The United Soybean Board (USB) will grow from 70 to 73 directors this winter to represent soybean production growth in the US states of Missouri, New Jersey and Wisconsin.

New and returning farmer-leaders will be sworn in at USB's annual meeting in St. Louis on December 9. All appointees were nominated by their Qualified State Soybean Boards (QSSBs) and confirmed by US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on September 26.'

This year's group of 39 appointees will join the other 34 farmer-leaders in directing soy checkoff funds to research, marketing and promotion efforts that increase soybean farmer profitability. To increase the value of US soy, the checkoff works with partners in the value chain, from supply to marketplace to demand, to identify and capture opportunities that increase farmer profit potential.

"Soybean farmers are at the heart and mission of the soy checkoff," Jared Hagert, USB chair, said. "To embody the farmer perspective, farmer-leaders from the soybean-growing region step up to volunteer their time and skills to maximise profit opportunities for their neighbors over the county line and across the country. It is through the expertise, vision and inspiration of these dedicated men and women that the checkoff can bring fresh, new ideas to grow innovation beyond the bushel."

USB's 70 farmer-directors work on behalf of all US soybean farmers to achieve maximum value for their soy checkoff investments. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds in programmes and partnerships to drive soybean innovation beyond the bushel and increase preference for US soy. That preference is based on US soybean meal and oil quality and the sustainability of US soybean farmers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.

- United Soybean Board