ST. LOUIS, Mo. — The United Soybean Board (USB) had its annual meeting here Dec. 6-7, marking the 20th anniversary of the soybean checkoff.

The checkoff is directed by the 69-member USB. Members of the USB are often nominated at the state level and are appointed to the board by the USDA secretary. George Martin, from Nebo, Ky., ended his final term on the 69-member USB. He served on the board for 18 of the 20 years the checkoff has existed.

Martin, who harvested 600 acres of soybeans this year, noted a high return on investment from the USB’s checkoff-funded activities. “For every dollar we have invested, we got $6.40 back,” he said. “That’s a pretty doggone good rate of return on investment.”

That return was determined by an independent analysis of the soybean checkoff’s impact, published by the Texas Agribusiness Research Center in 2009.

John Butler, a USB director from Dyersburg, Tenn., was reappointed to the USB this year. He started farming just before the checkoff began, and Butler said he remembered having some questions when the checkoff fee was first deducted from his grain checks. He said he soon realized checkoff-sponsored research provides many benefits.

“One of the biggest benefits is that the USB provided funding for mapping the soybean genome,” said Butler.

The genome sequence, released in 2008, was a breakthrough in aiding researchers and soybean plant breeders to enhance beneficial soybean traits. “If it hadn’t been for producer checkoff dollars funding that research, it’s unlikely the soybean genome would have been mapped,” said Martin.

New uses for soy products also highlight the USB’s accomplishments over the life of the soybean checkoff.

“Who would have thought 20 years ago that Ford would have been using soy-based foam in all their automobiles?” asked Martin. “And who would have thought furniture manufacturers would be using soy-based foam in their furniture, and that farm machinery companies would be using soy plastics in their equipment?”

He also said there are ongoing and future challenges for the USB and soybean producers. One is international competition.

“We simply don’t have the availability of land for soy production as Brazil and other foreign producers do,” he said.

But Martin said the United States provides technical assistance through research and education that international competition cannot match. Much of that assistance, he said, has been developed or supported through soybean checkoff funds.

Butler, who harvested 650 acres of soybeans this year, said research into international markets is also a high priority for the USB’s future. “We have to be concerned about our overseas customers,” he said.

Soy market development in emerging economies, as well as the soybean meal market in Europe and continued development of Asian markets, were all cited of importance at the USB annual meeting. The checkoff also funds research addressing ongoing U.S. production challenges.

“We’ve spent a tremendous amount of money on cyst nematode, and every time you turn around they find a new (nematode),” said Martin.

Another area acknowledged a priority for the USB by its new chair, Vanessa Kummer of North Dakota, is developing producer leadership within the soy industry. Improved leadership training opportunities, she said, will be extended to the directors of the USB, as well as to members of state soybean boards.

Kummer said maintaining transportation infrastructure is also a vital concern to the soy industry’s future. “Infrastructure is a big deal in North Dakota,” she said. “We take most everything we raise out to the Pacific Northwest, so having rail and a good solid road system is important.”

Kevin Wilson, vice president of the Indiana Soybean Assoc., added, “Soybean groups are working on, and will continue to work on, research addressing transportation infrastructure.”

The USB, along with the Soy Transportation Coalition, has funded a “Farm to Market” analysis of the transportation infrastructure for soy products. The study is scheduled for completion Dec. 30 of this year.

The soybean checkoff, started in 1991, collects half of 1 percent of the market price of soybeans sold each season.