(From left to right): Ted McKinney, USDA under secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs, talks with ASA CEO Ryan Findlay during this week's ASAAP meeting in Washington, D.C.

Members of the American Soybean Association (ASA) Action Partnership (ASAAP) met in Washington, D.C. this week for discussion focused on trade and market access.

Special guest, Ted McKinney, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs, provided valuable insights and information during his dinner presentation. The meeting also included a session on U.S. Soybean Competition – What are we not thinking about? which focused on Chinese investment in infrastructure throughout Asia and Latin America and its potential impact on agriculture.

The meeting also included a presentation from United Soybean Board (USB) Director Meagan Kaiser (MO) on sustainability and the value of the soybean checkoff. The meeting concluded with ASAAP members also engaged in industry dialogue and updates.

The ASA Action Partnership (ASAAP) is a collaborative effort of all soybean industry sectors with a stake in the growth and profitability of the industry. The forum provides the opportunity for ASA’s state affiliates, state and national checkoff organizations, industry partners and national grower leaders to engage in critical industry focused dialogue.

The D.C. meeting is one of two annual meetings of the group.The next meeting is Aug. 21 – 24, 2018.

For more information about ASAAP and its members, please click here.