News from the American Soybean Association http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/news.htm http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:32:44 -0600 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:31:30 -0600 FeedForAll v2.0 (2.0.2.9) http://www.feedforall.com The American Soybean Association (ASA) today communicated to United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ron Kirk its priorities for restarting World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations on the Doha Development Agenda on a foundation that offers an improved opportunity for a successful outcome for U.S. farmers. http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r111009.htm 527FF371-8862-4EE2-B7BE-8BD99E1DB6ED Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:31:30 -0600 The American Soybean Association (ASA) today issued a paper outlining its concerns and issues for climate change legislation. ASA believes that climate change legislation passed by the House of Representatives and the current draft Senate climate change bill do not provide sufficient measures to protect American economic competitiveness, and ASA does not support those measures in their current form. http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r110409.htm 5719EDE5-CE89-4D50-9BF1-7248DF27B333 Wed, 4 Nov 2009 12:14:09 -0600 Soybean farming has changed dramatically since 1920. But even then, decisions made on Capitol Hill were having a direct effect on the production and profitability of soybean farmers. That’s why the American Soybean Association (ASA) was established 90 years ago and continues to be the advocate and grassroots voice of the nation’s soybean farmers when important policy is being discussed and created. http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r102709.htm FB6036BD-A532-46EE-8ECD-6CAF8ADA2524 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:08:12 -0500 The American Soybean Association (ASA) today congratulated the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its efforts to elevate the stature and credibility of agricultural research with the establishment of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). NIFA was established in the 2008 Farm Bill and officially launched in Washington, D.C. today. The mission of NIFA is to stimulate and fund the research and technological innovations that will enhance and make American agriculture more productive and environmentally sustainable while ensuring the economic viability of agriculture and production. http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r100809.htm E2A33089-D36E-46B8-9156-C01921354FE6 Thu, 8 Oct 2009 15:23:59 -0500 Joseph H. Layton, Jr., a soybean, corn and grape producer on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, emphasized the priority need for increased federal funding for food and agricultural research, extension and education at an oversight hearing convened today by the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit and Research regarding implementation of the 2008 Farm Bill Research Title. Layton testified as a producer and on behalf of the American Soybean Association (ASA) and the National Coalition for Food and Agricultural Research (National C-FAR), and the USDA National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education and Economics (NAREEE) Advisory Board. http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r093009.htm 9FE6EEEB-5172-4E23-A494-5A672D9C52D9 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:27:18 -0500 American Soybean Association (ASA) Vice President Alan Kemper hosted on his farm this week a delegation of Chinese soybean buyers whose companies represent 85 percent of all Chinese soybean purchases. http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r091609.htm C2E06B93-EA55-45BA-ADCC-278662830F3A Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:33:27 -0500 The American Soybean Association (ASA) is urging all U.S. soybean producers, their family members, and agribusinesses to voice concerns with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rule on the implementation of the expanded Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS-2) before next week’s September 25 deadline for comments. The EPA’s proposed rule on RFS-2 implementation is significantly flawed and would do unnecessary harm to the competitive position of the U.S. soy biodiesel industry. http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r091509.htm DAFE7380-712A-46B0-A8C5-51612317AF57 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:13:28 -0500 The American Soybean Association (ASA) congratulates Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) as the new Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Senator Lincoln is the first woman and the first Arkansan to serve as Chair in the 184-year history of the Committee. ASA also thanks Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) for his leadership of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Senator Harkin will remain an active member of the Agriculture Committee, but had to relinquish his position to become Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, following the death of Senator Edward Kennedy. http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r091009.htm 0DD2E590-E0BB-4E83-93EB-195B1EF84FDA Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:46:50 -0500 Farmer leaders of the American Soybean Association (ASA) and Iowa Soybean Association once again had the chance to communicate soybean policy priorities to officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey. http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r090909.htm 432DC166-D329-4C68-AFE0-7E30AC191FD6 Wed, 9 Sep 2009 15:43:54 -0500 American Soybean Association (ASA) Past-President Bart Ruth was announced as the Agribusiness recipient for the Abraham Lincoln National Agricultural Awards. The winners were announced at the 2009 Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois. Ruth was President of ASA in 2001-02. http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r090209.htm 3F6699A3-7550-4F78-BA4A-F16EAB4BF59A Thu, 3 Sep 2009 10:37:16 -0500 The American Soybean Association (ASA) is encouraging all U.S. soybean producers, and their family members, neighbors and friends, to voice concerns with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rule on the implementation of the expanded Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS-2). With the future of the U.S. biodiesel industry at stake, ASA is issuing a national Call-to-Action for grassroots activism regarding the proposed rule. ASA is providing an easy to use online form where people can read the letter, add personal contact information, and submit comments with the click of a button. Family members, friends and neighbors are also encouraged to use this form. Go to http://www.soygrowers.com/policy/RFS2.htm to access the online form, which includes the letter and links to additional background information. http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r082609.htm 0142659D-6894-4EB7-B38D-A87A5ED8B7E8 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:15:51 -0500 The American Soybean Association (ASA) submitted comments today to the House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management for the record of the Public Hearing to review implementation of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. ASA brought to the Subcommittee’s attention implementation of the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels, included in Section 9005 in the Energy Title of the Farm Bill. ASA played a lead role in asking Congress to extend the Bioenergy Program that had been initiated under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, and ASA worked hard to see it authorized and funded. http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r070209.htm 4FB66B53-E903-44DF-9CD2-73408C5C3664 Thu, 2 Jul 2009 14:03:08 -0500 The American Soybean Association (ASA) today expressed strong support for provisions included by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) in the House climate change bill (H.R. 2454), while stating that it believes that further improvements are needed in the underlying legislation scheduled for consideration by the U.S. House of Representatives. http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r062609.htm 4CED7BF3-A7D7-4248-808D-F93BAC5330B9 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:20:30 -0500 The American Soybean Association (ASA) provided comments today in Washington, D.C. at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Public Hearing on the EPA’s Proposed Rule for the expanded Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS-2). ASA sees numerous flaws in the approach EPA is using for indirect land use changes in its proposed rule. http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r060909.htm 86BFB1F2-98DB-4630-8C85-AE64E8CB61D7 Tue, 9 Jun 2009 13:27:47 -0500 The American Soybean Association (ASA) and Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont Business, are seeking applicants for the 2010 Young Leader Program. The Young Leader Program is recognized throughout agriculture for its longstanding tradition of identifying and cultivating the producer leaders who are shaping the U.S. soybean industry. http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r060309.htm 618DEC61-5392-466F-BD7B-81AD0D0B1731 Wed, 3 Jun 2009 10:20:28 -0500 Two U.S. Soybean farmers participated in a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) fact-finding mission to Colombia this week.Designed to learn more about the pending Colombia-U.S. FTA and increased opportunities for U.S. soy products, the trip included meetings with government officials, business leaders, union representatives and displaced workers that have been employed by social programs coordinated between the Colombian government and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r052209.htm 81176C5E-D8D5-487F-AE7C-47C19CC536B9 Fri, 22 May 2009 11:09:10 -0500 The American Soybean Association (ASA) testified today before the U.S. House of Representatives Small Business Subcommittee on Regulations, Healthcare and Trade on the impacts of outstanding regulatory policy on small biofuels producers and family farmers. Uncertainty over federal policy, such as the extension of the biodiesel tax credit, implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS-2), and implementation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Bioenergy Program is undermining investor confidence in the biodiesel industry. http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r052109.htm 80687405-9CDB-4DC7-A006-A62B81BF5E30 Thu, 21 May 2009 10:46:40 -0500 The American Soybean Association (ASA) today expressed support for the Obama Administration’s budget request for aquaculture research that could increase demand for soybean meal in aquafeed. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) requested an increase of $2 million for aquaculture research, some of which would be spent on studies on life-cycle cost analysis of aquaculture, marine fish hatcheries for stock enhancement, the environmental impacts of escapes from aquaculture, as well as sustainable feeds. http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r051409.htm FCA3B35E-EC59-4FFB-A6CF-2E4D9A370921 Thu, 14 May 2009 09:03:04 -0500 The American Soybean Association (ASA) today submitted comments to the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research regarding the impact of the indirect land use and renewable biomass provisions in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) expanded Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS-2). ASA sees numerous potential flaws in the approach EPA is using for indirect land use changes in its proposed rule. Further, there are numerous factors that ASA believes refute the possibility that significant international indirect land use change would result from the relatively small increase in U.S. biodiesel production called for under the RFS-2. http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r050609.htm FB983A92-85D4-4578-8905-4B7F35C36C0F Wed, 6 May 2009 14:36:54 -0500 The American Soybean Association (ASA) today reacted to the proposed rule for indirect land use and renewable biomass provisions in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) expanded Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS-2). The approach EPA has proposed to use for their proposed rule on RFS-2 implementation is significantly flawed, could make the RFS-2 goals unattainable and harms the competitive position of the U.S. soy biodiesel industry. http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r050509.htm 69BA2AA5-D3D5-4801-ACCD-795A2BDE4215 Tue, 5 May 2009 16:17:52 -0500 The American Soybean Association (ASA) led a Commodity Roundtable today in Washington, D.C., where representatives from 19 national agricultural groups discussed how organizations representing American crop and livestock producers can work together on potential climate change legislation and current animal welfare issues. http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r042909.htm 8548D041-E7D3-45CA-B46E-D8BAA91E81D8 Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:21:43 -0500 The American Soybean Association (ASA) today celebrated more than a decade of diligent and persistent work on behalf of U.S. soybean farmers to advance global acceptance of new biotech soybean traits after LibertyLink® soybeans (A2704-12) from Bayer CropScience received food safety approval from the Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). This final regulatory approval in South Korea clears the way for unrestricted planting in the United States and importation into all major markets for LibertyLink soybeans, along with Roundup Ready 2 Yield™ soybeans (MON 89788) from Monsanto, which received final KFDA regulatory approval on Feb. 27, 2009. http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r040209.htm 262E146D-8A14-4783-AC23-E98E6821D0C4 Thu, 2 Apr 2009 15:02:44 -0500 The nation’s soybean producers, through the American Soybean Association (ASA), will serve an array of soy-based foods to members of Congress, government officials and industry representatives at a special Capitol Hill luncheon. The Seventh Annual Congressional Soyfoods Lunch is slated for noon to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, in Room 1302, Longworth House Office Building. http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r030409.htm 49854D43-7C9E-43C2-AB39-060ED6751104 Wed, 4 Mar 2009 11:02:14 -0500 Soybean producers gathered in Grapevine, Texas this week to review and revise the policy direction of the American Soybean Association (ASA). One hundred thirty four producers from ASA’s 25 state affiliates served as Voting Delegates in this annual process that guides the ASA as it pursues future initiatives to improve U.S. soybean farmer profitability. The voting delegates session was held on Saturday, Feb. 28, following conclusion of the Commodity Classic Convention and Trade Show. What follows are the most significant additions and modifications covering a variety of important soybean issues. http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r022809.htm 275EF32F-FB79-40A9-9BA3-0197A7CEB25A Sat, 28 Feb 2009 11:00:51 -0500 The American Soybean Association (ASA) welcomes today’s announcements that two new biotech-enhanced soybean varieties, the Roundup Ready 2 Yield (TM) Soybean (MON 89788) from Monsanto and the LibertyLink® soybeans (A2704-12) from Bayer CropScience have both achieved additional import approval milestones from Korean regulatory agencies that pave the way for commercialization in the United States. http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r022709.htm 19E19993-E827-49E2-AEA4-996E7C3CE594 Fri, 27 Feb 2009 10:58:36 -0500 The American Soybean Association and BASF Corporation are inviting U.S. soybean producers to sign up for the 2009 Secure Optimal Yield (SOY) Challenge. In pursuit of greater profitability, nearly 300 growers in 25 states took part in the 2008 SOY program, and many more utilized the methods and products described in the program to conduct their own "unofficial" field trials. http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r020409.htm 73830036-B865-419B-B356-A8EA25790AD8 Wed, 4 Feb 2009 15:19:10 -0600 The American Soybean Association (ASA) welcomes the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announcement to continue the Asian Soybean Rust Pest Information Platform for Education and Extension (PIPE). ASA has been working with USDA and Congress to secure federal funding for PIPE because the system helps protect the U.S. soybean crop valued at more than $30 billion and saves soybean producers millions of dollars annually. http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r020309.htm A3391300-0C5A-42B1-86E3-770617813E20 Tue, 3 Feb 2009 12:03:31 -0600 The American Soybean Association (ASA) submitted a document outlining its 2009 policy priorities to the Obama Administration ahead of President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration as President of the United States on January 20, 2009. By developing and advocating soybean farmer top policy priorities to the incoming Obama Administration, ASA continues its rich tradition of working in the best interest of U.S. soybean farmers. http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r011409.htm 78040C02-FC6D-45EE-861A-D03957A047BB Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:30:00 -0600 The American Soybean Association (ASA) today expressed disappointment upon receiving news that a few disgruntled checkoff and state leaders have formed a new soybean federation in an attempt to distract the U.S. soybean industry and undermine ASA’s efforts calling for an audit and investigation of the national soybean checkoff. http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2009_releases/r010909.htm 69040C02-FC6D-45EE-861A-D03957A047BB Fri, 9 Jan 2009 15:30:00 -0600 "ASA partnered with PHC on the project because part of our mission is to help identify new ways for ASA members to maximize soybean yield and profitability," said ASA President John Hoffman, a soybean producer from Waterloo, Iowa. "N-Hibit’s ability to reduce SCN damage and boost overall plant health is consistent with that mission, so ASA worked with PHC to make our members aware of the Satisfaction Guarantee program." http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/releases/2008_releases/r112508.htm 68040C02-FC6D-45EE-861A-D03957A047AA Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:19:10 -0600