Indiana Soybean Alliance update

INDIANAPOLIS — From awards to an optimistic outlook for high oleic soybeans, Indiana Soybean Alliance already has a lot to celebrate this year.

The organization shared an update on the latest good news.

Here are the top takeaways:

PoreShield Award

The ISA received a 2021 Indiana Department of Environmental Management Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence in the Pollution Prevention category.

The award recognizes ISA for its work in developing PoreShield, soy-based concrete durability enhancer that benefits the environment and Indiana economy.

Heartland Whiskey Competition

Cardinal Spirits in Monroe County won Best in State at the 2021 Heartland Whiskey Competition with its Straight Rye Whiskey. Indiana Corn Marketing Council was the sponsoring organization for the biennial event.

Cardinal Spirits makes craft vodkas, gins, rums, liqueurs and canned cocktails and distributes them across 12 states and Washington, D.C.

“There’s no doubt that Indiana corn gives our spirits memorable character, sip after sip, whether it’s the flavorful star of a bourbon or the versatile base for a gin,” said Cardinal Spirits co-founder Jeff Wuslich.

“We search far and wide for the best ingredients to make our spirits, and we’re lucky that when it comes to corn, the best is right here in Indiana.”

High Oleic Beans

Farmers in Indiana can take advantage of the increasing and stable demand of high oleic soybean oil by growing high oleic soybeans in the 2022 growing season, according to ISA.

High oleic soybeans brought an average premium of 50 to 99 cents per bushel, depending on the acreage grown and other factors, versus commodity soybeans last season.

Locking in contracts like those available for high oleic can safeguard profits. Farmers won’t have to worry about storing any high oleic beans next season.

“The benefits of high oleic soybean oil intrigued us,” said Walton farmer Kevin Wilson, a director on the United Soybean Board.

“High oleic soybeans diversify our crop portfolio and spread risk a bit without much management change. The premium is worth the minimal effort needed to clean planting and harvesting equipment between his commodity and high oleic soybeans.”

Farmers in 2021 planted about 600,000 acres of high oleic soybeans in 13 states. To meet food processors’ demand, which the soy checkoff is focused on building, the goal for 2022 is 1.1 million acres.

For more information about the Indiana Soybean Alliance, visit www.indianasoybean.com.