Why is ADM launching the re:source™ Deforestation-free Soybean program?

We remain committed to helping our producers stay competitive globally in the face of new regulations meant to help protect the world’s forests. Protecting your opportunity to access important export markets means ADM needs to continue to protect crush assets and help producers comply with the EU’s new Deforestation Regulation, which requires that all soybeans and soybean products imported into the EU be sourced from land that hasn’t been recently deforested.

What are the benefits of enrolling?

• A premium of $0.15 on each bushel delivered through the program
• Continued access to the important EU export markets
• Ensuring your soybeans can be a part of sustainable food production supply chains
• Earn an additional $0.05 (on top of the $0.15 premium) by enrolling by May 1 and submitting field boundary maps by June 1, 2024.

What steps do I need to take to enroll?

1. Set up an account with FBN. Doing so will also allow you to participate in other Climate-Smart agriculture initiatives like the ADM re:generations™ program.
2. Enroll in ADM re:source™ via the FBN app or website. The enrollment deadline is June 1, 2024. To qualify for the additional $0.05 premium, be sure to enroll by May 1 and enter field boundary maps by June 1.
3. Submit field boundary maps to FBN for your entire operation no later than July 15, 2024.

How does ADM determine whether my land complies with the requirements for Deforestation-free Certification?

The certification process is managed by FBN using the field boundary maps submitted by producers. Relevant geolocation data is then compared with satellite imagery to determine whether the land was converted from forest to agricultural use after December 31, 2020.

Any deforestation or forest degradation in given plots of land will automatically disqualify all products and commodities from those plots of land from being certified as Deforestation-free and participating in the ADM re:source™ program.

What if some of my land doesn’t meet the requirements?

Just because some of your land might not qualify doesn’t mean the rest of your crop isn’t eligible. If some of your acres don’t meet the requirement, ADM will work with you directly to explore available options. Some ADM locations are not participating in the program, and will still be able to accept non-certified soybeans.

Will ADM provide any support to producers to ensure segregation of non-compliant soybeans?

Currently, ADM is relying on an attestation by producers to verify that non-compliant bushels are being segregated. ADM will provide producers with a form they can fill out to attest to the fact that they meet all the program requirements.

Will ADM offer compensation for field boundary audits?

Yes, ADM will reimburse producers for their time with a $1,000 check. The audits take from 1 to 2 hours to complete, and an appointment will be scheduled in advance at a convenient time for the producer.

How will the data gathered be used/stored?

All data is owned by the producer and submitted to ADM voluntarily via FBN. Only ADM and our partners will have access to data submitted as part of the program. Any data that needs to be shared with EU regulators to ensure compliance with the new rules will be anonymized first so that no personal identifiers are attached to the geographic coordinates associated with your land/crops.

How does the program affect how and where I can deliver my soybeans?

Only farm direct deliveries are eligible to participate in ADM re:source™. After July 15, 2024, soybeans must be enrolled and certified as deforestation-free to be eligible to deliver to select ADM locations. Furthermore, soybeans from non-certified fields cannot be mixed with soybeans delivered as part of the program. Non-certified soybeans must be delivered to locations not participating in the ADM re:source™ program.

When will I receive my payments?

Producers are paid premiums upon delivery and grain settlement of their deforestation-free soybeans.

Does enrolling in ADM re:source™ lock me into selling to ADM? What if someone else announces a better premium?

No. Enrolling in ADM re:source™ simply provides you the opportunity to earn up to a $0.20/bushel premium. But you are always free to choose where you take your grain.

How much clearing can I do on my land without risk of the land being designated as having been deforested?

After you submit your field boundary maps, ADM can work together with you to determine what the limits are. Be sure to include satellite scans with your submission so you can prove that the geocoordinates are for your fields. These scans can help confirm that clearing activities aren’t mistakenly seen as deforestation. You can always reach out to your ADM account manager for help in working with FBN to determine next steps.

Which ADM locations are participating?

Arkansas: Helena

Illinois: Creve Coeur, Curran, Decatur, Farina, Gulfport, Havana, Hennepin, Hume, Mendota, Mound City, Mt. Auburn, Niantic, Ottawa, Ottawa South, Quincy, Sauget, Spring Valley, Taylorville, Tuscola

Indiana: Evansville, Mt. Vernon, Newburgh, Rockport

Iowa: Burlington, Clinton

Kentucky: Henderson, Livingston Point, Silver Grove

Missouri: Center, Charleston, Montgomery City, New Madrid, Novelty, Shelbina, St. Louis

Ohio: Toledo

Ontario (Canada): Windsor

Tennessee: Memphis
The locations listed above are subject to change. Contact your ADM representative for more information.

What counts as a ‘forest’ according to the EU Deforestation Regulation?

According to the EU Deforestation Regulation, a ‘forest’ is defined as “land spanning more than 0.5 hectares (1.24 acres) with trees higher than 5 meters (16.4 feet) and a canopy cover of more than 10 percent, or trees able to reach those thresholds in situ, excluding land that is predominantly under agricultural or urban land use.”

How does the EU Deforestation Regulation define ‘deforestation’?

The EU Deforestation Regulation defines ‘deforestation’ as the “conversion of forest to agricultural use, whether human-induced or not.”

What’s the definition of ‘deforestation-free’ according to the EU Deforestation?

A commodity or product is considered ‘deforestation-free’ by the EU if the “relevant products contain, have been fed with or have been made using, relevant commodities that were produced on land that has not been subject to deforestation after December 31st, 2020.”

How is ‘geolocation’ defined by the EU Deforestation Regulation?

The EU Deforestation Regulation defines geolocation as “the geographical location of a plot of land described by means of latitude and longitude coordinates corresponding to at least one latitude and one longitude point and using at least six decimal digits; for plots of land of more than four hectares (9.88 acres) used for the production of the relevant commodities other than cattle, this shall be provided using polygons with sufficient latitude and longitude points to describe the perimeter of each plot of land.”