Update From MPSB Chairman - Jimmy Sneed
MSPB Chairman
On December 4th & 5th I attended the sixth biennial CONNECTIONS meeting sponsored by the soy checkoff. The CONNECTIONS meeting aims to identify the most important issues facing the soy industry in the next 5 years and discuss strategies to address these issues. The structure of CONNECTIONS 2012 reflected the four pillars of the United Soybean Board (USB) strategic plan: meal, oil, freedom to operate and customer focus.
Over the course of the two-day meeting, more than 350 soy industry leaders from the entire soy value chain heard from experts, held discussions and prioritized strategies to maximize profit opportunities for U.S. soybean farmers.
I think most farmers think of themselves as consumers of inputs instead of producers of supply. As farmers we must start to change our approach to our product. Instead of focusing on strictly on yield, we should consider our customers and their needs when we grow soybeans. The soybean end products of meal and oil are critical and front and center in the soy checkoff’s strategic plan.
This in no way minimizes the importance of yield but we must consider the reality of the market place. Even though we sell our beans based on yield, customers of U.S. soy buy the components of the bean, the protein and oil. Our objective as farmers is to capture the maximum value out of what we grow. The new structure of USB focuses on the components of soybeans, with the aim to make U.S. soy the world quality leader.
Just as the organizations that represent you plan for the year ahead, each of you are doing the same. Please be aware that the Mississippi Soybean Promotion Board (MSPB) website first and foremost is designed to be your resource for soybean production information. Results from MSPB funded production research, MAFES and MCES information, and other production information is available to you on this site.
Lastly, I want say it has been a privilege to serve as MSPB Chairman for the last two years. Thank you for the opportunity.
Jimmy Sneed
jsneed.usb@gmail.com