News

IL Soybean Association & others investing in livestock

Six Illinois ag groups are coming together to help promote the state’s livestock industry. 

Tim Rendall, domestic markets manager at the Illinois Soybean Association, tells Brownfield the Illinois Livestock Development Group (ILDG) is a win for soybean growers.

“Animal agriculture is soy’s number one customer.”  He says, “Poultry and livestock are the primary consumers of soybean and soybean meal. So, it was a very good fit for the Illinois Soybean Association to invest their checkoff dollars to make sure that that market for soybean meal remains strong.”

Justin Lewis, a former assistant professor at John Wood Community College, has been hired to lead the group’s efforts.  Rendall says…

“And their goal is to look for opportunities for producers to either start new livestock ventures or expand existing livestock ventures.”  He says, “We’re really there as a resource for producers.”

ILDG was first formed in 2003. 

The group is a partnership between the Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Beef Association, Illinois Corn Growers Association, Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Pork Producers Association, and Illinois Milk Producers Association.

AUDIO: Tim Rendall – Illinois Soybean Association