A 2013 Survey Of Soybean Producer Attitudes for the United Soybean Board 1

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Methodology The Tarrance Group completed a telephone survey of U.S. soybean farmers nationally on behalf of the United Soybean Board. N=1,003 soybean farmers throughout the United States –Additional oversample interviews included N=100 farmers in the South region, N=178 Illinois farmers, N=221 Indiana farmers, N=162 Michigan farmers, N=103 Minnesota farmers, N=90 Mississippi farmers, N=140 Nebraska farmers, and N=214 Ohio farmers. Interviews were distributed and weighted to reflect the population of soybean producers nationally based on the 2007 Ag Census data. –85% currently growing soybeans –15% grown soybeans within the past two years Margin of error + 3.1% Responses to this survey were gathered February 3 – 24,

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Thinking about the future—say three years from now—do you think that the soybean industry will get better, get worse or remain the same as it is now? (Split Sample Version A) Q1A 3

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Thinking about the future – say three years from now – do you think that your operation will get better, get worse, or remain the same as it is right now? (Split Sample Version B) Q1B 4

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide How familiar would you say that you are with the details and specifics of the national Soybean Checkoff Program administered by the United Soybean Board? Q2 5 Note: Question was split sampled in 2011

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Do you support or oppose the Soybean Checkoff Program? Q3 6

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Impact of Checkoff Familiarity on Checkoff Support CheckoffSupportOpposeUnsure Total76%12% Very Familiar84%13%3% Somewhat Familiar82%10%8% Not at all Familiar51%19%30% Q2 - Q3 7

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide How much of a positive impact would you say the Soybean Checkoff Program has on your bottom line profitability? 2013 Mean Score: 5.20 Q4 8

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide How well do you think this phrase describes the Soybean Checkoff Program? “Progress Powered by U.S. Farmers” 2013 Mean Score: Q5

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Do you think the Soybean Checkoff Program has helped to expand or develop new international markets for U.S. grown soybeans? Q6 10

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide And what foreign region or country do you think has become a new or expanded market for U.S grown soybeans as a result of the efforts of the Soybean Checkoff Program? (Asked of N=815, or 81.3% of total sample) Q7.1 11

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide And what foreign region or country, besides China, do you think has become a new or expanded market for U.S grown soybeans as a result of the efforts of the Soybean Checkoff Program? (Asked of N=426, or 42.5% of total sample) Q7.2 12

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Do you think that the production research funded by the Soybean Checkoff Program has helped develop any advances or improvements in soybean production techniques? Q8 13

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide What production research advances do you think have been developed as a result of production research funded by the Soybean Checkoff Program? (Asked of N=753, or 75.1% of total sample) Q9 14

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Do you think that research on new uses funded by the Soybean Checkoff Program has helped to develop any new uses for soybeans? Q10 15

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide What new uses do you think have been developed as a result of research funded by the Soybean Checkoff Program? (Asked of N=814, or 81.2% of total sample) Q

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide What new uses, besides biodiesel, do you think have been developed as a result of research funded by the Soybean Checkoff Program? (Asked of N=198, or 19.7% of total sample) Q

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Specific Knowledge of Soybean Issues Q7, Q9, Q11 18

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Q3 & Q7, Q9, Q11 SupportOpposeUnsure Total76%12% Knows Three93%2%5% Knows Two86%6%8% Knows One72%13%15% Knows None42%33%25% Specific Knowledge of Soybean Issues versus Support for Checkoff 19

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Please tell me which one of these areas or priorities you believe is most important to your long term bottom line. Q12.1 Note: 1) One new response choice was added in 2012 and “developing seed trait varieties” was broke into two choices 2) “Recapturing soy oil’s food industry” was added to the “trans-fat free” response in

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Please tell me which one of these areas or priorities you believe is least important to your long term bottom line. Q Note: 1) “Recapturing soy oil’s food industry” was added to the “trans-fat free” response in 2013

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Do you know the protein and oil content of the soybeans you planted last crop year? Q13 22

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide How important is protein and oil content in your decision of which beans to raise? Q14 23

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Do you agree or disagree with this statement? “I would be able to get a higher price per bushel for the soybeans I will grow this year if the protein and oil content of my beans were higher.” Q15 24

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide How accurate would you say that this statement is, based on your own experiences? “U.S. soybean farmers have no problems selling all of the beans they raise every year, so there is no need to worry about protein and oil content.” (Split Sample Version A) Q16A 25

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide How accurate would you say that this statement is, based on your own experiences? “The market for soybeans is constantly expanding, and there is no doubt that U.S. soybean farmers will be able to sell all of the beans they produce for the foreseeable future.” (Split Sample Version B) Q16B 26

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide After the elevator or crushing plant, who is your “Number One” Customer? Q17 27

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Would you be willing to make changes to the soybeans you plant to protect export markets like China if they demanded soybeans with a higher protein and oil content? Q18 28

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Do you agree or disagree with this statement? “Livestock and poultry production is so important to soybean markets that every effort should be made, by the soybean industry, to support the growth of U.S livestock production.” Q19 29

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Would you favor or oppose moving to a system that would calculate a “component price” for each load of beans based on the protein and oil level of each load, as a way to raise the level of protein and oil content in U.S. grown beans while making sure that farmers are fairly compensated? Q20 30 Note: Question was split sampled in 2012

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide If a component price system were put in to place, do you think that it would have – a positive impact or a negative impact – on the price you would receive for your beans compared to last year, or would it not have any impact on you, personally? Q21 31 Note: Question was split sampled in 2012

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide If a component price system were put in place, which resulted in additional market value, do you think that more technologies will be available to U.S. Soybean farmers to increase your profitability in the future? Q22 32 Note: 1) Question was split sampled in ) Underlined phrase was added in 2013

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Based on your own experience, do you agree or disagree with this statement? “Every year the freedom I need to profitably operate my farm is increasingly threatened by outside influences ranging from more government regulation to environmental challenges to transportation issues and more.” (Split Sample Version A) Q23A 33 Note: Question was not split sampled in 2011 or 2012

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Being as specific as you can, what is the single greatest threat from outside influences to your ability to operate profitably? (Asked of N=402, or 40% of total sample) Q23-1 Open-Ended ResponsesPercent (%) The EPA - regulations 9% Government regulation/interference – control/over-involved 24% Environmental regulations – water, air/dust, drainage, etc 8% Control over chemical/fertilizer/herbicide/pesticide usage 3% Input costs – fuel, seeds, machinery, production 9% Global competition – production/exports/imports/restrictions 6% Transportation/Infrastructure 3% Price paid/Government’s impact on price paid 3% Weather/Weed/Disease/Yield 11% Land – availability, cost, encroachment, etc 3% Lack of public knowledge/Public complaints 2% Environmentalists/Special interest groups/Activists 3% Size of competition, large farms running out small farm 2% Markets and economy 4% Opposition to GMO and genetically modified beans 2% Other 1% Don’t know, nothing specific 8% Refused 1% Q23-1

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Based on your own experience, do you agree or disagree with this statement? “Every year, the aging infrastructure throughout the value chain is having a more negative impact on my profitability.” (Split Sample Version B) Q23B 35

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide As you may know, seed companies have begun introducing seeds with a new trait called High Oleic which will have improved functionality for soybean oil and eliminate the need for trans-fat labeling in many food applications. How important do you think it is for soybean farmers to use these new seeds to regain lost market share in the vegetable oil market? Do you think it is – Q24 36

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide If your seed dealer had these seeds available in your desired maturity group plus all the usual agronomic traits and disease packages for your geography, and provided credible yield comparison data, would you be more likely to plant the High Oleic seed or stick with the seed you presently have been using? Q25 37

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Which of the following would have the most influence in your decision of whether or not to plant the High Oleic seed? Q26 38

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide How familiar would you say you are with the term “sustainability” as it relates to the possible requirement for all U.S. farmers to eventually provide documented proof that their commodities are sustainably produced in accordance to accepted international, federal and state conservation, environmental and labor guidelines? Q27 39

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide As you may already be aware, there is a push for agriculture to become more “sustainable” in its operating practices to meet international guidelines. Have you made changes in how you farm or how you use your land that you think qualifies for meeting the definition of sustainability under international guidelines? Q28 40

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Being as specific as you can, please describe the types of practices you use on your farm that would fit the definition of “sustainable” to meet international guidelines? (Prompted for a second response if only mentioned “no till.”) (Asked of N=405, or 40.4% of total sample) Q29 Open-Ended ResponsesPercent (%) No till, minimal till 26% Use of Chemicals / Herbicides / Pesticides – Limited, tracked 12% Control Fertilizer – limit, organic, livestock 4% Water – Protect/Improve waterways, control drainage, irrigation practices 4% Crop rotation 9% Erosion control – strip till, contouring 5% Seed choice – Round Up Ready beans, improved genetics 7% Soil – Conservation, Testing, Nutrient plan, Grid samples 6% Best use practices / Follow guidelines and recommendations 4% Use of technology in application – GPS, new equipment, computer 2% Conservation Research Program (CRP), Stewardship program, Certified program 3% Cover crops – rye, clover, etc 5% Other 2% Don’t know, nothing specific 10% Refused 2% Q29

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Do you believe that using sustainable production practices will enhance your bottom-line profitability? IF “YES WILL ENHANCE”, ASK: Do you believe it would enhance your bottom-line profitability – A LOT, SOME, OR JUST A LITTLE? Q30 42

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Some farmers say that the Checkoff program may have been necessary in the past, but that changes in the soybean market and industry have made it so that the program is not really necessary any more, and that discontinuing the Checkoff would not have any real impact on most farmers, because there are others already providing the same services. Other farmers say that the Checkoff program has been a good investment for the soybean industry and that if there wasn’t a Checkoff program to help expand new markets and fund the research on new products and production techniques, that many farmers and the industry as a whole would suffer. Which view comes closest to your own? Q31 43

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Impact of Checkoff Familiarity on Checkoff Investment Checkoff Good Investment No Longer Necessary Unsure Total70%26%4% Very Familiar73%24%2% Somewhat Familiar74%23%2% Not at all Familiar55%36%9% Q2 - Q31 44

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Do you recall receiving a publication recently by the name of “Beyond the Bean?” Q32 45

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Do you find the articles in “Beyond the Bean” to be -- more helpful, just as helpful, or less helpful -- than those in other agriculture-related magazines that you receive and read? (Asked of N=744, or 74.2% of total sample) Q33 46

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Do you use a cell phone? IF YES, ASK: In the last year, have you used your cell phone to access information for making decisions on your farm? D1 47

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide How often would you say that you go "online" to access s or the internet? D2 48

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide When you watch television, do you watch RFD-TV? D3 49

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide When you need timely agricultural information, how do you prefer to receive communications about soybean production? D4

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide AGE D5 51

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide ACREAGE FOR SOYBEANS ONLY D6 52

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide TOTAL ACERAGE FOR OPERATION D7 53

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide OPERATION SIZE D8 54

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Are you currently using biodiesel in your farming operation? D9 55

USB 2013 National Soybean Farmers N=1,003 soybean farmers nationwide Is animal production a significant part of your overall farming operation? D10 56