The soybean R&P program operates as the United Soybean Board. The program's goal is to maintain and expand domestic and foreign markets and uses for soybeans and soybean products. It is funded by a mandatory assessment of 0.5 of 1 percent of the net market price of soybeans. All producers marketing soybeans, except organic producers, must pay the assessment.
Annual assessments under the national program were $102.8 million in 2018 and $85 million in 2019. The assessments fund the United Soybean Board, which runs the industry’s research and promotion program under AMS oversight. The Board develops budgets and contracts to carry out a coordinated program of promotion, research, consumer information, and industry information. The latest evaluation of the program’s value, calculated from 1991, estimates a $12.34 return on investment for every program dollar invested.
The program was created and is administered under the authority of the Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act (pdf). It became effective on July 9, 1991, when the Soybean Promotion and Research Order was published. Assessments began September 1, 1991. View the United Soybean Board Federal Register History.
Organization of the United Soybean Board
The United Soybean Board has 77 members representing 29 States and the Eastern and Western regions. Each year, the Secretary of Agriculture appoints approximately one-third of all Board members for 3-year terms. Nominees must be nominated by a Qualified State Soybean Board. The Board’s office is located in Chesterfield, Missouri.
View the list of Soybean Board members (pdf)
Visit the Soybean Board’s Web Site >
Nominations & Membership
To become a member of the United Soybean Board, you must be:
- A soybean producer who is engaged in the growing of soybeans in the United States who owns, or who shares the ownership and risk of loss of, such soybeans.
- Nominated by a Qualified State Soybean Board and submit a completed application.
AMS Policy on Board Diversity: AMS policy is that the diversity of the board should reflect the diversity of their industries in experience of members, methods of production and distribution, marketing strategies, and other distinguishing factors that will bring different perspectives and ideas to the table. When submitting nominations, the industry must consider the diversity of the population served and the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the members to serve a diverse population.
Forms
- Form LP-45R - Nomination for Appointment to the Soybean Board
- Form LP-46 - Soybean Remittance Report
- Form LP-46-1 - Soybean Alternate Remittance Report
- LP-48 Statement of Certification of Non-Producer Status
- United Soybean Board AD-755 Form- Advisory Committee Membership Background Information
- Form LP-17 - Nominee's Agreement to Serve
Organic Assessment Exemption
R&P programs allow persons that produce, handle, market, process, manufacture, feed or import “organic” and “100 percent organic” products to be exempt from paying assessments regardless of whether they are a “split” operation.
Changes to Beef and Soybean Checkoff Programs
On May 13, 2019, AMS published a final rule to change the beef and soybean checkoff programs that will allow producers, under certain circumstances, to request that their assessments paid to a qualified state board or council be redirected to the national program.
- Notice to Trade
- Final Rule
- QSSB-1 – QSSB Producer Redirection of Checkoff Assessments Form (pdf)
- Frequently Asked Questions (pdf)
Soybean Request for Referendum
- February 2, 2024 - Soybean Request for Referendum to Begin May 2024
- February 2, 2024 - Soybean Promotion, Research, and Information Program: Opportunity To Request a Referendum
- Frequently Asked Questions
Mailing Address
USDA, AMS, LP, RPD
1400 Independence Avenue, SW.
STOP 0249
Washington, DC 20250-0249
USDA Oversight Contact
Jason Julian
jason.julian@usda.gov
(202) 731-2149