Nebraska

As part of an ongoing effort to meet Nebraska soybean producer's needs, the Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB) recently commissioned the USDA's Nebraska Agricultural Statistics Service to randomly sample and survey a statewide cross section of soybean producers. Six hundred soybean producers returned their surveys and the results were very encouraging and informative.

In November of 2004, 4000 of the surveys were mailed out to soybean producers all across Nebraska. The purpose of the survey was to help the NSB determine which issues Nebraska soybean producers feel are most important for the soybean industry to address by investing future checkoff monies. The survey was also meant to function as a measuring tool to provide the NSB with an indication of how effective soybean growers think the NSB is administering the state's share of national checkoff dollars. As of January 2005, 15 percent were returned and tallied with the results as follows.

Of the producers surveyed, 90 percent ranked Biobased Products, which includes soy biodiesel, industrial lubricants, paints, cosmetics, plastics, etc., as the most important area for checkoff investments. Rounding out the top four highest ranked areas for checkoff dollar investments were International Marketing with 61 percent; Biotechnologies, Composition, Yield and Profitability with 41 percent; and Domestic Animal Production with 40 percent.

"These survey results really reflect exactly how Nebraska farmers would like to see their checkoff dollars allocated. We can use these results to steer the soybean checkoff program in the direction that producers would like to see it heading," said NSB Director Mike Korth of Randolph.

Korth also stated that the survey revealed a total of 64 percent of Nebraska soybean producers are using soy biodiesel in some form or another in their operations. "On a state level, Nebraska soy biodiesel usage far exceeds the national usage average of 36 percent. These high Nebraska usage rates are undoubtedly due to the NSB's efforts to increase awareness and availability throughout the state," said Korth. "Results like these are very encouraging because the way we see it, we truly are making the checkoff pay off here in Nebraska."

The NSB would like to thank all the soybean producers that participated in the survey. The sole purpose of the NSB is to enhance the profit opportunities for the Nebraska soybean producer. The NSB cannot do its job without the input and opinions from the producers themselves.

Nebraska Soybean Board members are responsible for administering the state's share of the one-half of one percent national check-off on soybeans produced in Nebraska. The funds are invested in research, marketing and promotion projects for soybeans.

Date: 2/23/05

	Web hpj.com

Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2008.  High Plains Publishers, Inc.  All rights reserved.  Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com