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Future challenges for U.S. soybean industry

The CEO of the Iowa Soybean Association says U.S. soy growers face a number of challenges heading into 2025 and beyond.

Kirk Leeds tells Brownfield competition from Brazil isn’t going away anytime soon. “They continue to be not only a major player but actually the largest exporter of soybeans in the world. There’s a lot of land that’s going to come into production. We’re going to face that both short term and longer term.”

He says how consumers view agriculture is another concern. “Particularly modern agriculture and how we produce food in this country. For those who are able to afford the high-quality food and now have time and concerns on their mind about where that food comes from. Issues related to traceability and safety and sustainability are going to continue to be a growing concern.”

Leeds says will also need to stay up-to-date on consumer, technology, and regulatory changes.