Soybean Innovation Tour spotlights demand-building companies and institutions
June 4, 2024
South Dakota Soybean is showcasing new technologies and companies that are creating value during its Soybean Innovation Tour this month.
“Anyone that’s really interested in agriculture we’re inviting to come on a bus tour to learn about technology,” said Jerry Schmitz, executive director of South Dakota Soybean. Tour stops include Houdek, a company that manufactures aquaculture feed, pet foods, and human health market ingredients using South Dakota soybeans. Additional tour stops are planned at Raven, as well as SDSU’s POET Bioproducts Center, an innovative space dedicated to researching and developing bio-based materials and animal feeds.
It’s important that farmers and others see for themselves what the future might hold for soybean and soy product demand, according to Schmitz.
“Farmers are great at coming up with ideas and concepts,” said Schmitz, in his Sioux Falls office, “and if we can show them what’s taking place at South Dakota State or at the bioproducts facility, they might come up with some ideas that we can look into for research in the future.”
With tour stops shining a spotlight on facilities that strengthen soybean demand, Schmitz said the day’s focus will be on ways the soybean checkoff benefits those who invest in it.
“The checkoff is always looking for what they can do for the future to create demand for farmers, not only that but research to assist farmers in producing soybeans,” he said. “And so, if we can bring them to an area where they can see how the future’s developing and maybe pick their brain a little bit about how they can help to develop the future, it benefits all the farmers.”
Anyone interested in going on the tour can sign up at SDSoybean.org.
“Go to the bottom of the page and you’ll see June 17th, the bus tour. It is free; it is paid for by the South Dakota Soybean Checkoff and there’s a meal in there as well,” added Schmitz. “The tour will leave from the South Dakota Soybean office, which is at 5000 Broadband Lane in Sioux Falls, about 8:30 on June 17th.”