See For Yourself 2015: Atlanta

Day 1- Following the Journey of Soybeans

Early this morning, a group of 17 South Dakota soybean farmers departed on a trip that would take them from where they produce soybeans to where they are transported and shipped off to end users.

Through meeting with soybean customers from around the world at the International Production and Processing Expo (IPPE) to touring the Port of New Orleans, this group will experience the soybean export process firsthand through this “See For Yourself “ tour. Participants will also see how their checkoff dollars are invested in international marketing.

Poultry and the Soybean Industry

The first tour stop was in Atlanta, GA, with the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC).

USAPEEC’s mission is to promote exports of U.S. poultry and eggs around the world. The Council evolved into an association that is an advocate for the industry on trade policy issues, but does not lobby. Throughout the world, USAPEEC touts the high quality of American poultry and egg products.

USAPEEC has grown to have 14 international offices throughout the world. These offices allow them to keep up to date with international current events that impact the U.S. poultry and egg industry. They are primarily made up of soybean members but also other commodities like corn.

The soybean industry depends on the international success of the poultry and egg industry. This is because the diet of poultry is primary soybeans and corn. In fact, fifty percent of soybean meal produced in the U.S. is used as feed for poultry. Out of any use for soybeans, this is the most significant.

As Greg Tyler, Vice President of Marketing at USAPEEC, explained, the poultry industry has experienced ups and downs in the past few years. Countries like China and Russia have intermittently banned U.S. poultry imports due to issues like avian influenza. But regulation changes are much more frequent than this.

With ongoing trade regulations by other countries, it is more important than ever to invest in the international marketing and education about the quality and safety of U.S. poultry that has been raised on a soybean diet.

South Dakota Soybean checkoff dollars fund projects in partnership with USAPEEC to make sure exporters have the most up-to-date information on all trade regulation changes when going into the market.

To keep the soybean industry thriving, it is important to help expand markets that utilize soybeans. This is demonstrated through the partnership between South Dakota Soybean and USAPEEC.

Check back tomorrow for another update from the See For Yourself tour to Atlanta and New Orleans. You can also hear daily updates from Chuck Langner on KWAT and KDLO radio.