Voting delegates of the American Soybean Association (ASA) set policy regarding a comprehensive long-term farm bill, as well as additional critical soybean industry priorities, such as exports and trade, transportation and biotechnology, during its annual meeting at the 2013 Commodity Classic last week.

“The resolutions process is a great reminder that ASA’s policies come directly from the ground up,” said ASA President Danny Murphy, a soybean farmer from Canton, Miss. “The policies are raised, voted on and established as ASA priorities through an entirely farmer-driven process. It keeps farmers involved and it keeps ASA firmly tied to the everyday concerns of soybean farmers.”

Within the farm bill resolution language, ASA maintained that any new farm bill must not distort planting decisions, and it should protect and strengthen crop insurance as a viable risk management tool for soybean producers. The farm bill resolution approved by the delegates also contained language encouraging Congress to protect valuable programs streamlining conservation programs, reauthorizing and funding biodiesel and biobased education programs, agricultural research, trade development and food aid programs.

Read more about ASA’s policy priorities here.

Listen to Danny, along with ASA Chairman Steve Wellman and First VP Ray Gaesser, summarize issues important to soybean growers at the 2013 Commodity Classic: ASA Officers Press Conference

2013 Commodity Classic Photo Album