Increased Soybean Usage Helps Drive Checkoff-Funded Research

While much of the research soybean farmers fund through their checkoff is focused on production practices, the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council also invests in studies on new uses and other opportunities to increase soybean demand. Noteworthy projects in the current fiscal year include one effort focused on developing a soy-based adjuvant to improve the efficacy of white mold treatments and another that explores the value of extruded soybeans in cattle rations.

Improved Efficacy with a Soy-based Adjuvant

Matthew Cole is currently utilizing checkoff funds to conduct research on a soy-based adjuvant designed to improve the efficacy of white mold treatments in soybeans. "This is an input farmers can use that they know is coming from their soybean crops," said Cole, who launched Pioneer BioTech a few years back and now operates out of the POET Bioproducts Center in Brookings.

He touted the unique nature of his research, which addresses multiple priorities — improved production practices and new soy uses — for the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council. Cole noted that he grew up on a family farm in South Dakota; that upbringing gave him a deeper appreciation for a closed-loop model that may one day equip farmers with a new tool for managing pressure in their soybean fields while also supporting soybean value.

If his current research continues to show promising results, Cole said he hopes to expand the study through additional funding beyond the soybean checkoff to bring a new solution to market for on-farm use.

Increased Soy Meal Demand

Soybean meal has long been a key component within livestock rations, offering superior protein quality and composition to support positive animal health outcomes. Checkoff-funded research continues to play an important role in driving demand for soy meal in livestock development.

A current study supported by the checkoff is overseen by Zach Smith, Associate Professor for Beef Cattle Nutrition and Management at South Dakota State University. Smith is comparing cattle health outcomes of a traditional diet that includes distillers grains with rations using meal from extruded soybeans that have been exposed to high pressure and high heat during processing.

"We’re really just trying to find more opportunities for soybean farmers to sell their crop," said Smith, noting that extrusion doesn't take place at crush plants but rather at independent manufacturers to whom farmers would be able to sell directly. "This could be a value-added revenue stream, especially in regions where full-fat soybeans might make sense in cattle diets."

Stay Up to Date on Soybean Research

The South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council regularly invests — both locally as well as nationally through United Soybean Board (USB) — in developing new uses for soy as well as the inclusion of soy in animal diets. To learn more, talk to your district director or read about exciting new research at sdsoybean.org.