Soybean growers ask for help

With forecasts predicting a dismal financial year ahead for soybean growers, leaders of the Iowa Soybean Association are meeting with the state’sCongressional delegation this afternoon. I-S-A president Dennis Friest says a U-S-D-A report last week estimated soybean prices will hit a 12-yearlow this year. Friest and other farmer-leaders are meeting individually with both of Iowa’s U-S Senators and all five Representatives. Friest says he wants to hear from the elected officials what financial help may be coming — like federal crop insurance and better foreign trade deals. IowaCongressman Tom Latham says he’ll talk with the I-S-A delegates about the price situation and what needs to be done in the future to expand trade.Latham says he’s frustrated by the actions of U-S-D-A officials. Ethanol is made from corn & is subject of numerous tax credits and incentive programs. Bio-diesel is made with soybeans, and according to Friest, doesn’t get anywhere near the attention of ethanol. Friest wants to see that change. He says a bio-diesel bill did get okayed in Congress last fall. Iowa is the nation’s top producer of both corn and soybeans. Friest grows soybeans near Radcliffe in north-central Iowa’s Hardin County.