FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BLOOMINGTON, ILL – November 16, 2020 – The Illinois Soybean Association has just completed a trade & exports farmer survey, designed to gauge farmer understanding and ultimately build relationships with international customers to impact farmer profitability.
Says Rick Rubenacker, ISA Market Development Chairman and Board Director, “More than sixty-percent of Illinois soybeans are exported. The state’s river system and availability of empty shipping containers gives Illinois a competitive advantage for exporting soy. This survey was created to get a better idea of our farmers’ current understanding of what we’re doing in the trade and esports space, so that we can do a better job of communicating our goals and objectives.”
The trade & exports survey gauged feedback from dozens of farmers who articulated overwhelming support for ISA’s efforts around market exploration. Survey results indicate that ninety-one percent of participants believe soybean exports impact profitability as a farmer, and ninety-three percent think continued investment by ISA in the soy export industry is important.
“I do feel exporting soybeans is a very important way to invest farmer checkoff money,” reports an anonymous participant. “It is crucial to remember that ISA can not do this alone. Illinois, other states and national organizations must work together to achieve trade goals and create profitability for the American farmer.”
This project is a continuation of ISA programs that focus on serving international soybean customers and providing them with information to help in their buying decisions. Since Illinois relies heavily on export markets, this audience remains a priority.
The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) checkoff and membership programs represent more than 43,000 soybean farmers in Illinois. The checkoff funds market development and utilization efforts while the membership program supports the government relations interests of Illinois soybean farmers at the local, state, and national level, through the Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG). ISA upholds the interests of Illinois soybean producers through promotion, advocacy, and education with the vision of becoming a market leader in sustainable soybean production and profitability. For more information, visit the website www.ilsoy.org.
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For more information, contact:
Rachel Peabody
Director of Communications
peabodyr@ilsoy.org
217-825-7654
