At the National Farm Broadcasters Convention in Kansas City, farm director KC Sheperd spoke with American Soybean Association Vice President Scott Metzger, who discussed his current role and his upcoming transition into the presidency. He notes that he is “currently vice president” of the ASA, and in “a couple weeks I will move up into the presidency role.” The discussion highlights both his leadership responsibilities and the broader direction of the organization as he prepares to assume the top position.
Metzger emphasizes the ASA’s commitment to innovation and developing new markets for soy. He explains that the group takes pride in exploring opportunities in domestic crush, biofuels, and international trade. He also highlights a new product—soy-based firefighting foam—remarking that it is “PFOs-free” and includes a “soybean component,” adding that the innovation is meaningful to him personally because several members of his family are firefighters.
Trade concerns, especially regarding China, form a major part of the dialogue. Metzger acknowledges that while there are “some deals on the books,” the commitments are not signed, and accountability remains challenging. He stresses that China is “not where we’re at usually, year in and year out,” and notes the additional complication of a “10% tariff,” making it difficult to ensure they fulfill their promised 12 million metric tons of purchases. He adds, “It is hard to have any accountability when there’s not much really we can do.”
Looking ahead, Metzger outlines the ASA’s policy priorities, including completing the Farm Bill, advancing biofuels, and managing EPA-related issues. He underscores the importance of crop insurance, saying it is “a vital part to several farm operations” and a key risk-management tool many farmers depend on. As for maintaining the U.S. advantage in global soybean markets, Metzger says they plan to “continue to do what we’ve been doing… providing a great product that is competitively priced.”
