Methods and Acknowledgements 2010

1.     Reported values are based on soybean samples provided by USDA-NASS from their Objective Yield Survey for crop year 2010.

2.     The smallest geographic unit for which values are reported are multi-county Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) districts.

3.     The USDA-NASS survey includes districts from 11 major soybean producing states. To be included in this report, a district had to have a minimum of three soybean sample results to use in the calculation of the descriptive statistics reported.  The number of observations per district is included in the expanded table associated with each web page.

4.     For more information regarding USDA-NASS’s Objective Yield survey, visit http://www.nass.usda.gov/Surveys/Guide_to_NASS_Surveys/Objective_Yield/index.asp

5.     Soybean samples were scanned by Near Infrared (NIR) spectrometry at the USDA’s National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (NCAUR), Peoria, IL. Whole soybean samples received from USDA-NASS were first ground using a FOSS Knifetec grinder and then scanned on a FOSS 6500 NIR Instrument.

6.     NIR spectra from the FOSS 6500 were predicted using ISIPredict Software version 1.10.2.4842.

7.     Calibrations provided by FOSS North America, were used to predict soybean composition from the NIR spectra. NIR Prediction Model Filename, Equation type and adjustments employed are presented in the following table:

8.     Estimates of soybean product yields per bushel, soybean meal compositional characteristics and Estimate of Gross Processor Margin were calculated using reported soybean composition values and proprietary models.  Prices and selected assumptions used in these models are summarized below.

Information for Items Presented in Data Maps:

Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) Districts
FIPS districts are multi-county territories within each state. The codes displayed are a combination of the state code and FIPS district code. For a FIPS district to be reported, results from at least three samples from within it were required.

Amino Acids as a Percent of Crude Protein:
The percentage of total protein represented by each amino acid. This is a consideration is assessing protein quality.

Estimated Gross Processor Margin Per Bushel at Stated Prices (Soybeans at 13 percent Moisture, Hulls Added To Meal to 48 percent Crude Protein, Hulls Limited to that in a Bushel and Low Meal Protein (<47.5 percent Crude Protein) Penalty Applied if Applicable)
Estimates of the gross value per bushel of soybeans to the processor based on reported whole soybean composition, stated prices for meal, oil, hulls and soybeans.  Hulls added to meal to achieve crude protein minimum for high-protein meal. Also, if estimated meal composition is low in crude protein, a low-meal-protein penalty is applied.

Estimated Gross Processor Margin does not include any costs associated with handling and processing the soybean into product.  Since anticipated margin is a factor in determining what a processor is willing and able to pay for a bushel of soybeans, it becomes an important component in the determination of soybean market value.  By using the same price set across districts, it represents one approach for comparing value across districts.   However, as most know, the actual price paid does vary with location.

 

Disclaimer:
All information provided on the U.S. Soy Measurements (USSM) Web pages is provided “as is” and is intended for illustrative purposes only. No warranty, expressed or implied, is provided regarding any information provided on USSM pages. All information is provided on the condition that users must make their own determinations regarding any use of this information and must assume all risk associated with any and all use.