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Enhancing trade relationships a priority for American Soybean Association

An Indiana soybean farmer and American Soybean Association director says enhancing trade relationships is one of the top priorities for the association.

Joe Steinkamp says trade means jobs – not just jobs in Rural American but all the way down the supply chain.  “There are people that are exporting our beans and moving our beans up and down the river, and across the lakes and across the land,” he says.  “We’re definitely positive trade and we hope our new administration works with us on trade.  If we’re not going to do multi-lateral trade agreements than we’ve got to get rocking and rolling on the bilateral trade agreements.”

Brad Kremer of Wisconsin says an investment in trade is an investment in the US economy.  “Every dollar that is invested in trade returns $1.27,” he says.  “That’s a solid return on investment.  And you look at every million dollars spent, that creates roughly 6,600 jobs.  Those are real numbers that translate in Rural America.”

Missouri farmer Brooks Hurst says he’d like to see the global demand for US soybeans continue to grow.  “Any market, existing or new is good for soybean grower – just to have another place to go with our crop,” he says.  “Any trade relationship we can further – would be good.”

More than 60 percent of US soybeans and soybean products are exported.

The group spoke with Brownfield on the American Soybean Association stage at the recent Commodity Classic.