeast Asian importing companies. The following day, SSGA will offer presentations on the U.S. Identity Preserved system and go further in depth on the quality, characteristics and performance customers can expect from specialty soybeans and grains from the United States. Please join us on November 1-2 in person or on-line.

Learn more and register for the event here.

U.S. exporters and Chinese importers talk IP

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Nearly 150 people met online on March 30 for an U.S. Identity Preserved webinar and IP B2B meetings between SSGA-member exporters and potential buyers from China.

The event was held in coordination between SSGA, the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and the China Chamber of Commerce of Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products (CFNA).

Following remarks from USSEC CEO Jim Sutter, CFNA President Cao Derong, U.S. Embassy Beijing Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Bobby Richey and SSGA Executive Director Eric Wenberg, watched and participated in three presentations about U.S. Identity Preserved field crops. SSGA Chair Rob Prather of Global Processing gave an overview of IP soybeans and grains. SSGA Secretary/Treasurer Colby Eymann discussed IP traceability and sourcing and Hua (Elsa) Xu of Hang Tung Resources talked about IP transportation.

“SSGA’s mission is to work with all our partners … to act as your expert in helping you learn how to purchase identity preserved field crops from the United States and how to profit by including them in the food products you manufacture,” Wenberg told the group. “What we are trying to do is explain in a structured way how the high-quality specialty field crop market means paying a bit more in advance can do for you.”

The webinar was followed by IP B2B matchmaking sessions between SSGA member suppliers and Chinese food manufacturers. Those who were not involved in the B2B meetings stayed on and participated in Q&A to learn more about U.S. Identity Preserved practices and efficiencies.

SSGA shakes up the breadbasket

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More than 450 people logged on to learn about ancient grains during an SSGA-sponsored Oldways-Whole Grains Council webinar titled “Shaking up the Breadbasket: The Dietitian’s Guide to Increasing Biodiversity with Ancient Grains.” The webinar explored ancient grains and how they can be better integrated into our food supply. 

Shane Frederick, Manager of Strategic Programs for SSGA, introduced the alliance and Identity Preserved grains, as well as the U.S. Identity Preserved mark and its significance to assuring quality and traceability.  

Laurie Scanlin, Principal Scientist at Ardent Mills, discussed characteristics and nutrition of ancient grains and how consumer trends could lead to more ancient grains being incorporated in diets. Scanlin encouraged webinar participants to experiment with ancient grains when cooking and continue education and promotion to enhance the usage of them.  

Neil Doty presented technical services available at Northern Crops Institute for ancient grains and highlighted products formulated with ancient grains available today. 

The webinar recording can be viewed here. 

IP Crop Network, November Report

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This monthly feature from SSGA’s Agronomy Action Team highlights growing conditions for Identity Preserved crops from different regions around the country. Thanks to the states/regions that contributed this month. If you would like to contribute, please get in touch with David Kee or Shane Frederick. You can also follow David Kee on Twitter for some of the latest, most-interesting information on agronomy and research that affect IP and other farmers.

Illinois

If the rains hold off until Wednesday night, as predicted, there will be very little crop left in the field in Illinois. The guess is completion at 95%-plus by mid -week. Last week’s freeze finally finished off the green in the soybeans, especially the double crop, and they started running through the combine pretty well.

Yields in the North and Central areas will end up pretty close to expectations, and the southern part of the state will beat expectations, but likely not enough acres and bushels in the southern third to move the needle on state average.

There is a lot of tillage being done and some fall fertilizer is being applied. Wheat planting is pretty well done in the state, with about half of the crop looking really good – 25% emerging slow and uneven and the last 25% still trying to emerge.

Michigan

The Michigan soybean crop is mostly in the bins. Harvest started earlier than normal in mid-September but was slowed by extended periods of significant rain. Much of the month of October saw limited soybean harvest as farmers switched to harvesting corn in wet fields. Field conditions have improved in November, allowing significant soybean harvest with grain moisture back to acceptable levels. November weather is not always conducive to soybean harvest in Michigan, so this opportunity is a welcome pleasant surprise.

Soybean yields are mostly good throughout the state. The NASS estimated average yield of 50 bushels per acre should be close to actual yields.

Minnesota

Recent rains have alleviated the 2021 drought. Minnesota is still dry, but recent rains continue to ease drought stress. According to the drought monitor, the northern third of the state is rated moderate to extreme drought (D1-D3). Areas in the southeast third of the state are rated abnormally dry to moderate (D0-D1). The southwest quarter drought-free. The Nov. 1 USDA Crop Progress report topsoil moisture supply rated 80% adequate to surplus.

Crop harvest is near completion in Minnesota. Corn silage, small grains and edible beans have been largely harvested. Soybean, sunflower and sugar beet harvests are near completion with variable yields reported. Corn grain harvest is proceeding rapidly with 83% harvested by the end of October. Grain moisture has been sufficiently low that grain drying is limited in scope. Soybean harvest was slowed due to excessive green stems and morning dews reducing harvest speeds. Some farmers are concerned about future crop volunteer issues in 2022 due to excessive harvest escapes. Farmer yield reports in this region vary from “drought impacted” to “well above expectations!”

Field work, soil sampling, tillage, manure and fertilizer applications, etc., continues. Soil temperatures are adequate for fall N fertilizer applications, and P and K containing fertilizers are going down. Farmers appear to be applying fertilizer products previously purchased in the summer. There is a great concern expressed as to input availability in the spring and input price uncertainty.

Missouri

October proved to be another warm month for Missouri with the average temperature being 60.6°F, which was 3.6°F over the long-term average. It was the warmest October since 2016, and it was the third consecutive month with above average temperatures. Most years Missouri experiences its first freeze during October, but only a few locations in northwestern Missouri dipped below freezing during October. For the past 20 years, fall freezes have been trending later.

The statewide average for rainfall was 6.11 inches, which is 2.92 inches above the long-term, which made October 2021 the fifth-consecutive October with wetter conditions than normal. One unusual weather occurrence did happen on Oct. 24, a fall tornado outbreak, with 15 tornadoes being reported.

According to the USDA Crop Progress report, Corn harvest was tabulated at 86% completed on Oct. 31. Soybean harvest was only 59% completed at the same time. Cotton harvest was delayed due to the rainy conditions, so only 59% of the crop had been harvested by Oct. 31, with 71% of crop being in “good” condition. As of Oct. 31, only 63% of the winter wheat was planted, which is 5% more than the five-year average. An estimated 45% of the winter wheat planted has emerged to give a 57% good condition for the winter wheat.

November is looking promising for further increase in crop harvest. Hopefully, we will have completed crop harvests in November.

North Dakota

There are a couple of fields of corn left, but in all practical sense, harvest is complete. Due to the drought, yields are down and most grain is either sold or binned with very little grain on the ground compared to years with large yields.

There is more fall tillage than expected with the dry conditions, but with the early harvest it became too tempting. Even with the high fertilizer prices some fall fertilizer is being applied. Some economists are encouraging the purchase of fertilizer to protect from spring shortages. Most fertilizer dealers are not pre-booking fertilizer.

There have been some rains but not enough to recharge the groundwater. Rain is predicted at the end of the week but changing to snow.