Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board Releases 2019 Research Report The report outlines checkoff investments, offers production information to growers
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (August 26, 2019) – The Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board (ASPB) has released its 2019 Arkansas Checkoff-Funded Research Report, which outlines research allocations and includes details on every soybean production research project in the 2019 fiscal year. The purpose of the report is to provide valuable production information and transparency to Arkansas soybean growers.
The 44 checkoff-funded projects are categorized in 11 impact areas. Projects under the breeding, plant pathology and agronomy categories received the most funding. Other categories of research include irrigation, weed management and entomology. The research results included in the report will help producers address the challenging growing season ahead. The body of the report breaks down each research area by project. The supporting researchers of each project are listed, along with a brief summary, highlighting its value to the soybean industry.
“We produced the annual report to show Arkansas growers how the checkoff funds are used and to provide growers with tools to address the issues that impact us most,” Rusty Smith, chairman of the board and Woodruff County soybean grower said. “We’re in a tough business and the information we received from research partners directly supports Arkansas growers.”
Arkansas, ranked 10th in the nation for soybean production, harvests the crop in 41 of the state’s 75 counties. The $1.7 billion industry produced 178.5 million bushels in 2018. In 2019, soybeans cover around 2.6 million acres in Arkansas, more than rice, wheat, corn and sorghum combined. This makes soybeans the largest row crop in the state.
Each bushel earns a rate of 0.5 percent market price. These checkoff collections are allocated to various areas of research, market development, promotion and expansion.
ASPB distributed the research report to soybean growers via mail and the report is available online. Request a report on ASPB’s website at TheMiracleBean.com and on Facebook or Twitter.
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Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board
The Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board consists of soybean producers appointed by the Governor and nominated by various producer organizations within Arkansas. Although board members contribute many hours of their time to administering the program, they serve without pay.