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Ag groups team up for sustainability research

The National Pork Board, United Soybean Board, and National Corn Growers Association are teaming up on a sustainability research platform that will benefit farmers from all three organizations.

The three organizations made the announcement and signed a memorandum of understanding during the 2018 NAFB Convention in Kansas City.

Polly Ruhland, the CEO of the United Soybean Board, says the groups have similar sustainability goals and will work together as to not duplicate research.

“We have to do a better job at understanding that we’re all in this together and this MOU is the first step toward that,” she says.

Audio: Polly Ruhland, United Soybean Board

The program will include sharing completed and planned research and increasing education to motivate farmers to adopt conservation practices that will improve the environment AND farm profitably.

Steve Rommereim, a pig farmer from South Dakota, is the president of the National Pork Board.

“If we can improve our environment that much more and raise the standard, raise the bar, it’s going to be good for ag production as a whole,” he says.

Audio: Steve Rommereim, National Pork Board

NCGA president Lynn Chrisp says the research will also help farmers communicate to consumers that they are using sound practices on their farm.

“We are utilizing our inputs so that we have a minimum impact on the environment,” he says.

Audio: Lynn Chrisp, National Association of Corn Growers 

Next steps include a task force of farmer representatives from NCGA, USB, and NPB to manage activities outlined in the MOU and track progress.