The United Soybean Board celebrated 35 years of the Soy Checkoff program, highlighting how farmer investments have doubled U.S. soybean production from 2 billion to more than 4 billion bushels annually.
Since its establishment under the 1990 Farm Bill, the farmer-funded program has created entirely new demand categories and expanded exports to more than 90 countries. The checkoff investments have strengthened U.S. infrastructure and developed differentiated soybean varieties to meet evolving global demand.
“At its core, the Soy Checkoff is about farmers believing in their own future,” said Sandy Ludeman, 1991-1992 USB Chair and Minnesota farmer. “Those early investments in markets like China, in biodiesel and in soy-based products created opportunities that simply did not exist before.”
Biodiesel represents one of the program’s most significant achievements. Born from Soy Checkoff research and market development, the initial investment expanded into renewable diesel and broader biofuel applications, including partnerships with railroads, maritime shipping companies and the home heating industry.
When challenges emerged in the 2000s, including trans-fat concerns and biotech scrutiny, farmers chose innovation over retreat. The Better Bean initiative and development of high oleic soybeans protected the edible oils market while creating differentiated products for customers.
Research investments have strengthened soy inclusion in livestock diets, launched the U.S. Soy Center for Animal Nutrition & Health, and expanded soy-based industrial applications to more than 1,000 consumer products. These products now replace petroleum-based materials in items ranging from tires to firefighting foam.
Current USB Chair Brent Gatton, a Kentucky farmer, said the milestone demonstrates collective farmer action. “Because of what farmers have built together over 35 years, we’ve been able to create entirely new markets and categories like biodiesel, expand exports around the world and develop tools that protect yield on the farm.”
Looking ahead, USB focuses on accelerating new uses, strengthening infrastructure and scaling biofuel adoption across transportation sectors.
