USB Chair Philip Good: Letter to U.S. Soybean Farmers
Fellow farmers,
Every row of soybeans we plant carries more than seed, it carries possibility. Possibility that the beans we grow will not only feed our livestock and our families, but also fuel trains and barges, fight fires, and show up in places none of us could have imagined a generation ago.
As we navigate trade and input uncertainty, fluctuating commodity prices and challenging weather conditions, I can assure you that your Soy Checkoff investments pay off in powerful ways that matter to every farmer reading this. We’re looking 5-10 years out to ensure that U.S. farmers have viable domestic and international markets well into the future. Here are some recent investments that your checkoff dollars help make possible.
Feeding the animals that feed us.
Livestock continue to drive demand for soy products. From poultry and pigs to dairy and beef, your Soy Checkoff supports animal production and profit by delivering solutions for nutritionists, veterinarians, producers and others in the ag value chain. As I’ve said many times, “Animal agriculture continues to evolve, and we work to make sure soy continues to deliver.”
Fueling America’s future.
Biofuels aren’t just about trucks anymore. We’re seeing more interest than ever from railroads, maritime shipping companies, and even the home heating industry. Your checkoff investments recently secured all six Class 1 railroads to expand their use of soy-based biofuels in 2025. Our Treasurer, Matt Gast from North Dakota, puts it this way: “Every gallon of soy-based fuel used in a locomotive or barge means more soybean oil put to work, and that’s direct ROI for farmers.”
Creating new markets through innovation.
Kentucky farmer and Vice Chair Brent Gatton has seen soy innovation up close, right in his own backyard installing a soy-based SYNLawn putting green. He reminds us that “Biobased products aren’t just good for the planet. They create real markets for soybean meal and oil.” Also, products like SoyFoamTM, a soy-based alternative to PFAS firefighting foam, not only replace harmful chemicals to protect firefighters’ health and our creeks, lakes and rivers, they open doors to new value for every bushel we grow.
Protecting our place at the table.
Virginia farmer and Secretary Susan Watkins leads our focus on seed oils as Demand Chair. “Soybean oil supports heart health, it’s versatile in the kitchen, and it’s grown right here in the U.S.,” said Watkins. “Research we’ve funded shows removing seed oils from the food supply would threaten farmers’ edible oils market and raise grocery bills by $7.7 billion each year. Keeping vegetable oil on shelves is not only a win for farmers, it’s a win for every American household.”
Across these market segments, the common thread is clear: U.S. Soy isn’t standing still. We’re proving, year after year, that farmer-led investments create real returns, whether it’s in feed rations, fuel blends, turf fields, kitchen pantries or exports to 80+ countries.
As your chair, I’m proud of what we’re building together. And I’m even more hopeful for what’s next. Because behind every row of soybeans being harvested this season, there’s a story of hard work, resilience, and most importantly, transformation. U.S. Soy provides sustainable solutions for every life, every day, across a multitude of industries impacting everyday consumers.
Thank you for the trust you place in your Soy Checkoff. Together, we’re making sure soy’s future is as bright as its past.
Sincerely,
Philip Good
Chair, United Soybean Board
Mississippi farmer
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