Checkoff dollars have a long lifespan that cross the globe. But often, those investments that help grow demand for soy start at home.  

“It’s so important that we connect the dots and encourage and support growth in our industry,” said Andy Bensend, vice president of the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board (WSMB).  

On Aug. 6, directors from the Wisconsin Soybean Program traveled to three spots in and near Milwaukee to learn more about export opportunities from Port Milwaukee, along with a look inside a soybean processing plant. 

WSMB Director Kevin Bork, who farms in Grand Marsh, found the first day of WSMB’s inaugural See For Yourself (SFY) tour enlightening.  

“It was a great experience with our board learning about how our checkoff dollars work throughout the supply chain,” Bork said. “We have a board with a lot of knowledge of how connected our industry is.”  

The tour braved a rainy and windy morning to venture to Port Milwaukee for a visit with Director Jackie Q. Carter. The tour came on the heels of a meeting at the port the previous week with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. The port, Carter explained, is broken into its commercial side, which handles goods and commodities, and its recreation space, which includes restaurants and events.  

“We’re creating awareness of what the port is and what we do because it’s most relatable to the general public,” Carter said.   

The port, which generates about $156 million in economic activity yearly, handles liquid bulk along with dry goods. WSMB is working toward shipping more of the state’s soybeans via the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System to countries in North Africa and Northern Europe.  

“Soymeal has to find new markets, so we’ve had our eyes on the Great Lakes for some time and we were really thrilled to support the Port of Milwaukee,” said Bensend, who represents Wisconsin on the Soy Transportation Coalition (STC). “We will continue to look for additional places that can have a direct impact on the ag sector, specifically soybeans.”  

The tour then stopped by The DeLong Co.’s Ag Maritime Export Facility. Through checkoff investments via the STC, WSMB has supported the development of the terminal, which opened in 2023 and was recently awarded a $9-million grant from the Department of Transportation for its second phase. Last year, the terminal sent its first vessel of soymeal to the U.K. and has the infrastructure to send commodities to North Europe, Morocco and the western Mediterranean.  

“There’s a lot of opportunity here for soymeal,” said Brian Arnold, The DeLong Co.’s senior export trader. “With the growth of the soy crushing industry, this facility provides a unique opportunity within the region.”  

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has estimated the DeLong terminal will generate $63 million in new statewide economic impact annually, increasing exports through Port Milwaukee by as much as 400,000 metric tons per year. Currently, dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGs) are the primary goods shipped out from the terminal.  

“So far, it’s been very successful,” Arnold said.  

WSMB leaders said they’re excited by the growth potential that CHS’ proposed crush facility in Evansville would provide to the region’s farm economy.  

“We need all the markets we can find to support a better basis and move our products,” WSMB President Pat Mullooly said.  

Quality counts 

The final stop of the day brought the delegation north to Valders, headquarters of Quality Roasting. In 2024, WSMB sponsored a feeding trial with Quality Roasting on using high oleic soymeal in dairy rations. In Wisconsin, a majority of soymeal is used for dairy feed, and Quality Roasting processes soybeans produced within a 200-mile radius.  

“Our whole business model is, we crush for the meal,” CEO Scott Robb said. “Right now, we see only upside with it.”  

Quality Roasting supports multiple locations in Wisconsin and Illinois and is currently building a new plant 10 miles from Valders. The family-owned company also produces high-quality soybean oil.  

“We had a great first day visiting with stakeholders across the value chain,” Mullooly said.  

The tour continues Aug. 7 with visits to Joliet, Illinois, where the group will visit the Brandon Lock and Dam and the DeLong’s Co. export container facility.