About OSC

Message from the Chairman

Keith Kemp, Chairman

OSC and the soybean checkoff have made a committed effort at maintaining and increasing the demand for Ohio soybeans by directing statewide, national and international projects.

Focus areas include animal agriculture, international marketing, new uses, production research and soy biodiesel. Please take a moment to browse the website to learn more about each of these areas.

As an Ohio soybean farmer, it has been an honor to serve on the Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) Board of Trustees, and as chairman I will work hard to continue the great work that the soybean checkoff has done to improve profitability for all Ohio soybean farmers. It is amazing to see what has already been accomplished, and the future promises to be just as exciting.

Sincerely,

Keith Kemp
Ohio Soybean Council Chairman
Preble County Soybean Farmer

Focus Areas

The mission of the Ohio Soybean Council is to maximize the profitability of Ohio's soybean checkoff funds in targeted domestic and international research, promotion and communication initiatives which are focused in the following areas:

Animal Agriculture - The soybean checkoff has long supported animal agriculture, as livestock and poultry are the number one consumers of soybean meal. It is important for soybean farmers to understand the importance of the livestock industry and the influence it has on their bottom line. In Ohio alone, livestock and poultry use 525,000 tons of soybean meal annually, and generates $3.6 billion in economic output each year.

Business Climate - The Ohio soybean checkoff works closely with economic development stakeholders to improve the business climate for agriculture in Ohio, and to strengthen the overall Ohio economy.

International Marketing - As a result of increasing global demand for soybean products, Ohio soybean producers have enjoyed the benefits of increased export opportunities, and the long-term outlook is for continued growth in foreign soybean demand. The soybean checkoff is working to promote Ohio soybeans to current customers and to discover new international markets.

New Uses - Through ongoing efforts to reduce our reliance on petroleum many industries are seeking alternatives, and soybeans are a viable solution. Already, commercial success has been realized with soy-based ink toner as a direct result of checkoff investments. Progress continues in the development of soy-based lubricants, plasticizers, polyols and powder coatings. And for more than a decade the soybean checkoff has invested in the research and development of soy biodiesel. Now that this product has entered the mainstream, the checkoff is committed to ensuring its continued success through education and promotion.

Production Research - Disease resistance and increasing yield is vital to the continued success of Ohio soybean farmers. But a growing demand for soybeans that can deliver on specific compositional traits in regard to oil, protein and fiber content has also fueled the demand for new soybean varieties, and through this type of research, the soybean checkoff is helping Ohio farmers make the most of their soybean crop.

Transportation/Logistics - Soybean producers face both opportunities and challenges in delivering their product to the marketplace. At the state and national levels, the soybean checkoff works to improve existing transportation and logistics infrastructure, and identify emerging opportunities to move soybeans more efficiently and profitably.

Ohio Soybean Council 2009 Strategic Plan

Priority Areas for FY 2009

Animal Agriculture: Support the growth and sustainability of the animal agriculture industry
Business Climate: Work with economic development stakeholders to improve the business climate for agriculture in Ohio
International Marketing: Develop and market Ohio soybeans key strengths and products to the global economy
New Uses: Support and grow the industrial uses of soybeans through public and private collaboration that encourages rapid commercialization of new technologies
Production Research: Invest in production research that ultimately increases yield, improves soybean quality, and develops superior traits
Transportation/Logistics: Improve existing transportation and logistics infrastructure and identify emerging opportunities

Strategies for FY 2009

Animal Agriculture:

New Uses Strategies: Pursue the research and development of alternative uses for animal waste nutrients
International Marketing Strategies: Support U.S. meat and poultry exports by promoting additional global consumption; provide superior feed and meal to international markets
Domestic Marketing Strategies: Educate and promote the value of livestock waste as fertilizer and energy sources; educate soybean farmers and livestock producers about the importance of soybean meal for feed; educate consumers about the importance of Ohio's livestock and poultry industries
Communications Strategies: Communicate the importance of animal agriculture to all stakeholders

Business Climate

New Uses Strategies: Work with industry stakeholders to develop an effective, collaborative synergy
International Marketing Strategies: Attract industries to Ohio through licensing and marketing new technologies internationally
Domestic Marketing Strategies: Develop a partnership with local, state and national organizations to identify strategies for improving business climate
Communications Strategies: Work with industry and economic development partners to communicate the opportunities for soy-based businesses in Ohio

International Marketing

New Uses Strategies: Work with industry stakeholders to license and market new technologies in international markets
International Marketing Strategies: Emphasize the superior quality of Ohio soy to international markets; develop international markets with a focus on Asia; collaborate with key partners at the state, national and international levels
Domestic Marketing Strategies: Support development of value added domestic markets, including food grade; promote value-added export opportunities to producers of soy and soy technology; utilize Ohio's geographic proximity to take advantage of marketing opportunities in the Eastern U.S.
Communications Strategies: Educate and inform producers on value-added market opportunities; Identify cooperative communication opportunities

New Uses

New Uses Strategies: Collaborate with Battelle and OBIC to more effectively commercialize new bioproducts; identify research and development collaborators; develop new soy bio-based products, with a focus on soybean meal
International Marketing Strategies: Collaborate with research-based organizations to identify commercialization opportunities in international markets, with a focus on Asian markets
Domestic Marketing Strategies: Promote the importance of fuel quality; explore new alternative fuel and energy production technologies
Communications Strategies: Develop educational and communication materials on the benefits of soy bio-based products
Production Research Strategies: Develop specific traits of soybeans to support the development of soy bio-based products

Production Research

New Uses Strategies: Develop specific traits of soybeans to support the development of soy bio-based products
International Marketing Strategies: Develop quality traits that distinguish themselves among international competitors
Domestic Marketing Strategies: Identify and communicate premium growing opportunities for producers
Communications Strategies: Communicate to producers about new production research findings
Production Research Strategies: Fund production research to enhance profitability; identify new trait opportunities

Transportation/Logistics

International Marketing Strategies: Leverage opportunities surrounding shipping containers; promote improvement of existing transportation and logistics infrastructure; utilize Ohio's strategic geographic advantage
Domestic Marketing Strategies: Collaborate with key partners at the state, national and international levels; educate and inform producers on new and emerging shipping opportunities; analyze current transportation and logistics system
Communications Strategies: Communicate to farmers about the emerging transportation, logistics and infrastructure issues