The United Soybean Board recently voted to undertake a market analysis to identify effective models of international marketing. The analysis would be followed up by a request for proposals for the international marketing contractor to carry out the model adopted by the board. A new contract should be ready by October 1, 2010.

USB Chairman Chuck Myers - a soybean farmer from Lyons, Nebraska - says other industries continually adjust, refine and modernize how they service their global customers - and the U.S. soybean industry should be no different. According to Myers - USB should ensure that every soybean checkoff dollar and taxpayer dollar invested in marketing U.S. soybeans is focused on the future.

Last year - the United States exported 1.5-billion bushels of soy - with nearly a third of all U.S. soybean exports going to China. Myers emphasized U.S. soybean farmers need to be better prepared to compete for global markets.