Missouri Soybean leader goes the extra mile--and a whole lot more.

More than living up to his home state's famous motto "Show Me," NAMA's 2007 Agribusiness Leader of the Year Dale Ludwig's personal motto should be "Git 'Er Done!"

That is exactly what he has been doing for the farmer-members of the two organizations for which he is the Executive Director/CEO, the Missouri Soybean Association and the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, both headquartered in Jefferson City, MO.

When one thinks of major soybean states, Missouri does not normally come to mind. In fact, it only ranks as the nation's 13th largest producer. But, through the successful development and implementation of innovative projects, and despite limited resources, Ludwig and his organization have made the state and its activities the envy of the soybean industry.

Neil Caskey, Director of Government Business with Osborn & Barr Communications, and most recently with the American Soybean Association, both located in St. Louis, MO, nominated Ludwig for the award. When asked why he chose to nominate him, Caskey reports, "I've had the pleasure of working with many leaders. Dale's vision, action and accomplishments are unmatched and clearly deserve this type of recognition.

"I first met Dale when I worked on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and his passion for agriculture was immediately apparent to me. Since then, I have watched as he has positively impacted the industry he loves. From growing the biodiesel industry to protecting animal agriculture, Dale is a tireless advocate of Missouri soybeans and the members he represents."

In addition to leading the Association and Merchandising Council's regular activities, (see sidebar), Ludwig and his staff have initiated and successfully developed ten value-added enterprises which are generating over $100 million dollars in gross revenues and creating more than 100 new jobs, (see accompanying article, page 8) and has positioned the state as the leader in biodiesel production and biotechnology research.

VALUE ADDED 

"When I began my career, I had the opportunity to work with great people who knew how to sell and get things done," Ludwig says. "Later in my career, I learned how to think strategically, as opposed to focusing strictly on tasks. That shaped my whole concept of creating programs on behalf of our farmer members to help them capture additional value as their products moved upstream."

One example is Biofuels, LLC, a cooperative that is majority-owner in a joint venture for the production of biodiesel. The biodiesel plant,

Mid-America Biofuels, LLC (MAB) is located in Mexico, MO, has a production capacity of 30 million gallons-per-year. Owners include 372 farmers and Archer Daniel Midlands (ADM). Growmark and MFA, other legendary companies in the agribusiness sector, distribute the biodiesel the plant produces.

The plant is located next to an existing ADM soybean processing plant. "That location gives MAB a distinct cost competitive advantage," Ludwig reports, "because product can be transported via pipe, versus much more costly truck or rail.

"The MAB business model provides a new, steady market for soybean producers," Ludwig says, "and an opportunity for farmer-investors to share in the financial success from the biodiesel that it produces.

"By understanding the competition, how our products fit, and how they can be priced, we can create an environment of obtaining a premium price, even in a commodity industry."

HOMEWORK

But long before the first dirt was moved to build MAB, Ludwig had set the stage for its development and success.

In 2003, he took to the national stage and helped convince Congress to pass the biodiesel tax credit, a federal incentive that has been a key driver to the development of that industry. The biodiesel tax incentive gives one cent per percentage point of first-use biodiesel to the fuel blender. First-use biodiesel includes soybean oil or any other virgin non-recycled oil. A gallon of B20, for example, will give the blender 20 cents.

In addition, Ludwig's relentless support for biotechnology led to the cooperation between USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and private institutions, such as the Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO, to create a new paradigm of synergy in the plant-based biotechnology arena.

Specifically with regards to biotechnology, Ludwig assisted in the development of the United Soybean Board's (USB) Qualisoy project and was the first member of its Board of Directors. Qualisoy is an industry-wide initiative to transform the U.S. commodity soybean with better traits, such as low linolenic acid, in an effort to combat the trans fat issue with hydrogenated soybean oil.

"In addition to low-lin, we also thought it would be a good idea to discuss what the largest users of soybeans--the livestock industry--wanted from our product," Ludwig explains. It turned out that all were looking for a higher protein meal, so Qualisoy funded research to develop a better bean at several universities.

BIOTECHNOLOGY

Thanks to Ludwig's work, the state of Missouri is emerging as the epicenter of soybean and biotechnology research.

"We needed a place for all disciplines including agronomists, plant breeders, engineers, animal nutritionists and others that were working with soybeans to meet and share the results of their work," Ludwig explains. "In addition, we saw a need for them to cooperate on their research."

So, in 2004 the National Center for Soybean Biotechnology (NCSB), was formed and located within the Bond LifeScience Center, housed on the MU campus. Half of the funds for NCSB are from the federal government with the balance from the state of Missouri and private donors.

The ultimate goal of the NCSB is to provide innovative molecular approaches that can be applied toward soybean improvement.

The NCSB is a collaborative program among scientists at the MU, USDA-ARS Plant Genetics Unit in Columbia, and the Danforth Plant Science Center. There are currently more than 40 researchers working together that have expertise in diverse fields including agronomy, microbiology and plant pathology, chemistry, biochemistry, animal science, food science, molecular biology, engineering, computer science, and agricultural economics.

Projects significant progress is being made on are:

* Cyst nematode resistance

* Asian soybean rust 

* Drought tolerance 

* Oil and protein composition

To continue to support NCSB's efforts, the Merchandising Council funds four endowed chairs annually.

LOOKING AHEAD

"I realize there is quite a discussion going on about our crops being used as food or fuel," Ludwig says. "I don't think feeding ourselves will be a challenge."

However, he is concerned about the aging U.S. population and the important role that soybeans can have in their health. "I think it is much more beneficial to help prevent disease, rather than pay the high cost of treating it," Ludwig says.

He says soybeans can be a major part of the solution. "We need to identify the compounds in soybeans that we can control their expression to create products that are more nutritious, provide health benefits and are more efficient in making fuel."

As far as the associations for which he is responsible, he says, "We certainly need to be active on an international basis to protect our export business, as well as on a national basis to continue the biofuels momentum.

"But, we need to make sure we are taking care of business at home, first." Ludwig continues, "We need to focus on the successful execution projects we have started and are on the drawing board. After all, when it comes down to it, you can have the best plan, but unless you execute it properly, that's all that it was--merely a plan."

One area he is especially hopeful about is breaking through the seemingly glass ceiling of stagnant soybean yields. He is especially proud of his own state's Kip Cullers, who changed soybean producers' mindsets last year when he established a world record crop of 139+ bushels/acre. For comparison, the average soybean yield in the state last year was 38 bushels/acre.

"I'm afraid that soybean yield research is 30 years behind that of corn," Ludwig observes. "But Kip's record last year shows what can be done with the technology that we currently have on hand."

"I am completely honored and humbled to receive the AgriBusiness Leader of the Year award," Ludwig says. "Early in my career, I watched others being named and they became an inspiration. I never dreamed that one day I would be selected.

"It's like being a 4th grader imagining being the outfielder in the seventh game of the World Series, making the flying leap, and catching the last out to win the Championship.

"I am especially appreciative of the organization's farmer-leaders and members, my staff, and all of our other partners who have provided me the opportunity and support to make these projects happen.

"But I also see it as a challenge to accomplish even more to prove that I truly deserve the award. It motivates me to do even better."

In other words, this accomplished son of Missouri is going to continue to Show Us!

Lynn Henderson, Editorial Director

LUDWIG'S CAREER

Raised on a dairy farm near Oak Ridge, MO. A southeast Missouri community that also has produced Ludwig's contemporary, six term Congressman Kenny Hulshof (R-MO).

1974 Missouri state 4-H President.

1979 Graduate of Univ. of Missouri (MU) with degrees in animal science and agricultural economics.

1979 Joins Monsanto as trainee in field sales in Kansas, assigned to territory in eastern Missouri where he is named Master Salesman for his successes with such products as Lasso and Roundup.

1987 Promoted to Monsanto's St. Louis headquarters, where he is involved in the launch of the bST dairy hormone. At his first dairy producer meeting to introduce the product in Wisconsin, is greeted with the sign "Monsanto Go Home."

1989 Promoted to training coordinator for Monsanto's agricultural employees.

1991 Joins Cargill's Nutrena Feed group as District Sales Manager overseeing its southern Illinois business unit.

1993 Named to his current position.

Other achievements

* Currently serves on Sen. Kit Bond's (R-MO) Agriculture Advisory Board, VP of the Missouri Biotechnology Association, Chairman of the Missouri 4-H Foundation, and board member of the Missouri Agriculture Future of America (AFA) Coalition.

* Past President of the MU Alumni Association, the St. Louis Agri-Business Club, MU Ag Alumni Assoc., founder of the Missouri FFA Leadership Fund, and past board member of the Missouri Ag Leadership of Tomorrow (ALOT) program, and Missouri Ag Research Council.

* First-ever recipient of the "MU Tiger Pride Award," named MU "Alumnus of the Year" and St. Louis Ag-Business Club's "Ag Leader of the Year." Received honorary degree from the National FFA organization.

* Married to Rhonda Ludwig, a National Accounts Manager for Farm Progress Companies. They have three children: Trent, Claire and Troy.

* Owns and operates farms in southeast and central Missouri and a herd of purebred Herefords.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONS

MISSOURI SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION

Every year more and more laws impact agriculture. That's why the Missouri Soybean Association (MSA), a statewide membership organization, provides a collective voice in representing interests specific to the Missouri soybean producer. This is done through legislative advocacy, influencing public policy and communication/education for its members in order to increase profitability for Missouri soybean farmers.

The MSA is a grassroots organization, with 16 farmers from seven districts serving as the board of directors. Each director serves voluntarily without pay and is elected by MSA members from his/her respective district to serve three-year terms. The board of directors is in charge of all lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C., and in Jefferson City to ensure that Missouri soybean producers are represented with a strong and unified voice.

The MSA was established as a not-for-profit organization on February 1, 1996. Any Missouri soybean farmer is eligible to participate in the MSA. Each member is required to pay yearly dues to belong to the organization. Membership dues are the only source of financing that guarantee issues facing soybean farmers are brought to the attention of lawmakers.

MISSOURI SOYBEAN MERCHANDISING COUNCIL

The soybean checkoff program began in Missouri in 1979 as a way for soybean producers to pool their resources to promote their product. Through "checking off" soybean farmers contribute one-half of one percent of their net receipts for the commodity to fund a variety of projects aimed at increasing the profitability of soybean farming. Half of all checkoff dollars collected in Missouri remain in the state and are controlled by the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council (MSMC).

The MSMC is a producer-run organization, with 13 farmer-directors overseeing the investment of 50% of Missouri's checkoff dollars. The directors are volunteers and are elected to represent their district serving three-year terms. The United Soybean Board (USB) directs the other 50% of Missouri's soybean checkoff dollars. The MSMC nominates three Missouri producers to sit on the 70-member USB board of directors.

By law, there are only certain areas where soybean checkoff dollars may be spent. Soybean checkoff activities must fit into one of the following categories: research, producer communication, industry information, consumer information or promotion. MSMC was one of the first state checkoff boards to devote funding to biodiesel research and it continues to fund research projects that will improve soybean producers' profitability.

MSA and MSMC are coordinated through a shared, full-time staff based in Jefferson City, MO.