Through the new initiative, the soybean checkoff will encourage U.S. soybean farmers to evaluate compositional quality, or protein and oil content, in addition to yield potential when selecting soybean varieties to plant on their farms.

Soybean checkoff farmer-leaders and staff are also working with processors and seed companies to develop a market signal and assess the adverse economic impact of producing soybeans with lower levels of protein and oil. Improving the overall quality of the U.S. soybean crop is one way soybean checkoff farmer-leaders feel the U.S. can compete with South America.