Beyond the Bean Online

Walmart Says Sustainability Makes It More Profitable – and Can Make Farmers More Profitable, Too

reebm — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:00:28 +0000

As senior director of business strategy and sustainability for Walmart, Fred Bedore has become a focal point of the sustainability discussion. Bedore has been busy explaining his company’s approach to just about anyone who asks. In a recent interview with Beyond the Bean, Bedore noted that Walmart and farmers have similar goals: provide safe, sustainable [...]

10 Soybean Farmers to See Checkoff in Action

reebm — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:20:54 +0000

ST. LOUIS (May 21, 2013) – Farmer-leaders of the soy checkoff recently informed 10 U.S. soybean farmers of their selection for the 2013 See for Yourself program, an intensive, weeklong educational experience that helps soybean farmers learn more about their checkoff and industry. “We at the national soy checkoff are thrilled with the interest we’ve [...]

Biodiesel Recognized for Improved Quality

reebm — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:53:18 +0000

Recent U.S. government testing has proven the quality of 100 percent biodiesel. Nearly all U.S. biodiesel tested during recent research by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) met fuel-quality standards. Survey results published by NREL show that 95 percent of B100 samples tested met the American Society for Testing and Materials [...]

Using Biodiesel in Competition Showcases Benefits

reebm — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:44:22 +0000

The soy checkoff has been a pioneer for biodiesel, going back 20 years to when Missouri soybean farmers funded the first biodiesel research through their state checkoff board. Subsequent checkoff-funded research has helped prove biodiesel’s benefits for engine performance. Tractor pulling provides a perfect arena for demonstrating biodiesel’s performance. Tractor pullers are known to push [...]

Checkoff-NTPA Partnership Grows Demand for Biodiesel

reebm — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:57:32 +0000

The partnership between the soy checkoff and the National Tractor Puller’s Association (NTPA) goes back several years. At first, the partnership served as a way for the soy checkoff to promote biodiesel and help make more farmers aware of the fuel and its capabilities. “It’s grown from that to demonstrating and translating the power and [...]

Are You Planting at the Right Depth?

reebm — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:02:46 +0000

Soybean farmers need to be careful about how deep they plant their seeds this growing season because, if not, they may see delayed emergence or even decreased yields, according to the Michigan State University (MSU) Extension. MSU researchers say that generally, soybeans should be planted at shallower depths, between 1 and 1.5 inches deep, under [...]

Pullers Excited for B100

reebm — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:02:38 +0000

Mark Wiederhold, a farmer from Clarksville, Ohio, can’t wait for Friday, May 17 to arrive. This date marks the start of the 2013 National Tractor Puller’s Association (NTPA) season and the first time NTPA will allow the use of B100, or 100 percent biodiesel, in all of its diesel competitions. Wiederhold, who pulls with his [...]

Narrower Rows May Increase Yields

reebm — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:32:11 +0000

As planters and farms grow, some farmers are moving away from narrow rows, but research shows return per acre can be maximized by planting rows narrower than 30 inches. That was one conclusion of a recent soy checkoff-funded study that found row spacing and other agronomic decisions can improve yield more than any spread or [...]

NTPA Clears Pullers to Go All-In on Biodiesel

reebm — Tue, 14 May 2013 22:09:05 +0000

The partnership between tractor pulling and biodiesel has consistently grown step by step over several years. This season that partnership will take a leap forward. For the first time, the National Tractor Puller’s Association (NTPA) is going to allow the use of 100 percent biodiesel, or B100, to fuel tractors in all diesel classes. In [...]

B100 to Fuel Pulling Tractors

reebm — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:15:15 +0000

ST. LOUIS (May 14, 2013) – A partnership between U.S. soybean farmers and the National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA) will reach another milestone Friday when the NTPA begins allowing the use of 100 percent biodiesel, in all diesel pulling classes for this season. This is the seventh season the soy checkoff has partnered with the [...]