United Soybean Board approves US$173.8M budget for FY 2025

USA – The United Soybean Board (USB) has sanctioned a budget of US$173.8 million for the fiscal year 2025, dedicated to advancing research, promotion, and education to bolster the demand for U.S. soybeans. 

This budget, ratified by the 77 farmer-leaders on the board during their summer meeting from July 8-11, was hosted by the Maryland Soybean Board and the Mid-Atlantic Soybean Association. 

It aims to build resilient soybean varieties, expand market applications, and promote sustainable practices, ensuring continued growth and profitability.

Steve Reinhard, USB Chair and farmer from Ohio, emphasized the critical need for resilient soybean varieties given the challenging growing conditions across the nation. 

“With wet conditions in the north and dry conditions in the south, growing soybeans has been challenging for many nationwide. One of the benefits of our checkoff is that farmer-led investments continually focus on building a more resilient soybean to withstand weather conditions, pests, and weed pressure while prioritizing demand creation,” Reinhard stated.

The budget supports several strategic areas, including Innovation and Technology, Health and nutrition, and Infrastructure and connectivity. Each focuses on supply-and-demand investments to enhance the resilience and marketability of U.S. soy.

Innovation and technology

Kurt Maurath, the I&T supply work group lead and a Kansas farmer, highlighted that research is being invested in expediting the market introduction of biotech soybeans. 

This research is crucial for combating pests, weeds, and diseases and expanding high-oleic soybeans’ reach. 

On the demand side, Neal Bredehoeft, the lead of the I&T demand workgroup and a Missouri farmer, pointed out the ongoing efforts to expand the use of soybean oil in sustainable aviation fuel and other applications. 

This includes exploring the environmental benefits of soy-based firefighting foam and researching carbon black as a source of renewable tire particles.

Health and nutrition

Laurie Isley, the H&N supply work group lead and a Michigan farmer, emphasized the importance of a comprehensive approach to pest management. 

This involves integrating research across various networks to identify the best soybean management practices. 

Meanwhile, Dawn Scheier, the H&N demand work group lead and a South Dakota farmer, underscored the significant role of soy meal in animal agriculture. 

Infrastructure and connectivity

Robb Ewoldt, the lead of the I&C supply work group and an Iowa farmer, mentioned the potential benefits of using artificial intelligence for soybean grading. 

This technology can reduce human error and enhance profitability by ensuring more accurate assessments of soybean quality. 

On the demand side, Tom Frisch, the lead of the I&C demand work group and a Minnesota farmer, discussed the development of a soy-based chemistry curriculum and the commercialization of soy-based lubricants and hydraulic oils.

Communication and education committee

Matt Gast, the Communication & Education Committee chair and a North Dakota farmer, underscored the importance of promoting agriculture through hands-on STEM activities. By diversifying the uses of soy, USB aims to elevate soy as a sustainable solution in various industries.

Export promotion

Regarding export promotion, April Hemmes, the chair of the Demand Action Team and an Iowa farmer, emphasized the importance of finding new uses for soybean meal. 

Supporting global livestock production and exporting value-added poultry products and red meat can significantly boost U.S. agriculture and the economy.

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