Value of Agricultural Commodity Checkoffs

There is no doubt that U.S. food production is vital to the security of the country. There is also no doubt that results from public and private research provide an invaluable foundation for the continued success of U.S. agriculture. Much of this research in the public sector is funded by monies collected via commodity checkoffs.

A report titled “The Future of Agriculture Checkoffs” has been compiled by the agri-food team [formerly Aimpoint Research] of The Directions Group. Key points from that report follow.

•   The purpose of the research that provides the results contained in the report was to determine 1) what the impact of commodity checkoff programs has been, 2) what the future may require of commodity checkoffs, and 3) the actions these entities must take to ensure continued impact from their activities.

•   The contents of the report provide analysis of past impacts of checkoffs, and emphasize how they must position themselves to continue to provide their intended outcomes.

•   The results highlight how checkoffs have been instrumental in supporting national security and promoting agricultural sustainability.

•   Checkoff programs are rooted in a producer-driven approach, and have been instrumental in shaping how U.S. agriculture has been at the forefront of market development and technology innovation.

•   The checkoffs have significantly contributed to the expansion of domestic and international markets, advanced pest management and prevention practices, increased the adoption of sustainable farming practices, and improved food safety standards.

•   Reliable research funding from checkoff monies is crucial to Land Grant Colleges.

•   Checkoff monies have been crucial in driving innovation that is needed to increase production efficiency of all U.S. agricultural commodities.

In the case of soybeans, the SPARC Act that was enacted in the early 1990's established the soybean checkoff in the U.S. Checkoff monies collected from soybean sales in each state fund the activities of Qualified State Soybean Boards [QSSB] as well as activities of the United Soybean Board [USB].

The Mississippi Soybean Promotion Board [MSPB] is a QSSB that is comprised of 12 appointed farmer members that oversee the investment of soybean checkoff monies in research and extension programs that will benefit Miss. soybean producers. The MSPB and all other QSSB’s contribute 1/2 of collected checkoff monies to the USB, which invests those monies in myriad regional and national programs/projects that will benefit soybean producers across the U.S.

The website that hosts this article is one of the many MSPB activities funded by checkoff dollars. Midsouth soybean producers are encouraged to bookmark “Links to Soybean Information on MSSOY” in order to have ready access to the up-to-date information that is continually posted/updated on the MSPB website.

Composed by Larry G. Heatherly, Sep. 2024, larryh91746@gmail.com