TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas Soybean Commissioners met in early December to hear funding proposals and establish the budget for the 2027 fiscal year, which runs July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
The board of volunteer farmer-leaders worked through 39 funding proposals from researchers, agricultural educators and national industry groups looking to bring value to the soybean growers, buyers and consumers. In a year where an abundant harvest was dampened by low prices, the farmers focused on moving the needle for production efficiency and demand for soybeans.
“Our priority was projects that could really make a difference in Kansas agriculture, especially ones that get more of our products moving, because right now, that’s why the price of grain is down,” says Chairman Keith Miller, Great Bend. “The projects we approved today will help with demand, better quality product, disease controls — it’ll help all the way around to make our production more profitable at the farm.”
After thorough conversation, farmers chose 35 projects to implement this cycle. These projects center around market development initiatives to build domestic and international demand, field research to enhance production and educational experiences to engage youth, teachers and consumers. Commissioners also approved their core program budget, partially executed by contract with the Kansas Soybean Association, to continue state projects unrelated to policy or membership.
“The soybean checkoff exists to improve profitability for soybean farmers, so it’s very important to get all our priorities in line with what we need for production,” Miller says. “That’s where your checkoff dollars are making a big difference for the future of the soybean industry.”
The soybean checkoff, in which farmers contribute one-half of one percent of the sale price of their soybeans, generates the funding available for investment each year. Through means like increasing efficiency of soybean production or finding new ways to use the crop after harvest, farmers receive back $12.30 of added value for every dollar they pay into the checkoff, according to a study done at Cornell University.
Further details about individual projects included in the budget are expected to be released ahead of the fiscal year. Information about how the soybean checkoff is working on behalf of farmers is always available at www.kansassoybeans.org or by contacting Administrator Kaleb Little at 785-271-1040.
About Kansas Soybean:
The Kansas Soybean Commission, established in 1977, includes nine volunteer farmer-commissioners who are elected by their peers. They oversee investments of the legislated “soybean checkoff” assessment in research, consumer information, market development, industry relations and farmer outreach to improve the profit opportunities for all Kansas soybean farmers.
