Frerichs reflects on service to the Soybean Checkoff

Jason Frerichs’s term as Chairman of the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council ends on June 30^th. The Wilmot, South Dakota farmer says his service on that board has been educational, enjoyable and eye-opening. “I’ve really been pleased at what I have been able to witness firsthand as a farmer who raises soybeans and is able to directly impact the investments that are made to enhance the price of the soybeans that we all receive when we sell those soybeans as a raw commodity,” said Frerichs, in an interview with the South Dakota Soybean Network a few days before his term ended.

Frerichs says he is excited that each dollar invested in the Soybean Checkoff returns more than twelve dollars in value to the grower. “We know that there will always be a need for new markets [and] new demand,” said Frerichs. “We can’t just rest on the fact that we know there’s a lot of increased crush demand and know that everything will be just fine, because there certainly will be many acres of soybeans planted to help meet those crush facility targets.”

It’s important to continue exploring ways to add value to sustainably raised soybeans and soybean products, according to Frerichs. “And in the end, we want to continue to drive consumer confidence in the products and the ways that we raise soybeans out on our farms. We are proud of the fact that we can put our sustainability efforts up against anyone,” he said. “My fellow farmers here in South Dakota do a great job and obviously the various farming practices that we have adopted are a testament to that. We will continue to be a very resilient force in terms of the future of soybeans.”

Frerichs represented South Dakota soybean farmers in a wider scope as one of the state’s directors on the United Soybean Board. His tenure on that board ended in December of 2022.

The prospect of expanding soybean processing capacity in South Dakota is especially encouraging to Frerichs because he says it will help fill demand for meal and oil. “Right now, the focus is really all on crush. It just seems like that has to be our number one goal because we know that we can add value to that soybean that’s produced here and make sure that it’s made into meal and oil,” he concluded. “Obviously, the livestock industry is going to continue to play a critical role.”