About

About the Soy Checkoff℠

Funded by farmers and directed by farmer leadership across more than 30 states, the Soy Checkoff invests in research, education, and promotion to expand markets and improve production for U.S. soybeans long term.
Husband and wife walking together along the edge of a soybean field, talking as they pass rows of growing plants.

Soy Checkoff at a Glance

The checkoff exists to solve challenges and identify opportunities for farmers. Markets constantly evolve, but together we can keep U.S. Soy℠ competitive in biofuels, animal diets, exports, and more.

Market Expansion

More uses for soybeans mean more demand for what farmers grow.

Representation & Responsibility

At the checkoff, farmers lead the conversation, which means decisions are grounded in real, tangible on-farm practices.

Sustainability & Stewardship

Sustainable practices on the farm create a stronger position in the market.

Research & Development

From the lab to the field to the market, strategic research creates real value for U.S. soybean farmers.
A farmer-leader stands in front of farming equipment with his arms crossed and a determined look on his face.

How It Works

Built to Strengthen Our Industry

From bushels grown, to dollars invested, the checkoff is built with a clear structure and real accountability at every step.

What’s Covered

Farmer Contributions

Focused Investments

Built-in Guardrails

Program Oversight

Explore How It Works
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Farmer Leadership

Seventy-seven farmers. One mission.

Farmers at the forefront of the Soy Checkoff means every decision and investment is made with the benefit of the nearly half-million U.S. soybean farmers in mind. Our farmer leadership asks themselves and their peers, "What can the Soy Checkoff do that I could not do on my own?" That question is the heart of why the checkoff exists.

What’s Covered

Why the farmer leadership model works

How farmer-leaders are selected

What is the role of farmer-leaders

Who is leading the checkoff

Explore Farmer Leadership

How Else Can We Help?

Want more details about the Soy Checkoff? These FAQs cover the questions farmers ask most.
Frequently Asked Questions

What the Checkoff Is

  • 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, checkoff dollars can only be used for research, promotion, and education. They cannot be used for lobbying.

  • Every 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). 

    The impact supports 31,000 jobs, $2.6B in labor income, and a $9.8B increase to the U.S. GDP, with $1B in tax revenue.

    Source: United Soybean Board

  • The checkoff pools farmer investments to do what no individual farmer can do alone.

    It builds new markets, strengthens demand, and supports research that improves resilience and profitability on the farm.

  • There are nearly half a million U.S. soybean farmers across over 270,000 farming operations.

    The checkoff makes all decisions and investments with these farmers in mind.