Soybean organizations sever ties in dispute over checkoff dollars
by Megan Graves, posted Feb. 23, 2009
The American Soybean Association and the United Soybean Board, a team that once worked like a well-oiled machine, have taken their relationship to a new level; they severed it completely.
The ASA, a membership run organization that represents soybean farmers, has asked the USDA to investigate serious allegations against the USB. The USB finances research for new uses and marketing of soybeans and is made up of 68 farmer-directors who are appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. They receive money through The National Soybean Checkoff program, which is the heart of all the trouble.
In a news release, ASA has claimed that the USB mismanaged the use of soybean checkoff money and programs. Some of the allegations brought against the USB include mishandling of soybean checkoff funds, conflicts of interest, inappropriate employee relationships, and possible avoidance of salaries and administrative caps.
“It’s a complex issue, with several different factors,” said Adam Buckallew, director of public relations for the Missouri Soybean Board. “ASA and USB have had disagreements in the past and that may have led up to some of this.”
The USB is standing by its work and the integrity of its directors. According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, in 1990 U.S. soybean production was 1.92 billion bushels, average yield of 34 bushels per acre. The predicted soybean production and average yield for 2008 is 2.92 billion bushels and 39.3 bushels per acre, respectively. This increase in yield is credited to the USB’s investment of checkoff funds.
The two organizations have been working together since the start of the USB in 1991. ASA began doing contract work for USB, but throughout the years, that has dissolved. The USB currently does its contract work with another firm.
ASA continues to lobby for the soybean industry, ultimately doing what both organizations wanted in the first place: to help soybean farmers. In light of recent events however, that mutual help could be lost forever.
What does the fight between these two organizations mean for Missouri farmers? Since members of both reside in Missouri, there are different opinions. Some ASA members support the National Soybean Checkoff program, but want to change the way the money is handled.
In a news release from ASA, John Hoffman, ASA president, is quoted as saying, “It is ASA’s responsibility to ensure that the soybean checkoff, and other entities the checkoff has created, are operating in an accountable and transparent manner in the best interest of soybean farmers.”
Others, like Missouri soybean farmer Brooks Hurst, believe that the USB and the checkoff funds have done a good job.
