January 2017
BROUGHT TO YOU BY OHIO SOYBEAN FARMERS AND THEIR CHECKOFF

Greetings!
Welcome to 2017! I hope this newsletter finds you well as we begin the year! We are looking forward to bringing you valuable information on soybean industry trends, opportunities and challenges. This newsletter will keep you up to date on the latest news headlines impacting the soybean industry.
 
Please remember to check out the Ohio Soy Tomorrow webpage! It is customized with a  live news feed on current soybean topics, and we will be adding to that site in the coming months.  Please check out the webpage  www.soyohio.org/soytomorrow. We would welcome your feedback and suggestions on Ohio Soy Tomorrow.
 
-Kirk Merritt, Executive Director, Ohio Soybean Council
New Soybean Export Opportunity in China
 
It's no secret that China's domestic soybean production has been declining since 2004/05, due to a change in their corn price support policy. Since then, China's soybean import volume has been increasing to meet the growing demand from the crushing industry to supply the needs for soybean meal and soy oil. But an exciting new export development is China's growing need for specialty soybeans for use in making soy foods and beverages.
2017 Outlook: Soybeans Eye China Demand Vs. South America Supply
 
The U.S. soybean market in 2017 will continue to feel the effects of China's insatiable appetite, according to analysts and ag economists.  But it could face headwinds from a stronger U.S. dollar and a larger South American crop.

"China's robust buying pace continues to be on target for the growth rate we've seen developing in recent years, suggesting final demand just above 102 MMT, up about 1.5 MMT from USDA's current estimate," says Arlan Suderman, chief commodities economist at Intl FCStone.
DIY Microbes for Farmers
 
Researchers have known for years that certain soil bacteria can enhance crop production, but some of those beneficial bacteria don't fare well if they're dried on seeds or mixed into liquid solutions and stored for months in a warehouse. "You're going to have a lot of death," says Bruce Caldwell, CEO of 3Bar Biologics. The Columbus-based company is working to introduce a better delivery system, so the beneficial bacteria will be fresh and viable when farmers apply them in their fields.
(read more) 
Bunge to build new soybean plant in Indiana or Ohio
 
Jan 9: Global agricultural trader Bunge Ltd said on Monday it will build its first new U.S. soybean processing plant in 15 years in Indiana or Ohio to serve growing domestic and export demand for soy products.

The plant is expected to be on line by the end of 2019, Bunge North America said in a statement.
(read more) 
Photos courtesy of the United Soybean Board.
WATER QUALITY HEADLINES

tranquil-lake.jpg
Coalition sues U.S. EPA over Lake Erie

The campaign to get western Lake Erie declared as a federally impaired body of water took on a new twist on Tuesday with an announcement that a coalition of environmental, fishing, and conservation groups filed a notice of intent to sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for failing to take enough action.
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