Beyond the Bean – Planting Edition

To America’s soybean farmers—

Welcome back to Beyond the Bean. I wish you all a safe planting and hope that the weather cooperates to get the crop in the field with timely rains throughout the summer. In this edition, we want to make sure you have all the tools you need for a successful growing season. During a tough farm economy, every bit helps to defend against yield robbers and identify new revenue streams to offset low commodity prices.

This update includes Soy Checkoff farmer-leaders from Kansas, Maryland and Michigan discussing resources to improve on-farm resilience managing weed, insect and disease pressures. In addition, learn more about high oleic premiums available to farmers and new demand opportunities across the food, dairy and industrial markets. Finally, we close with production research best practices that help farmers profit from every single acre and how to navigate environmental limitations.

With every Soy Checkoff investment, we ask ourselves as a Board: “How is this going to return value back to our farmers?” I’m pleased to announce that enrollment for our Farmers for Soil Health program opens on May 1 for new or existing cover crop acres, starting fall 2026. Farmers can sign up for $35 per acre up to 2,000 acres. Visit our website or social media channels to learn more about how to enroll.

To learn more about your checkoff investments hard at work, visit unitedsoybean.org.

Sincerely,
Brent Gatton
Chair, United Soybean Board