American Soybean Association industry partners look ahead to critical policy issues in 2024 and discuss how their partnerships with ASA bring value to advocacy efforts.  

Bayer Crop Science North America, Jackie Applegate, President  

Bayer is dedicated to supporting farmers on and off the field—including advocacy on behalf of their interests. We are proud to partner with ASA, a powerhouse in ag policy advocacy, to champion the needs of American farmers in the halls of Congress, in statehouses, with regulatory authorities, and beyond. ASA leads on many issues that affect farmers’ businesses and the value chain’s ability to deliver the food, feed, fiber, and fuel that Americans rely on—and we are grateful for their steadfast dedication and strong track record for success.   

We anticipate continued efforts to limit or restrict access to technologies farmers need to run their operations productively and sustainably, particularly pesticides, in 2024. Advocacy related to a workable approach to the Endangered Species Act, the Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act, and policy initiatives at the state level will continue to need our collective attention. We advocate for an open-minded debate, science-based policy, and efficient regulatory systems that enable innovative solutions to strengthen farm economies. Bayer is committed to advancing dialogue to foster trust and help society understand the value of modern agriculture innovation.  

ADM, Bryan Dierlam, Director of Government Relations 

ADM appreciates the opportunity to work with ASA and our nation’s soybean growers on public policy issues that protect and enhance the livelihood of soybean farmers, create new markets and new uses for soybeans and soy products, and find new customers at home and abroad for these products. On a regular and routine basis, members of ADM’s federal and state government relations team coordinate and collaborate with ASA personnel and leaders on policies of mutual interest. These relationships lead to progress on the policy front that advance growth and success for the entire soy industry.  

Some of the policy issues and shared priorities include the following:      

• Trade: ADM exports soy and soy products around the world to our global customers. Growing sales opportunities to current, new and emerging customers is a top priority for ADM. This is the key reason ADM supports expansion of the Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development program in the pending farm bill.  
• Biofuels: We have long engaged on a stronger, more robust Renewable Fuel Standard and the biodiesel tax credit. As that credit transitions to the Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit, and with the advent of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, we certainly have policy issues to continue addressing together in Washington, D.C., and state capitals.  
• Sustainability and Conservation:  We have long supported USDA conservation efforts that are voluntary and producer-led so farmers have access to programs that recognize the critical role that conservation plays in food production.  
• Transportation and Infrastructure:  ADM supports the repair, rehabilitation and reconstruction of our nation’s aging inland lock and dam system. We also support funding for the Army Corps of Engineers to regularly dredge our rivers, channels and ports to make certain our vessels and barges can move soybeans to market.  
• Animal Agriculture:  We support expanded exports for animal protein, which benefits soy farmers because of the consumption of soy in the animals’ diets.  
• Biobased Products: ADM’s research team is continually looking for ways to incorporate soy-based ingredients into new products. This is why ADM supports expansion of USDA’s Bio-preferred program and biobased research in the pending farm bill.  
• Food Aid: We support U.S agriculture products like soy being a part of USDA and USAID Food Aid programs and have worked with ASA to support Food Aid in the farm bill and throughout the agriculture appropriations process.  

These are the many priority issues ADM has in common with ASA’s farmer members and why we are proud of our support and value our continued collaboration.  

Nutrien, Renée Munasifi, Director of Global Government & Industry Affairs 

In 2024, passing a new five-year farm bill will be critically important to maintaining a strong safety net for our U.S. farmer customers and those who depend on the food they provide.  

At Nutrien, we appreciate the opportunity to partner with the American Soybean Association in supporting policy initiatives, like adding potash and phosphate to the critical minerals list, that bolster the U.S. agriculture industry and global food security. 

Corteva Agriscience, Karis Gutter, North America Government & Industry Affairs Leader 

ASA is among the most respected and effective advocacy groups in agriculture today. Its farmer leadership and staff are well known and instrumental—at the state, federal and international levels—when it comes to driving policies to improve farmer productivity, sustainability, and profitability. Corteva Agriscience has long been fortunate to work closely with ASA to ensure farmers have access to the latest tools and innovations to address the new and emerging challenges they face on their farms. We look forward to continuing to build on this relationship into the future.   

• Even with the recent extension of the farm bill, the work to maintain and improve this important legislation will be front and center through most of 2024. Carrying out that work in an election year will pose additional challenges requiring strong collaboration from all parts of the agriculture industry.  
• New breeding technologies like gene editing offer amazing promise for seed productivity and plant health, with benefits extending to farmers, consumers, and the environment. Working with farmers and international trading partners to clarify and align on science-based regulations will be critical to bringing the newest tools to farmers.  
• Input suppliers and farmer organizations have been weighing in with EPA about needed revisions to its recently proposed strategies to address the Endangered Species Act. This advocacy issue will be front and center throughout 2024 to ensure farmers are able to remain productive and profitable while complying with ESA regulations.  

Nobell Foods, Magi Richani, Founder & CEO 

Nobell's collaboration with ASA has been extremely valuable. Nobell is developing innovative traits in soybeans, and we have been able to leverage the regulatory expertise that ASA's Government Affairs team brings to the table. The team at ASA has spent time getting to know Nobell and its priorities, and their proactive approach to addressing those priorities on the Hill has been very valuable to our progress. ASA has also been a great partner in crafting and conveying Nobell's story effectively.  

Beyond the Government Affairs team, the insights shared with Nobell from ASA's grower leaders have played a vital role in ensuring that we are able to maintain our commitment to a "grower-first" mentality as we build our business, supply chain, and R&D pipeline.  

Looking ahead to 2024, the most critical issue for Nobell is ensuring that the U.S. regulatory system for innovative biotech traits is science-based, consistent and efficient. It is critical for all U.S.-based developers and growers to ensure that the U.S. regulatory system remains one of the most competitive in the world so that innovation stays in the United States, and so that U.S. growers are reaping the benefits of that innovation.  

In 2024, it will also be critical for key legislation to be renewed and passed that supports growers and fosters climate-friendly agricultural practices.