QUALISOY Announces 2009 Board Members and Yearly Objectives

"The QUALISOY Board provides farmer-leaders like me a unique opportunity to gain insight and work in partnership with the industry in identifying traits that will benefit the feed and food markets.

16/03/09 QUALISOY, a soybean industry initiative charged with helping to bring to market trait-enhanced soybeans that produce healthier, more functional soybean oil and meal products, has announced its board members and yearly objectives for 2009. QUALISOY's board members help lead the drive to assure the global competitiveness of soy in the United States. Pioneer VP of Crop Product Development Dennis Byron, PhD, a member of the board since its start in 2004, was elected as Chairman of the Board for 2009.

"I look forward to leading the QUALISOY board this year as we work to increase consumer awareness of the health benefits of soybean oil; reduce the environmental impacts of livestock production through improved soybean meal; and position QUALISOY as an expert resource across the industry," says Byron. "Everyone on this board has a stake in the global competitiveness of the U.S. soybean industry, and I am excited to work with such a diverse, dedicated group of industry representatives."

At the January 30 QUALISOY Board meeting, the 2009 executive committee was announced:

* Chairman -- Dennis Byron, PhD; VP, Crop Product Development, Pioneer
* Vice Chairman -- Victor Bohuslavsky; Executive Director, Nebraska Soybean Board
* Secretary/Treasurer -- John Jansen; VP, Product and Process Development, Bunge
* Member-at-Large -- Ken Dalenberg; Director, United Soybean Board
* CEO -- John Becherer; CEO, United Soybean Board
* Immediate Past Chairman -- Greg Anderson; past chairman, United Soybean Board

"The QUALISOY Board provides farmer-leaders like me a unique opportunity to gain insight and work in partnership with the industry in identifying traits that will benefit the feed and food markets. Through partnerships with seed companies and processors we have been able to ensure farmers receive premiums for value enhanced soybeans such as low-linolenic soybeans," says Jim Stillman, a farmer from Emmetsburg, Iowa, and a QUALISOY Board director. "This trait is estimated to have preserved more than $700 million in revenue for soybean farmers since coming onto the market and we are expecting similar results from traits such as high-oleic and mid-oleic/low-saturate soybeans coming down the soybean pipeline."

At the meeting, the board achieved these yearly objectives:

* Reviewed and approved 2009 tactical direction
* Elected 2009 officers
* Discussed the impact of new trait introductions
* Approved 2009 budget