The Soybean Checkoff: Solving Soybean Production Problems and Creating Marketing Opportunities New information indicates that soybean growers are investing checkoff funds in a balanced research program to increase soybean yields, improve composition and expand market opportunities.
On Oct. 1, 2007, soybean checkoff boards were funding 478 projects with a total investment of about $30.2 million, according to a study funded by the United Soybean Board. The United Soybean Board project surveyed state, regional and national soybean checkoff boards, and information on the project is now available.
Checkoff funding supports a balanced program that includes several research areas important to improving soybean supply and demand. About 70 cents of every checkoff dollar funds research to improve soybean yields and production efficiencies. The remaining 30 cents is directed toward expanding soybean use and improving soybean composition. The funding balance between production and utilization projects, applied studies and basic research, and projects seeking new cutting-edge information and protecting past gains are a positive feature of the soybean checkoff research program.
The chart shows that the checkoff boards are investing in a balanced program to increase soybean yields, improve soybean composition and expand soybean uses. About one-third of the total research funding is allocated to soybean stress projects that involve studies to reduce yield losses due to diseases, insects, nematodes and weeds. Other areas receiving funding are soybean breeding and genetics; biotechnology; soybean composition; soybean utilization; soybean production research; and continuing soybean educational programs.
Most checkoff funding is directed at reducing yield losses due to diseases, nematodes, insects and weeds, which includes developing more pest-resistant soybean varieties; improving management recommendations to minimize pest problems; supporting state extension’s on-farm research studies, field plot demonstrations and communication efforts; and creating a more complete understanding of the pest threats. The relatively large percentage of checkoff funds for plant stress research reflects the board’s priorities and the importance of soybean diseases to grower profitability.
About 15 percent of the funding is being invested in studies to improve soybean utilization. These studies involve expanding industrial use applications, improving feed uses of soybean meal and increasing food use applications of soy protein and oil. There has been a number of new soy products marketed in recent years. Most of these new products can trace their origin to the checkoff program. Researchers are aggressively investigating additional uses of soybean oil in resins, lubricants, fuels and a wide number of other environmentally friendly “green” use applications. Many of the checkoff-funded projects are co-funded by industry, thus leveraging the checkoff investment and providing new access to the marketplace.
Improving the composition of soybeans to be more competitive in domestic and foreign markets continues to be a board priority. About 11 percent of the total checkoff investment is being used to improve soybean’s protein and oil content. These projects have a simple goal of modifying soybean’s composition to better meet the soybean user’s needs. Several state boards are also providing funds to analyze the soybeans produced in their state in an effort to better inform farmers of the choices they have in selecting varieties to plant.
The funding allocated to diseases, nematodes and insects would have been even greater if the investment in evaluating germplasm sources for resistance to soybean diseases and pests, screening germplasm lines and developing elite soybean germplasm lines and varieties would have been included. A significant percent of the total funding for soybean germplasm and variety development is used to screen commercial soybean varieties and germplasm lines for resistance to plant stresses.
State checkoff boards are investing in several production research projects that improve soybean management. These studies are designed to continually build the practical knowledge base on how to produce soybeans more efficiently and profitably. Some states are funding on-farm demonstrations and field studies to develop information on varieties, tillage options, fertility responses, fungicide studies and other areas that require continual management updates to maximize yields and reduce production costs. Results of these studies are being communicated to soybean growers through field days, workshops, conferences, fact sheets, Internet Web sites and the farm press. This research investment continues to have a local dividend payoff to the farmer investing in the checkoff program.
Often overlooked is the checkoff funding for “basic research.” These studies are developing results and techniques critical to future technical advances in soybean production and utilization. This basic knowledge is essential to allow researchers to make the next series of technical advances in soybean research.
The $30.2 million dollars invested in soybean research represents a significant share of the total public dollars spent on soybean research in this country. Soybean growers should be proud that checkoff funding is highly leveraged with federal and state funding for soybean research.
Often overlooked are the 400 researchers involved in soybean checkoff-funded research projects. The checkoff funding is critical in helping to advance professional careers and often responsible for creating the interest for young researchers to spend their careers solving soybean problems.
In summary, soybean growers are investing in a balanced research program that will have a major impact on the future of soybeans. The research projects are highly leveraged with funding from many other sources, which means the checkoff funds are helping to set the research agenda and assuring the projects underway are addressing soybean grower’s concerns. The soybean checkoff is an investment in the future of the soybean crop with more than 400 researchers involved in checkoff-funded projects. Soybean growers should be proud that the checkoff program is investing in projects that will improve soybean production efficiencies, expand uses and improve soybean composition, all designed to improve the profitability of the soybean crop. A copy of the full report is available by contacting the United Soybean Board.
