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Demand is one of the top priorities for Indiana soybean growers

The newly elected chairman of the Indiana Soybean Alliance says looking ahead, the organization has one big goal. 

Northeast Indiana farmer Tom Griffiths says they want to create demand and ultimately increase the value of soybeans.  

He tells Brownfield the global market is impacting the profitability of Indiana farmers.  “With all the trade negotiations going on – exports of soybeans as well as meat products are creating volatility,” he says.  “If some of these markets get closed that will have a dramatic effect on the price of the commodities and we need to keep these markets open.”

Griffiths says farmers are price takers and with lower  commodity prices, Indiana farmers are worried about protecting their safety net.  “Our administration currently is disturbing a lot of those trade negotiations that has been in place for a long time,” he says.  “And at the same time wanting to lessen our crop insurance.  The two don’t go hand in hand.  They have got to do something different out there.”

The ISA Board of Directors also welcomed three new farmer directors to the board: Nancy Cline of Kirklin representing District 1; Mike Koehne of Greensburg representing District 4; and Phil Ramsey of Shelbyville representing District 4.

AUDIO: Tom Griffiths, Indiana Soybean Alliance Chairman