How much does growing IP soybeans really cost?

ST. LOUIS (September 30, 2014) - Facing lower soybean cash prices this year, farmers are looking for opportunities to add to their bottom lines. Growing identity-preserved (IP) soybeans is one option for additional profit opportunities, but the costs can seem overwhelming to farmers thinking about getting started.

U.S.-soy-industry-led board QUALISOY developed a calculator that can help farmers determine how much profit they can add by growing IP soybeans, including high oleic varieties.

The calculator, based on a Purdue University study, helps farmers navigate the typical steps required to produce and segregate IP soybeans and gives them an estimate of added profit potential. The United Soybean Board's Value Task Force funded the study.

"The charge of the Value Task Force is to try to find the next big thing that could really create opportunities for soybean farmers, and we feel that there is a lot of opportunity in IP soybeans," says Dan Corcoran, a soybean farmer from Piketon, Ohio, and chair of the Value Task Force. "Whether a farmer has ever grown IP soybeans before or not, this tool will help determine the potential value that is out there."

This calculator, available for use on http://soyinnovation.com/inputs-handling/, also gives a quick look into the limited costs associated with growing IP or high oleic soybeans.

"The soybean calculator is easy to access and has straightforward questions," says Corcoran. "It takes you on a logical path to get a basis for non-IP products and what it takes to deliver a crop. Then it goes into the additional costs and revenue associated with growing IP soybeans.

"This tool helps you make an educated business decision by removing a large amount of guesswork. It gives soybean farmers a good overview of exactly what we need to invest when we choose to grow IP."

Right now, opportunities available for soybean farmers to grow IP include non-GMO, food-grade and high oleic soybeans. However, high oleic soybeans have easier handling procedures compared with other IP soybeans. The calculator takes those factors into consideration when delivering its results.

"With the current state of soybean prices, it is important for soybean farmers to grow a product that has increasing demand," concludes Corcoran. "This concept of growing a product that customers are demanding is beneficial for farmers in general."

The 70 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of U.S. soy's customers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
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Braley highlights importance of RFS and bipartisan Farm Bill to Iowa's economy
Merrill, IA - Today Bruce Braley highlighted the importance of the bipartisan Farm Bill and a strong Renewable Fuel Standard to Iowa's economy while touring the Plymouth Energy Ethanol Plant in Merrill, Iowa.

"When it comes to protecting Iowa agriculture jobs, there's a clear choice in the race for US Senate," Braley said. "I worked across the party divide for three years to help pass a bipartisan Farm Bill, and I've fought to protect the job-creating Renewable Fuel Standard from the EPA's proposed cuts. State Sen. Ernst, on the other hand, stands with the Big Oil interests backing her campaign against the Farm Bill and is 'philosophically opposed' to the job-creating RFS. I grew up in rural Iowa, worked in ag jobs growing up, and will always work to put the 75,000 Iowans whose jobs depend on renewable energy first."

Braley's support for renewable fuels helped him win the endorsement of the Iowa Corn Growers Association.

Braley has fought staunchly to protect the RFS; according to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, nearly 75,000 Iowa jobs are connected to renewable fuels. Late last year, Braley was the only member of the Iowa U.S. House delegation to join Governor Terry Branstad at an EPA hearing where they spoke out against the EPA's proposed cuts. In November 2013, Braley teamed up with Republican Rep. Steve King to host an event with Iowa State's Bioeconomy Institute to explain to Congressional staff the importance of keeping the RFS at its current levels. At Braley's request, Iowa consistently has had representation at Congressional hearings examining the future of the RFS. And early this year, he helped deliver 100,000 signatures to the EPA urging them to maintain a strong RFS.

Braley also has a strong record of promoting Iowa agriculture and fighting to grow Iowa's rural economy. He worked for three years across party lines to pass the bipartisan Farm Bill that is critical to Iowa jobs and Iowa's farming communities.

In contrast, State Sen. Ernst would put Tea Party obstructionism before Iowa: Ernst would have opposed the Farm Bill, is "philosophically opposed" to the RFS, and her spokesperson said that "in a perfect world...she would support doing away with the (RFS)."

IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - This weekend, the Quad City Symphony Orchestra begins its 100th Season with Masterworks I: Into a New World, now starring celebrated American Master pianist André Watts. Watts has graciously agreed to take the stage in place of Garrick Ohlsson, who will not be able to perform due to health reasons.  

Masterworks I: Into a New World will be held 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 4 at the Adler Theatre, Davenport, IA, and 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 5 at Centennial Hall, Augustana College, Rock Island, IL. QCSO Music Director and Conductor Mark Russell Smith will lead the orchestra. In addition to the performance by Watts, the evening will include a world premiere composition by John Frantzen entitled "Beyond a Wild Dream," as well as Antonín Dvo?ák's New World Symphony.

"We choose the pieces for the first Masterworks performance of our 100th Season to be powerful, energetic and exhilarating," said Smith. "This will be a performance that audience members will remember for years to come." 

Watts comes to the QCSO fresh from his stunning performance at the Houston Symphony to perform Rachmaninoff's deeply romantic Piano Concerto No. 2. 

About André Watts and Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2

A much-honored artist who has played before royalty in Europe and heads of government worldwide, André Watts received a 2011 National Medal of Arts, given by the President of the United States to individuals who are deserving of special recognition for their outstanding contributions to the excellent, growth, support and availability of the arts.

In June 2006, he was inducted into the Hollywood Bowl of Fame to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his debut (with the Philadelphia Orchestra) and he is also the recipient of the 1988 Avery Fisher Prize. At age 26, Watts was the youngest person ever to receive an Honorary Doctorate from Yale University and he has since received numerous honors from highly respected schools, including the University of Pennsylvania, Brandeis University, the Juilliard School of Music and his Alma Mater, the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University.

Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 is a powerful, passionate work that music lovers will be sure to enjoy. Enduringly popular since its 1901 debut, the concerto's themes have found fame in such movies as Brief Encounter, The Seven Year Itch and the popular song, "All by Myself."

Frantzen's "Beyond a Wild Dream" - An Energetic World Premiere

According to QCSO Executive Director Benjamin Loeb, the 2014-2015 Masterworks series will present the world premieres of five compositions. Masterworks I: Into a New World will offer the first premiere: "Beyond a Wild Dream" by John Frantzen, who grew up in Maquoketa, Iowa. "We are proud to be able to present a colorful, energetic composition by Frantzen," said Loeb. "Creators of symphonic music can come from any part of the globe - and they can be local, too. In addition to Frantzen, we also work with composers who are instructors at Augustana College and St. Ambrose University." 

John Frantzen now lives in Los Angeles, where he writes music in all genres including concert, chamber, dance, sound installations and film. He has collaborated with artists from around the world, including a recent sound installation created for his sister Rose Frantzen's art exhibit at Davenport's Figge Museum. 

"In writing 'Beyond a Wild Dream' for the Quad City Symphony Orchestra," Frantzen said, "I did some research to see what it would have been like to attend the very first symphony performance in the Quad-Cities - or Tri-Cities, as it was called 100 years ago. That performance included passionate works by Tchaikovsky and Wagner, among others. At that time, it was a wild dream to start an orchestra in the Tri-Cities, but still, citizens felt the need to support the arts in the community, no matter how big or small. My composition pays homage to that noble spirit."

Frantzen's musical career began when he was a student in Maquoketa, playing trombone for the school bands. During those years, he placed second in a national song-writing competition. "I loved being part of the band," he said, "and realized I had a passion to create. That made me want to become a composer." He received a full scholarship to Arizona State University as a trombonist and later completed a masters in composition at the Manhattan School of Music in New York. This development led to the successful career he is having today.

Dvo?ák's "From the New World" - Inspired by a Trip to America

The final piece of the evening comes from composer Antonín Dvo?ák (1841-1904), a citizen of what is now the Czech Republic. He was noted for his skill in turning folk material into the language of 19th-century Romantic music. In 1892, he accepted the post of Director of the National Conservatory of Music in New York.

During his three years in the United States, Dvo?ák traveled as far west as Iowa. His trip to America proved to be inspiring and productive. It led him to create the piece that widely became regarded as his signature work: the four-movement Symphony No. 9 in E Minor "From the New World," also known as "The New World Symphony." 

"We chose the New World Symphony because it is one of the most beloved pieces in the QCSO repertoire," said Loeb. "It is a lively, colorful composition that has been very popular with our patrons in the past, and its great energy makes it a perfect companion for the other musical selections." 

Quad City Symphony Orchestra tickets are available at the QCSO box office at 327 Brady St., Davenport, IA. You can also call the QCSO at (563) 322-7276 or visit www.qcso.org. For more information on future offerings from QCSO, be sure to download the full 100th Season brochure at www.qcso.org/calendar.html.

Simon kicks off cell phone drive to benefit domestic violence survivors;

Verizon-sponsored drive to benefit domestic violence shelters

 

CHICAGO – Lt. Governor Sheila Simon Tuesday will launch her office's annual cell phone drive, a partnership with HopeLine by Verizon Wireless that benefits survivors of domestic violence. Simon will be joined by representatives of the Violence Prevention Center of Southwestern Illinois, Verizon Wireless and elected officials in Belleville.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the Office of the Lt. Governor will partner with HopeLine from Verizon during October to conduct a Domestic Violence Awareness Month cell phone drive. Collected cell phones will go to Verizon's HopeLine Cell Phone program to be refurbished and resold. After the drive, which will run from Oct. 1-24, Verizon will issue up to $5,000 each to the Violence Prevention Center of Southwestern Illinois and Connections for Abused Women and their Children (CAWC) in Chicago.

Based in Belleville, the Violence Prevention Center of Southwestern Illinois provides shelter and other services to domestic violence survivors in the East St. Louis area. CAWC aids domestic violence survivors in the Chicago area and is a member of the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Metropolitan Chicago Battered Women's Network.

For more information about the HopeLine Cell Phone drive, visit http://www.verizonwireless.com/aboutus/hopeline/.

 

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