This week in St. Louis, USSEC staff participated in the United Soybean Board (USB)’s biennial CONNECTIONS meeting, which brings together representatives from throughout the U.S. soy value chain to shape our industry’s plans over the next 5 to 10 years. Leaders work with others in the soy industry to set global priorities related to USB’s strategic objectives, which are:
- Increase the value of soy meal
- Increase the value of soy oil
- Assure our industry has the freedom and infrastructure to operate
- Focus on our customers by meeting their needs with quality products and services
Jay Lehr, who serves as Science Director for the Heartland Institute, gave the keynote speech. “You need to be continually improving and moving forward on promoting what you do,” said the author, inventor and accomplished athlete in his remarks. There are both opportunities and threats for soybean farmers that deserve attention, Lehr continues. China represents one opportunity. The growing world superpower is home to nearly 1.3 billion people and holds many benefits for soybean farmers. Lehr also suggested that rising global affluence is another boon for America’s soybean farmers. In spite of the continued international recession, the actual level of affluence around the world has increased dramatically.
This year’s CONNECTIONS aimed to identify the “game-changing” issues or market scenarios that will profoundly impact each one of these categories and determine what the industry needs to do to positively shape them. Further information about these game changers will be forthcoming.
Economist and futurist Dr. Jay Lehr of the Heartland Institute opens the meeting as keynote speaker.
