USB’s Bradshaw Enthused about Outlook

The U.S. soybean industry boasts a long and successful history.  And the new chairman of the United Soybean Board (USB) from Illinois is just as excited about the prospects for the future.

“When you look at all the activities in the soybean chain, you have to be excited about where we are at this point in history,” says Phil Bradshaw, a Griggsville farmer elected to the position last December.  “We have a significant role in helping to feed the world, and we have so many uses for soybeans that are important now and will become even more important in the future.”

Bradshaw is in his sixth year of representing Illinois farmers with USB.  He was previously USB vice chairman, chair of the Global Opportunities Committee, the Communications Committee and team lead of the Animal Agriculture Initiative Leadership Team.  Additionally, he served as vice chair of the International Marketing Committee and was a member of the Domestic Marketing Committee and Analytical Measurements & Market Standards Initiative Leadership Team.

Bradshaw also is a past chair of the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) and World Soy Foundation.  He was a board member for QUALISOY, the U.S. Soybean Export Council and Illinois Soybean Association (ISA).  He is past president of the Illinois Soybean Program Operating Board, Illinois Pork Producers Association and United States Animal Health Association.

Bradshaw holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and business from Western Illinois University.  He and his son, Todd, farm 900 acres of corn, soybeans and wheat in Pike County, along with raising hogs.  Phil and his wife, Linda, have two daughters as well, Cindy and Lisa.

“We have to make sure our children and grandchildren have a future in this industry.  That is why we must all work together.  We must move ahead with all hands on the rope,” he says.  “I plan to spend much of my time working to make sure all segments of the soybean industry reach their full potential.  If U.S. soybean farmers are not profitable, we cannot be sustainable.”

Bradshaw also plans to focus on new soybean technology and transportation. “Technology is a crucial area for us to use to be able to produce the quantity of soybeans we need to help feed the world.  I am very high on new technology that can feed a nine billion population,” he says.  “When you talk to soybean researchers involved with QUALISOY, you better understand the bright future of the various types of soybeans and the great potential for soybean yields.”

He continues, “We are experiencing an increase in global population and income, and food demand is going to grow.  Some estimates say we must produce 70 percent more food by 2050.  We will need a better infrastructure to efficiently transport those additional beans around the world.  That’s what makes these such exciting times for soybean farmers.”

*Content Funded Through Soybean Checkoff