December 1995

In This Issue:


Welcome to our new logo.

This issue of SoyNews introduces a new logo which has been adopted by the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. Advent of the new logo led to a redesign of the newsletter nameplate.

The logo was developed by a committee of the board working in cooperation with Ed Rhodes, an artist with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, which donated technology as well as staff time to the project.

There is a four-color version of the logo as well as the black and white one shown here. One of the versions will be used on all stationery and publications produced by the board. It is hoped Arkansas soybean producers will associate the logo with producer-funded programs and activities.

Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board Members 1995-96

Stanley Reed, Marianna, Chairman
Roger Pohlner, Fisher, Vice-chairman
Art Simpson, Marked Tree, Secretary-Treasurer
Jerry Ford, Lake Village
Joe Kirksey, Mulberry *
Paul McCutchen, Parkin *
Bryan Moery, Wynne *
Mary Ratcliffe, Sweet Home
David Walt, Dumas

* Designates representatives on the United Soybean Board

Staffing Provided By:
Ewell Welch
501-228-1265

Jerry Ford to serve on United Soybean Board

Jerry Ford, of Lake Village, among twenty-six soybean producers from twenty-four states appointed or reappointed to terms on the United Soybean Board.

Ford, a member of the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board, was named to his first three-year term on the USB. He replaces Joe Kirksey, Mulberry, whose term had expired and who asked not to be reappointed. Ford will join Paul McCutchen, Parkin, and Bryan Moery, Wynne, who are the other two representatives from Arkansas on the USB.

The United Soybean Board is the farmer-run organization established through enabling legislation contained d in the 1990 farm bill to administer soybean checkofffunds. One-half of funds collected in Arkansas and all other soybean-producing states are forwarded to the USB to fund their national and international programs.

Pulaski County producer joins Arkansas board

Pulaski County soybean producer Mary Ratcliffe was recently appointed by Gov. Jim Guy Tucker to a two-year term on the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board.

Mrs. Ratcliffe was nominated by the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation to succeed Jack Jones, of Pottsville, whose term expired.

Mrs. Ratcliffe is a soybean and beef cattle producer from Sweet Home in Pulaski County. She will join eight other soybean producers on the board, which is responsible for administering the soybean checkoff program in Arkansas.

Extension plans county production meetings

During January and February of each year, many county Extension offices conduct soybean production meetings. At these meetings, soybean research and extension specialists provide updates for producers on the latest technology, much of which is the result of projects funded by checkoff dollars. All producers are invited to attend these meetings. Additional details for each meeting can be obtained by contacting the individual listed below.
County				Date		Resource Person/Phone#
___________________________________________________________________________
St. Francis Co. Ag Expo		Jan. 3		Jim Gooch / 261-1730
Tri-State Soybean Forum		Jan. 5		Blair Griffin / 382-4785
AR River Valley			Jan. 9		William Nelson / 354-9618
Mississippi			Jan. 10		Dave Freeze / 762-2075
Woodruff			Jan. 11		Eugene erhune / 347-2556
Cross				Jan. 12		Rick Wimberley / 238-5745	
Prairie				Jan. 15		Hank Chaney / 998-2614
Jefferson			Jan. 19		Kent Rorie / 534-1033
Lonoke				Jan. 22		Quinton Hornsby / 676-3124
Poinsett			Jan. 23		Rick Thompson / 578-4490
Clay				Jan. 25		Roger Gipson / 857-6875
Arkansas			Jan. 25		Phil Sims / 673-6111
Lee				Jan. 26		Lazaro English / 295-7720
Jackson				Jan. 39		Randy Chlapecka / 523-7450
Greene				Jan. 30		Mark Brawner / 236-6921
Crittenden			Jan. 30		Steve Rodery / 739-3239
4-State Ag Expo, Texarkana	Feb. 8		Doug Petty / 779-3609
Clark				Feb. 13		Ron Matlock / 246-2281
Phillips			Feb. 14		Jerry Williams / 338-5540
N.E. AR Expo, Jonesboro		Feb. 15		Steve Culp / 993-4565

United Soybean Board members approve contractor transitions

At the United Soybean Board annual meeting in St. Louis on Dec. 11, 1995, the board of 59 producer directors made the following decisions:

This decision alters the working relationship of the USB and ASA, refining the role that each has within the soybean industry to increase the profitability of soybean producers

"I truly believe this is a win-win situation for soybean producers," says USB Chairman Barry Mumby, a producer from Fulton, Michigan.

Although this may be a change in the way of doing business for contractors, ASA and USB, change does occur in a dynamic environment. The important thing is how we adapt to the changing needs of consumers, producers and the entire soybean industry," says John Long, ASA president, a producer from Newberry, South Carolina.

Arkansas SPB funds SoyDiesel project, donates to Tri-State Soybean Forum

The Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board held its regular December meeting on Dec. 6 at the Farm Bureau Center. Subjects discussed and actions taken at that meeting are summarized as follows:

Acceptance of financial report; plans for research funding for 1996-97; approval of printing of a new publication, Soybeans Today; adoption of new logo; additional funding of $5,000 for SoyDiesel demonstration project; donation of $300 to the Tri-State Soybean Forum; and setting meeting dates for 1996.

All meetings of the board are open to the public.

Russian buyers visit Midwest processors

Three representatives of Russia's government and agricultural industry spent nine days in November with soybean processors and feed millers in the Midwest.

The United Soybean Board funded the visit, which was hosted by Cooperative Business International.

A USDA Food for Progress grant gave CBI 65,000 metric tons (more than two million bushels) of soybeans to sell to the Russian Liskinski Oil Extraction Plant and more than 10,000 metric tons of soy meal to sell in the Tver Oblast.

CBI sold the commodities for Russian rubles, which were reinvested into local agribusinesses, including loans to crop farmers and livestock producers.

Events of interest to producers coming in '96

Listed below are several events and activities scheduled in 1996 that will be of interest to Arkansas soybean producers:

Jan. 5 Tri-State Soybean Forum, Dumas Convention Center, Dumas, Ark.
Feb. 7-9 Southern Soybean Conference, Peabody Hotel, Memphis, Tenn.
March 1 ASPB Research Committee Meetings, Farm Bureau Center, Little Rock
March 14 ASPB Board Meeting, Farm Bureau Center, Little Rock, Ark.
Aug. 7 ASPB Board Meeting, (Location to Be Announced) (Tentative)
Dec. 11 ASPB Board Meeting, (Location to Be Announced)
Dec. 12 Arkansas Soybean Research Conference (Location to be Announced)

Soybean Today will go in mail in January

The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service has prepared a new publication about soybean checkoff programs and projects that will soon be mailed to Arkansas soybean producers.

The tabloid publication, Soybeans Today, is an easy read, designed to inform producers about how their checkoff dollars are being used and the results of projects funded by the checkoff. Many of the articles in the tabloid are oriented toward research results that farmers can apply directly to their farming operation.

Soybeans Today is scheduled for mailing immediately after the end of the year and each producer on the mailing list for SOYNEWS should receive a copy. If you do not get a copy and wish one, please call the Soybean Promotion Board office at 501-228-1265.

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For additional information about any board-related activity contact:

Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board
ATTN: Ewell Welch
P.O. Box 31
Little Rock, AR 72203-0031

Phone: 501-228-1265.


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