Benson farmer Patrick O’Leary, a director with the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, was tabbed to chair Northern Soy Marketing for a second year during the board’s June meeting in Fargo, N.D.

NSM, a coalition of soybean checkoff boards comprised of Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota, met to set direction and priorities for the upcoming fiscal year and hold board elections.

“NSM has made great strides over the years, and I’m proud to lead this talented board for another year,” said O’Leary, who also served as Council chair for two years. “We look forward to promoting high quality, northern grown soybeans to our customers.”

South Dakota Soybean Checkoff Director Mike McCranie from Claremont, S.D., was elected vice chair for a second year.

“We have a veteran board who understands the challenges of marketing northern grown soybeans to international customers,” McCranie said. “We know the value of our soybeans we’re sending to the Pacific Northwest, and we need to continue to reach and grow markets that understand this value, too.”

North Dakota Soybean Council Director Dan Spiekermeier from Sheldon, N.D. was elected secretary/treasurer.

“In a sea of messages, it is important for us to make the parts of the world seeking protein for animal and human use aware of the high-quality soybeans we have to offer,” Spiekermeier said. “I think it is equally as important we remember to promote the U.S. farmer and the care and consideration that goes into producing high-quality crops.”

About Northern Soy Marketing, LLC
Northern Soy Marketing, LLC (NSM) is a farmer-led board formed by the soybean checkoff boards of Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. The board invests grower checkoff funds to conduct research on soybean quality and Critical Amino Acid Value (CAAV) levels in northern-grown soybeans and funds outreach to buyers around the world. The outreach sessions are conducted in countries and regions where U.S. soybeans and soybean meal are purchased. The sessions teach buyers to look at CAAV as a complete assessment of soybean quality rather than just looking at crude protein levels.