CHICAGO, Ill. — The United Soybean Board (USB) has announced it will be expanding its investment portfolios to give soybean producers more innovative opportunities to invest in their own bottom lines.

 

“U.S. soybean farmers and their checkoff are working toward the best of both worlds – quantity and quality,” John Motter, USB chair and a Bucyrus, Ohio, grower, told 73 farmer-directors at a board meeting July 19-20 in Chicago.

“Farmers need to be able to make decisions on not just how many acres, but what’s in those acres. We’re focused on getting more value per acre returned to farmers.”

Heather Manhardt, USB communications account supervisor, said the soybean checkoff is leading the industry in shifting from volume to more value from meal and oil products.

“No longer is it enough to simply provide the most soybeans,” she said. “Soy checkoff farmer-leaders are investing in innovative solutions to build and grow markets for U.S. soybean meal and oil to drive the industry forward and maximize farmer profit opportunities.”

John Becherer, the USB CEO who is set to retire at the end of the year, was recognized for his contributions and 29-year service to the industry during the two-day board meeting. “Checkoff investments made by U.S. soybean farmers grew the value of U.S. soy over the past 25 years through innovative investments and partnerships with industry,” he said.