The Soybean Checkoff

Every bushel of soybeans I sell generates a small contribution to a farmer organized group called the Ohio Soybean Board which feeds into the National Soybean Board.  Some of my peers see this as a tax they don't want to pay.



Many of my classmates from Ohio State LEAD Class IV served in these associations.  They did a good job promoting soybeans and generating research for soybeans and soybean products.

Since this is being discussed again on Crop Talk today, I wanted to share an in depth, detailed post from a fellow no-tiller in Iowa, Tom Oswald.

A mandatory assessment of one-half of one percent of the net market price of soybeans is collected at the first point of sale (typically when a farmer delivers soybeans to a grain elevator). Half of the amount collected remains within the state where it is collected and is invested by a Qualified State Soybean Board. The other half is forwarded to a national board that is invested by the United Soybean Board.
 

The amount of money collected fluctuates each year because the collection amount depends on the quantity of soybeans produced and the price at which the soybeans are sold. In recent years, the production and price of soybeans has increased dramatically, and so has the amount of money collected. To learn more, see Soybean Checkoff Collections.

The Soybean Promotion and Research Order is authorized by the Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act [7 U.S.C. 6301-6311]. The Act was passed as part of the 1990 Farm Bill. It authorized the establishment of a national soybean promotion, research and consumer information program. The program became effective on July 9, 1991, when the Order was published. Assessments began September 1, 1991. To learn more, see The Act and The Order.
 

It was the American Soybean Association and its State Soybean Affiliates that developed the concept for a national soybean checkoff in the late 1980’s and then worked with the United States Congress and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to establish the national soybean checkoff in 1990. As the policy organization that represents U.S. soybean farmers, ASA is responsible, along with Congress and USDA, to ensure that the soybean checkoff, and other entities the checkoff has created, are operating in an accountable and transparent manner and in the best interest of soybean farmers. 
 

Prior to 1990, there were a number of individual State Soybean Checkoff programs operating. Legislation for many of these programs still exists at the state level, but these programs are currently superseded by the National Soybean Checkoff.


I know some of you don't grow soybeans but you may grow something that has a checkoff, too.  I think it's a good thing but I have been close to those making the decisions on how to spend that money.  I guess you could call me informed or biased.


What do you think?


Ed Winkle