Soy Heats Things Up Soy biodiesel is good for your engine and for your home. The soybean checkoff-funded National Biodiesel Board developed BioHeat, a soy-based heating oil. BioHeat burns cleaner than its petroleum counterparts and reduces dependence on foreign oil used in conventional, petroleum-based heating oil. Studies show that BioHeat significantly reduces harmful emissions, has a higher flash point and leaves less smoke and odor than conventional heating oil.

Animal Agriculture “Beefs” Up with Soy To continue building strong demand for soybeans, the United Soybean Board (USB) recently utilized soybean checkoff funds to conduct an economic analysis of the livestock industry – the U.S. soybean farmer’s top customer. This study was done to first highlight the economic value of this industry and then to further demonstrate the importance of this industry to the U.S. soybean farmer. As relocation of the animal agriculture industry becomes a concern, “The Nationwide Economic Impact of Animal Agriculture” shows the economic contribution the livestock industry gives to a state through tax revenues, employment, earnings and output. This study not only breaks down the economic value of the livestock industry to U.S. soybean farmers, but also the value to each state and the country.

Leaders Shipping Out to Support Soy

The United Soybean Board is partnering with the U.S. Soybean Export Council and the American Soybean Association to sponsor an upcoming exposition on soybean shipping. Representatives from leading international soybean processors and shipping companies are scheduled to attend the Global Soybean and Grain Transport 2008, November 5 through 7 at Chicago’s Drake Hotel. The expo will bring leaders from the soybean and transportation industries together to address issues impacting containerized commodity shipping via truck, rail and ocean freight. Transportation issues currently corrode farmer profits and may someday limit the ability of U.S. soybean farmers to compete with South American growers in the global market.

Soybean Checkoff Partners to Educate Food Chain on Food Safety

The farmer-leaders of the United Soybean Board (USB) are partnering with the Center for Food Integrity (CFI) to help educate the food chain about the importance of a safe, healthy food supply. CFI member organizations represent each segment of the food chain, including farmers and ranchers; processors and companies that deliver food under local, regional and global brand names; and government. CFI will provide information on health and animal well-being to the food chain and consumers, which USB will assist with as a member of the organization. The partnership is the next step in the soybean checkoff’s efforts to support animal agriculture, a soybean farmer’s number one customer.