By Jeff Caldwell

During American Soybean Association (ASA) resolutions discussions at the 2005 Commodity Classic, delegates recognized the importance of livestock as a market for U.S. soybeans.

In doing so, delegates resolved to support the industry through the promotion of biotechnology to improve the animal feed efficiency of the grain and voted to support cost share funds for livestock producers who upgrade, replace or expand operations in environmentally sound ways.

Yet, despite this support through resolutions formally recognizing its importance to the soybean industry, the livestock sector today is under increasing pressures from activist groups and others working to drive the industry out of areas where it has been an economic mainstay for generations.

"ASA recognizes the largest customer for U.S. soybeans is the domestic livestock industry," ASA president Neal Bredehoeft said Feb. 24. "They're facing great environmental pressures. ASA is calling for additional resources needed to adequately meet the expanding requirements taking place in these industries."

What has brought such pressures upon the livestock industry, one that uses almost three-quarters of the total domestic soybean crush? Combined with anti-animal agriculture interests, unfair air and water regulations are thrust upon the industry, making it increasingly difficult to sustain a livestock operation, according to Randy Spronk, a Pipestone, Minn., pork producer.

"There's a misnomer in agriculture that clean air and water regulation doesn't apply to us. That's wrong," Spronk said. "Activists want us to farm the way we used to. But, we've come a long way since my dad's time. If we can't raise livestock, we've got a big problem in the United States."

One way the litigious aura can be blown away from livestock production, in part with the assistance of the soybean industry, specifically the soybean checkoff, is by funding awareness and education for stakeholders upon whom the sustainability of the livestock industry depends. According to Mark Pietz, United Soybean Board director and soybean grower, it is here where growers must do everything they can to ensure the valuable market remains open for years to come.

"Livestock is the economic bread and butter of the U.S.," said Pietz, chairman of the United Soybean Board (USB) Animal Agriculture Initiative. "We've sat on the sideline long enough. Let's stand up with our neighbors, unified for this cause."

Toward this end, Pietz said around $900,000 from the soybean checkoff would soon be implemented, at individual state levels, for awareness and promotion of the livestock industry.

"We want to educate and inform farmers, and educate more people," he said. "It's a unique opportunity to form a partnership effort at the local level."

Moving into the future, support for livestock production must continue to emanate from the soybean industry. Pietz said USB will continue working toward heightened awareness about animal agriculture by the general public. But, support must not end there. Soybean production industry members also must continue their efforts.

"We need to continue to work together and move down the road to support animal agriculture," Pietz said. "We need to identify strategies and responses to counteract the anti-animal ag movement in this country."

Date: 3/24/05