As the demand for U.S. soy food beans continues to rise significantly, food-grade soybeans have become an increasingly valuable crop for U.S. farmers and exporters.  In response, soy food bean exporters are targeting Minnesota soybean growers in an attempt to get more farmers to start growing these premium, value-added beans.
The Midwest Shippers Association (MSA) and Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) have sponsored a pair of Producer Optimization Dialog (POD) meetings for Minnesota and Red River Valley area soybean growers and exporters.  These free, full-day seminars, hosted by the MSGA, are aimed at teaching farmers the practical details of growing special trait, identity preserved (IP) soybeans and helping them to explore the potential to increase their profit by producing specialty soybeans for expanding demand and export markets.
The first meeting was held in North Mankato, Minn. on July 31 and the next will be held on August 19 in Moorhead, Minn.  Workshop topics include domestic and international markets; seed selection; production, including herbicides, insecticides and pesticides; crop insurance; contracts; certification; and storage, management and transportation.