This week, the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board updated its strategic plan and reviewed and approved checkoff-supported research projects for 2024.

WSMB approved at least 15 projects for checkoff funding for 2024. The projects address agronomic and production priorities for the state’s nearly 11,000 soybean growers.

“We love having access to research, and funding research is a big part of our budget,” says WSMB President Patrick Mullooly. “We have to give these projects some special time and thought. We’re a big state and our growers have different concerns, so we have a lot of factors to consider and discuss.”

Many of the checkoff-sponsored projects continue to fund long-term studies. Approved proposals included:

  • Integrated soybean production systems
  • Overcoming herbicide resistance
  • White mold management
  • Soybean Cyst Nematode testing
  • Pest management

The board also voted to continue supporting the annual Yield Contest, which was revamped and streamlined in 2023 to include a measuring wheel and GPS as methods for determining harvest area. This upcoming growing season will mark the 15th year of the Yield Contest. The Wisconsin Soybean Program and UW-Madison Agronomist Shawn Conley oversee the contest.

WSMB also voted to sponsor several new projects for fiscal year 2024. Projects include research related to no-till soybeans into rye cover crops; planting sequence; and biological nitrogen fixation.

The organization also elected to support a checkoff-funded project that uses soybean meal/flour to create biobased firefighting foam. Wisconsin’s soy checkoff has been in use since the early 1980s. For each dollar Wisconsin soybean farmers contribute to the program, growers earn $12.34 in return value. Value includes advancements in genetics, building new markets, and creating value-added products. In the months ahead, WSMB is hopeful a new soybean crush plant in Evansville will gain final approval.

“There are a lot of exciting developments happening with our soy checkoff and industry,” Mullooly said. “It’s an exciting time for us here in Wisconsin.”

The board will meet again in June.