In the year ahead, the United Soybean Board (USB) will boost demand for U.S. Soy, drive on-farm resilience and bring value to the nearly half a million U.S. soybean farmers. Led by its 77 farmer-leaders, including three who represent Wisconsin, USB recently approved a $121.3 million budget for the 2026 fiscal year, strategically allocating funds across vital research, promotion and education investments. This spans the food, feed, fuel, industrial, exports and sustainable production market segments. 

“Just like we have done on our farms across the country, USB’s farmer-leaders have sharpened their pencils, identifying high-impact opportunities that provide return to America’s soybean farmers,” said Philip Good, USB chair from Macon, Miss. “Times are tough right now in the farm economy, and I can speak from experience dealing with the wettest growing season in my farming career. As soybean farmers navigate the trade and input uncertainty, along with unpredictable weather, the Soy Checkoff aims to be the long-term, steady hand on the rudder. We’re looking 5-10 years out to ensure that U.S. farmers have viable markets and innovation to protect against weather, weed and disease pressures.” 

The Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board (WSMB) works with USB to make wise checkoff investments in production research, market development and new uses. With three Wisconsin farmers representing the Badger State on USB – Nancy Kavazanjian, Tony Mellenthin and Sara Stelter – important decisions are made with Wisconsin’s soybean growers in mind. 

“While it was difficult to make the tough cuts, the board worked together to get the best ROI for farmer checkoff dollars,” said Stelter, who farms near Wautoma. 

The board approved the budget during USB’s July meeting in Norfolk, Va., prioritizing strategic investment in several areas such as animal health and nutrition, infrastructure, production research and international trade. In addition, the board focuses its communication and education efforts on strengthening the reputation of U.S. Soy with customers, amplifying checkoff investments to inform U.S. soybean farmers and partnering with the over 30 state soybean boards on research and outreach. 

“While the calendar says 2025, at USB we’re already finalizing 2026 programs and the July USB meeting provides a check-in to make sure we’re on track,” said Kavazanjian, who farms near Beaver Dam. “We heard preliminary results of ongoing research, considered industry partner issues and met to consider additional projects that can accomplish our mission to create value for all U.S. soy farmers.” 

Wisconsin is home to nearly 17,000 soybean growers and for every dollar that Wisconsin soybean farmers pay into the checkoff, growers earn $12.34 in return value. 

“USB is constantly looking ahead and identifying avenues for checkoff investments that will benefit producers,” said Mellenthin, who farms near Eau Galle. “The U.S. soybean industry – including Wisconsin – is made stronger through these investments.”  

Key investments USB is prioritizing in the coming fiscal year include: 

• Food 

• Feed 

• Fuel 

• Industrial uses 

• Exports 

• Sustainable production 

USB CEO Lucas Lentsch said Wisconsin’s directors on USB play a critical role in bringing Wisconsin interests to the national stage.   

“Every farmer from every zip code plays a role in this organization because the soy checkoff starts at a local level,” Lentsch said. “Having Nancy, Tony and Sara represent Wisconsin as directors on the United Soybean Board ensures that local views and priorities are integrated into the larger checkoff strategy.”