Frequently Asked Questions

The Soy Checkoff is a farmer-funded program that invests in research, promotion, and education to increase demand for U.S. soybeans and create more value for farmers.

U.S. soybean farmers invest 0.5% of the market price for every bushel sold. Farmer-leaders on the United Soybean Board direct those investments toward growing markets, driving innovation, and strengthening farmer profitability.

The Soy Checkoff allows farmers to accomplish together what no individual farmer could do alone. By pooling investments, it develops new markets, expands demand, supports production research, and helps improve profitability and resilience on the farm.

Nearly half a million soybean farmers across over 270,000 farm operations in the U.S. contribute to and benefit from the Soy Checkoff. Every investment is designed to improve opportunities and profitability for soybean farmers.

Farmers invest 0.5% of the market price of each bushel sold into the Soy Checkoff. Half of that contribution supports their Qualified State Soybean Board (QSSB), and the other half supports national research, promotion, and education efforts, managed by the United Soybean Board.

Seventy-seven farmer-leaders from more than 30 Qualified State Soybean Boards volunteer to direct investments, and USDA-Agricultural Marketing Service provides oversight.

By law, Soy Checkoff dollars can only be used for research, promotion, and education. They cannot be used for lobbying.

Every Soy Checkoff dollar returns $12.30 to U.S. soybean farmers.

In the past five years alone, checkoff investments have grown U.S. soybean exports by 18% (1.8 billion bushels) and domestic demand by 9% (1 billion bushels). 

That growth supports 31,000 jobs, $2.6 billion in labor income, and a $9.8 billion  increase to the U.S. gross domestic product, with $1 billion in tax revenue. 

Source: United Soybean Board

Since the Soy Checkoff began, U.S. soybean production has more than doubled, growing from about 2 billion bushels in 1990 to more than 4 billion bushels today through continued improvements in productivity and farming practices.

At the same time, checkoff investments have expanded demand across food, animal feed, fuel, and industrial applications, creating new market opportunities that keep pace with growing soybean production.

The Soy Checkoff grows domestic demand by creating new markets and expanding existing uses for U.S. soybeans. From cooking oil and animal feed to renewable fuels and bio-based products like tires and firefighting foam, checkoff investments help increase demand for every bushel U.S. soybean farmers grow.

In partnership with the U.S. Soybean Export Council, the checkoff helps expand U.S. Soy℠ in more than 90 international markets. Top export markets include China, Mexico, the European Union, Egypt, and the Philippines.

The Soy Checkoff invests in research, commercialization, and market development that expand the use of soybean oil as a renewable fuel feedstock.

These investments helped establish the biodiesel industry and continue to support growth in Bioheat®, rail, trucking, and marine transportation, creating long-term demand for U.S. soybean oil.

The Soy Checkoff invests in innovations that expand the use of soy in consumer and industrial products.

Today, soy is used in more than 1,000 products, including Goodyear® tires, Skechers® footwear, DEWALT® lubricants, and SoyFoam™ firefighting foam. Checkoff-supported research also advances bio-based alternatives for products such as asphalt, plywood, turf, coatings, and plastics.

The Soy Checkoff invests in research that helps U.S. soybean farmers manage risk, improve yields, and remain competitive. Investments include:

• Mapping the soybean genome with the National Science Foundation to accelerate development of improved varieties.
• Developing a soybean rust warning system with USDA to help farmers respond to disease threats.
• Supporting the Better Bean initiative, which led to high oleic soybeans with improved oil quality and market value.
• Advancing research on drought tolerance, weed management, and disease resistance to support stronger yields.

Yes. The Soy Checkoff invests in infrastructure initiatives that help keep U.S. Soy competitive in global markets.

Checkoff investments support research, analysis, and pre-engineering work to improve inland waterways, including dredging and Lock and Dam modernization on the Mississippi River.

Checkoff investments also support port infrastructure that expands export capacity, increases shipping flexibility, and helps reduce transportation risk.

In addition, investments in rail capacity provide reliable transportation options that help keep U.S. soybeans moving during supply chain disruptions, including periods of low water on the Mississippi River.