About the Checkoff

The Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act established the national soybean checkoff program in 1990. The Department of Agriculture established the United Soybean Board, a farmer-led organization, to administer the program on a national level.

Many soybean growing states also have a Qualified State Soybean Board (QSSB) charged with collecting and administering the checkoff on a state level. In Iowa, the Iowa Soybean Board (ISB) serves as the states QSSB.

Graphic showing how the checkoff works

Downloadable SPARC Form

SPARC form must be completed and accompany the monthly checkoff remittance payments.
Checkoff in Action

Find out how the soybean checkoff benefits farmers in Iowa by increasing their profitability and sustainability.

FAQs

What is the soybean checkoff rate?

0.5% or .005 (one-half of one percent), 50 cents for every $100 of sales. It is to be collected on the net sales price. NET is after moisture and quality discounts or premiums, but before any deductions for storage, handling, trucking or other services.
Can a producer get a refund on their soybean checkoff?

As of October 1, 1995 refunds from the National Checkoff were eliminated. A producer may direct that his or her total assessment be forwarded to the United Soybean Board by requesting a refund from the State program.

QSSB Producer Redirection of Checkoff Assessments Form
Is the checkoff used for any legislative activities?

By law, no checkoff dollars can be used to fund legislative activities. Those activities are funded by other means such as the ISA Advocate Membership.
What are soybean checkoff dollars used for?

Checkoff dollars are used to ensure the long-term competitiveness of Iowa soybean farmers by:

  • Building domestic and global demand along with seeking new uses to strengthen soybean sales;
  • Conducting and sharing farmer-focused agronomic and conservation research and results to improve soybean yields and sustainability;
  • Providing information tailored to the needs of Iowa soybean farmers, enabling timely decision making and offering important news and updates.

Learn more about these three key areas here.
Where should I mail checkoff remittance?

Remittance payments and completed, signed forms should be mailed to:

Iowa Soybean Association
PO Box 8174
Des Moines, IA 50301
How do I declare non-producer status?

Form LS-48 must be completed by a seller to prove the soybeans have already been checked off.

Additional resources

Organic Exemption Request Form

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service announced the final rules on January 14, 2005, for the exemption for organic producers and marketers from payment assessments under research and promotion boards, to be effective 30 days from publication.

The final rule states that in order to obtain an assessment exemption, a person must operate under a NOP-approved organic system plan and must produce and market only commodities eligible for a "100 percent organic" label under the National Organic Program (NOP). This applies to all commodities produced and marketed by the person, not only those covered by the applicable research and promotion program under which the exemption is sought.

In order to qualify for an exemption, Iowa organic producers and marketers must apply to the United Soybean Board, 16305 Swingley Ridge Rd. Ste 150, 63017. The form requests the following information: the applicant’s name, name and address of the company, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail address (optional), a copy of the applicant’s organic farm or organic handling certificate provided by a USDA-accredited certifying agent under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, and a signed certification that the applicant meets all of the requirements specified for an assessment exemption. This signed certification includes providing a list of commodities marketed by the applicant and assertions that the applicant is not a split operation and produces and markets only products eligible to be labeled as 100% organic.

Click here to download the exemption application forms or call 515-251-8640 to request a copy by mail.

Organic producers and marketers must apply for the exemption annually.
Soybean request for referendum

A Request for Referendum is an opportunity for producers to say they would like to be offered a referendum on the Soybean Checkoff Program. The Request for Referendum is conducted every 5 years. Additional information and a FAQ can be found on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Soybean Request for Referendum page.