2025 Tech Hub Live

Record Beans, Lower Corn in New Acreage Report

Cindy Zimmerman

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) estimates 85.1 million acres of soybeans planted in the United States this year, up two percent from last year and setting a new record high. In contrast, growers planted an estimated 88.9 million acres to corn, the lowest corn acreage since 2010. Record high soybean planted acreage is estimated in …

Audio, Corn, Cotton, Soybean, USDA, Wheat

West Central Adding Value to Soybeans

Joanna Schroeder

West Central’s announcement that they are kicking off a $27 million expansion is adding value said Grant Kimberley, executive director of Iowa Biodiesel Board during West Central’s event to announce the new project. Kimberley noted that Iowa is the leading producing of soybeans – more than 500 million bushels per year. “It’s all about value-added agriculture and being able to …

Agribusiness, Dairy, Nutrition, Soybean

West Central Expansion Will Create Financial Strength

Joanna Schroeder

West Central has announced a major commitment to its grower-members and to Iowa with the announcement of a $27 million expansion. According to West Central President and CEO Milan Kucerak, this is a significant investment for the company. He said on the dairy side they have three products – SoyPlus, SoyChlor and PASTURChlor – that they sell nationally and internationally. …

Agribusiness, Audio, Dairy, Nutrition, Soybean

West Central to Help Meet Global Protein Demand

Joanna Schroeder

West Central has announced its plan for a $27 million, multi-year expansion to increase soybean processing capacity by 50 percent and build additional grain storage at its Ralston, Iowa complex. The project is set to have great benefits not only for Iowa but globally as discussed by Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. Naig said West Central’s expansion is …

Agribusiness, Audio, Dairy, Nutrition, Soybean

Soy Based Paint Can Shrink Your Footprint

Kelly Marshall

Two parking lots in New Jersey are being refreshed, with the first waterborne traffic paint made with soybean oil.  The Medford Township school system continuously searches for sustainable initiatives, which lead the director of operations and technology, Joe Bilkuck, to BioStripe.  This soy-biobased traffic paint is being tested on two of the district’s parking lots, because in addition to being …

Ag Groups, Biotech, Soybean, USB

West Central Expands SoyPlus Plant in Iowa

Jamie Johansen

West Central celebrated a big announcement this morning at their headquarters in Ralston, Iowa. The manufacturer of SoyPlus, an industry-leading high bypass protein dairy feed, made public their plans for expansion of the SoyPlus plant to increase production capacity by 50%. The $27 million investment will include an additional line of mechanical presses, soybean storage, soybean oil storage, finished product …

Agribusiness, Audio, Dairy, Nutrition, Soybean

First USDA Crop Estimates

Cindy Zimmerman

USDA’s May World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate report released today includes the first estimates for crop production this year. Overall, the report is projecting wheat production to be higher and corn and soybeans lower this season. All wheat production is projected at 2,087 million bushels, up 3 percent. Corn production is projected at 13.6 billion bushels, down 586 million …

Corn, NCGA, Soybean, USDA, Wheat

Senate Ag Grain Standards Act Hearing

Cindy Zimmerman

The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry held a hearing Tuesday to review the U.S. Grain Standards Act, which has provisions that expire this year. The act authorizes USDA’s Federal Grain Inspection Service to establish marketing standards for a variety of grains and oilseeds and was last reauthorized in 2005. “Predictability and transparency are key to maintaining a global …

ASA, Grains, Soybean

Farm Team Goes to Bat

Cindy Zimmerman

The St. Louis Cardinals’ new roster this season includes some homegrown talent from the Show-Me State. Missouri Farmers Care (MFC) and the St. Louis Cardinals are proud to bring to Busch Stadium the Farm Team, comprised of mascots Captain Cornelius, Simon the Soybean, and Sweet Bessie. The Farm Team is part of the “Race to the Plate” educational campaign to …

Corn, Livestock, Soybean

Global Soybean Stakeholders in China

Cindy Zimmerman

Representatives from U.S. soybean organizations are in China this week joining their counterparts from several other countries to discuss the biotech-approval process there. United Soybean Board (USB) chairman Bob Haselwood of Kansas, the American Soybean Association (ASA) president Wade Cowan of Texas, and the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) chair Laura Foell of Iowa teamed up with their fellow soybean …

ASA, Audio, Soybean, Trade