Investing In Soy’s Future Has A $12.30 Return

For many American farmers, the current agricultural climate is a paradox: production remains high, and so does the economic pressure.

Carla Schultz, a diversified farmer from Mayville, Michigan, and Communication Education Chair for the United Soybean Board, doesn’t sugarcoat the reality of the industry. From her home farm, where she raises everything from winter white wheat to hogs, she sees the strain firsthand.

“There are a lot of tears on farms right now,” Schultz says. “There are a lot of farms that may not make it past this. From the United Soybean Board standpoint, we want to make sure that we’re driving the demand so that we’re going to help alleviate some of that pressure.”

One of the primary ways the USB is alleviating that pressure is through the checkoff program. The checkoff is where a small percentage of every soybean sale is reinvested into research, promotion, and global market expansion. Schultz reports that for every dollar a farmer contributes, they see an average return of $12.30.

The results of these investments are moving soybeans beyond the dinner table. One of the most significant breakthroughs involves the development of SoyFoam, a bio-based firefighting alternative. Unlike traditional foams that contain “forever chemicals” or PFAS, SoyFoam is biodegradable and utilizes natural soybean enzymes.

The USB is also fighting a battle on the digital front. As social media often casts doubt on the health benefits of seed oils, Schultz says the board relies on peer-reviewed research to maintain consumer confidence. By highlighting the heart-healthy omega-3s and unsaturated fats found in soybean oil, the board ensures that soy remains a staple in the kitchen.

Despite occasional skepticism toward the checkoff, Schultz argues that the strength of the industry lies in its scale. The USB coordinates with individual state organizations to ensure that research into fuel, feed, and industrial uses is collaborative rather than redundant.

“I think I go back to that ‘squeaky wheel gets the grease’,” she says of the naysayers. “I think a very large percentage of farmers really appreciate the checkoff and are very thankful it’s there.”