Quarterly Updates from the North Carolina Soybean Producers Association

SOYBEAN SCENE December 2016

Soy Crop Emerges from Tropical Storm and Hurricane Reasonably Well

North Carolina’s 2016 soybean crop is shaping up to be a vast improvement over 2015, despite the onslaught of Tropical Storm Hermine and Hurricane Matthew. The most recent crops report from NCDA&CS pegs production at 60 million bushels, up 9% over last year. Significantly, the 2016 crop is not displaying the extensive moisture damage witnessed by farmers last year.

While Tropical Storm Hermine made a sizeable impact in the coastal plains, the rains from Hurricane Matthew were followed by several days of ideal drying conditions, and the end result has been a decent soy crop. The situation at the elevators and processors is pretty much business as usual, unlike the delivery situation with steep discounts for damage that many experienced last year.

Jan. 11-13, 2017 NC Commodities Conference, Sheraton Imperial Hotel, Durham, N.C. Feb. 1-3, 2017 NCSPA at the Southern Farm Show, N.C. State Fairgrounds, Raleigh, N.C. Winter 2017 County Grain Meetings

UPCOMING EVENTS

LATEST NEWS

HURRICANE MATTHEW RECOVERY BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING UPDATE JOIN THE NC SOY ALLIANCE NCSPA EXHIBITS AT THE N.C. STATE FAIR

That being said, there were many growers who experienced significant losses of crops, equipment, structures, soil and livestock. For some, the hurricane extended difficulties due to previous rains and flooding. The sizeable impact on places like Lumberton, Fayetteville and Goldsboro forced many families from their homes, and many of these homes are no longer habitable. The NCDA&CS and the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service stepped up to make information available to growers about dealing with losses, marketing damaged crops, and working with federal agencies on disaster recovery. The NCDA&CS set up a toll free number 1-866-645-9403 for producers that need emergency assistance with their farm or agribusiness. NC Cooperative Extension has information on a variety of disaster recovery topics on its website ncdisaster.ces.ncsu.edu.

The North Carolina Soybean Producers Association will hold an election to fill one seat on the board of directors at the Annual Business Meeting on Thurs., Jan. 12, 2017 during the proceedings of the NC Commodities Conference at the Sheraton Imperial Center, 4700 Emperor Blvd, Durham. The board seat up for election is one of two in the district comprised of Gaston, Mecklenburg and Union counties. Nomination forms can be obtained by calling 800-839-5775 or emailing ncsoy@ncsoy.org.

Notice of Annual Business Meeting

Soybean Scene is an official communication of the North Carolina Soybean Producers Association, Inc., the Qualified State Soybean Board designated by the United States Department of Agriculture to administer the soybean check-off program in North Carolina. One-half of check-off funds collected in the state are invested in research, market development and producer communications projects to benefit North Carolina soybean producers. The remaining one-half of funding is remitted to the United Soybean Board (USB), whose 70 farmer-directors oversee soybean check-off investments on the national level. Comments, questions, and change of address notifications are welcomed. Address correspondence to: Soybean Scene, 211 Six Forks Road, Suite 102, Raleigh, NC 27609, telephone 1-800-839-5775 or fax 919-839-5775. Email ncsoy@ncsoy.org Visit online at www.ncsoy.org

President Jeff Peed (Aurora) Vice President John Fleming (Scotland Neck) Secretary Jeff Tyson (Nashville) Treasurer Bernard Lennon (Evergreen) USB Director Jacob Parker (Columbia) USB Director Derek Potter (Grantsboro) ASA Director Jimmy Thomas (Timberlake)

Justin Allen, Pantego Kenneth Bartlett, LaGrange Mart Benson, Pantego Isaac Boerema, Pantego Jessica Burgess, Eure Ryan Cahoon, Fairfield Bert Dixon, Maury Sydney Edwards Dunn, Edenton Curtis Furr, Albemarle David Heath, Dover Gary Hendrix, Raeford Lance Herndon, Parkton Chris Hester, Bladenboro Bob Hyman, Oak City Wesley Johnson, Dobson Ryan Kennedy, Hope Mills Greg Manning, Nashville Dan McDuffie, Lake Waccamaw Michael McPherson, Mebane Ben Moses Jr., Conway Christopher Naylor, Clinton Cody Paul, Bayboro Shane Revelle, Murfreesboro Craig Seaman, Manson Christopher Seymour, Kinston Philip Sloop, Mt. Ulla Jason Starnes, Salisbury Reggie Strickland, Mt. Olive Logan Watson, Monroe Simmy Williams, Shiloh STAFF:

Charles Hall, CEO Ashley Thomas, Operations & Member Relations Manager Laura Rogers, Outreach Coordinator Beth Holleman, Accounts Manager Alvin Ellis, Compliance Auditor Katherine Drake Stowe, Research Coordinator Karen Wing, Communications Consultant

The NCSPA board of directors met Nov. 17-18, 2016 in Raleigh as part of their annual meeting cycle. Business included the nomination of new board members for election in 2017; a discussion of potential international marketing opportunities for 2017; and a review of the budget with an examination of impacts from Tropical Storm Hermine and Hurricane Matthew.

One of the major investment areas for the association is the research program, including the investment in practical research projects supporting N.C. soybean growers, communications to growers about the results of research initiatives, and in 2016 the addition of a coordinator to oversee the efforts. With that additional staff capacity, many new research-related projects are underway and board members were provided a status of these projects at the meeting, including the development of new agronomic videos, a new N.C. scouting guide, a new Grower Resources portal on the website and a new brochure. Flood recovery efforts were also discussed.

The other major investment of the NCSPA the board discussed was communications and outreach projects. The board received an update on the many community outreach programs that were conducted across the state in 2016, as well as the State Fair exhibit in Oct. Recently produced publications were presented to the board, as was an update of the N.C. State and U.N.C. partnership efforts, including radio advertising and on-air interviews with board members.

Board of Directors Meeting Update

Richard Wilkins, president of the American Soybean Association (ASA), attended the NCSPA’s Nov. board meeting to honor the association on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. He presented a plaque to Jeff Peed, president of the NCSPA, to commemorate the association’s 50 years of service to N.C. farmers (pictured on left).

As 2016 draws to a close, the

American Soybean Association Recognizes NCSPA’s 50th Anniversary

association is wrapping up celebrations of the 50th anniversary of its incorporation in 1966. The association began the year with a 50th anniversary reception at the NC Commodities Conference and recognition continued throughout the year with signage and giveaways at events.

NCSPA Exhibits at the N.C. State Fair The N.C. State Fair was held Oct. 13-23, 2016 and the NCSPA was a big part of the festivities as a sponsor of the Got to Be NC tent. The Got to Be NC tent is an extremely popular area of the fair for visitors, featuring N.C. agricultural products, samples and information. It attracts more than 100,000 visitors over the course of the fair.

The NCSPA was the primary sponsor of the Got to Be NC tent, receiving a banner inside the tent, flags outside the tent, promotional messages on the loudspeaker throughout the fair and exhibit space in the tent. The association booth featured a large coloring mural where kids and kids at heart could color farm scenes. Volunteers in the booth answered fairgoers’ questions about agriculture, gave kids soybean activity books and also had other educational literature on hand for people who wanted to learn more.

The weather for the fair was perfect and a new attendance record was reached, resulting in a successful week for the fair and the exhibit.

NC Soy Alliance Membership Program Debuts

Beginning Oct. 2016, the American Soybean Association (ASA) enacted a new strategic plan to refocus the mission and goals of the national association. The mission provides an enhanced emphasis on ASA’s advocacy work on policy and trade to benefit U.S. soybean farmers.

According to ASA’s new plan, beginning in October 2016, membership in ASA is only available through state affiliates such as the NCSPA’s new membership program, the NC Soy Alliance. The NC Soy Alliance is a voluntary membership program focused on policy and advocacy for the soybean farmer.

The NC Soy Alliance will only offer annual memberships for $100. However, current three year and lifetime ASA members will receive full credit from NC Soy Alliance for their commitment to ASA. The continuous support of members will help the NCSPA achieve its annual contribution to the American Soybean Association.

For those who want to learn more about the NC Soy Alliance or are interested in a membership, visit www.ncsoy.org/soy-alliance/. If you have any questions about the changes at the N.C. or national level, or about the new program, please contact Ashley Thomas, Member Relations Manager at 1-800-839-5775.

Dr. Kevin Folta, a noted proponent of GMO crops, will be one of two speakers to headline the 2017 NC Commodities Conference, the joint annual event of the state’s corn, cotton, small grains and soybean associations. Folta, a University of Florida scientist, is one of the nation’s top communicators on the benefits of biotechnology and GMO crops. In 2016 he won the Borlaug Communication Award from the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology. His podcast titled “Talking Biotech” and his articles for the GMO Answers website have helped set the record straight on ag biotech. Soybean world record holder Randy Dowdy is the other featured speaker. Dowdy hit 171 bushels per acre on his Brooks Co. Georgia farm. He is also a former corn world record holder and winner of the 2014 National Corn Growers Association yield contest.

The conference will also include an industry trade show, commodity production seminars and an evening of entertainment by The Embers. Folta and Dowdy will speak during the conference sessions on Thurs., Jan. 12, 2017 at the Sheraton Imperial Center, 4700 Emperor Blvd, Durham, N.C. For conference registration information, call 800-839-5775

or visit www.nccommoditiesconference.com.

The NCSPA will also exhibit at the Southern Farm Show, Feb. 1-3, 2017 at the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Look for the association in booth 4117. The association is again sponsoring county grain meetings in winter 2017. Contact your county crops agent to ask if there is a grain production meeting in your area.

World Record Holder, Noted Biotech Advocate to Headline NC Commodities Conference

NC SOYALLIANCE

211 SIX FORKS ROAD, SUITE 102 RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27609

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

To assist us in maintaining an accurate address file and reduce postage costs, please notify the N.C. Soybean Producers Association (1-800-839-5775) of any address changes or corrections. Comments and suggestions are also welcome.

NCSPA in the Community

The NCSPA has many events planned for the coming months. Please stop by and say hello at one of these upcoming events where the association will exhibit: Jan. 4: 4-H Youth Development Program, Wilson Co. Cooperative Extension Office Feb. 23: South Granville High School FFA Ag Awareness Day, Creedmoor, N.C. Mar. 5: U.N.C. Wellness Health Fair

Ag Day at N.C. State a Success

The NCSPA sponsored the Ag Day football game at N.C. State University for the third year in 2016, with a booth in the pre-game Fan Zone, agricultural messages on the ribbon board in the stadium, an in-game video featuring soybean farmer and board member Isaac Boerema, participation in a recognition presentation on-field and a pre-game interview on the Wolfpack Sports Network with Boerema.

The Ag Day game opponent was Miami, so the game was well-attended and fans flocked to the NCSPA booth which featured the Northeast Ag Expo Agri-Pride simulator, in which participants could choose a crop to plant virtually and pretend they were driving a combine. Board members volunteered at the booth to interact with fans and answer their questions about food and farming.

211 SIX FORKS ROAD, SUITE 102 RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27609

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

To assist us in maintaining an accurate address file and reduce postage costs, please notify the N.C. Soybean Producers Association (1-800-839-5775) of any address changes or corrections. Comments and suggestions are also welcome.

Non-Profi tOrganization

U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDRaleigh, NC

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