As part of its annual meeting, the United Soybean Board (USB) elected Eric Niemann, a soybean farmer from Nortonville, KS, to represent the board as its chairman for the upcoming year. Board members also evaluated key target areas as: soy biodiesel, animal agriculture, international marketing, soybean production and soy-based food and technology.

With Niemann at the helm, his newly elected officers are: Vice Chairman Ike Boudreaux, a soybean farmer from Lebeau, LA; Secretary Chuck Friedrich, a soybean farmer from Aurora, SD; and Treasurer Kent Gronlie, a soybean farmer from Northwood, ND. The new USB Executive Committee includes the following soybean farmers: Todd Allen, West Memphis, AR; Terry Ecker, Elmo, MO; Chuck Myers, Lyons, NE; Mark Pietz, Lakefield, MN; Jack Reed, Salem, IN and Rick Stern, Cream Ridge, NJ.