Quincy protein program begins sign up January 12

Quincy area soybean growers can take advantage of a unique opportunity to participate and earn premium prices for their 2004 crop. Sign up for the program begins Monday, January 12 online at www.ilsoy.org.

The Illinois Soybean Protein Improvement Program is a pilot program co-sponsored by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff Board and soybean processor Archer Daniels Midland (ADM). It’s designed to help Illinois farmers meet the growing demand for soybeans with increased protein quality and high levels of oil.

Participating farmers may choose from a suggested list or produce any variety they feel will reach the protein and oil requirements, and deliver the harvested beans to the ADM processing plant in Quincy, where each load will be tested. Farmers can earn a premium of up to 6 cents for every bushel that meets the targeted levels for protein and oil content.

The program is open to soybean farmers in the Quincy area and is limited to farms in Illinois.

Advance registration is required to participate in the program. Farmers can enroll online through the Illinois Soybean Checkoff Board website – www.ilsoy.org -- beginning January 12 through March 1. Enrollment will be closed when applications reach the maximum of 20,000 acres. The program will be paid separately from the grain price and must be delivered before November 30.

The web site also includes information on program requirements and recommended varieties. Farmers can do a more detailed variety comparison by consulting the Varietal Information Program for Soybeans (VIPS) database at www.vipsoybeans.org.

More information is available from Judd Hulting at the Illinois Soybean Checkoff Board at (309) 663-7692, or Mark Sprague at ADM at (800) 448-7692.