Letter From the Chairman

By Jason Frerichs, Chairman of the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council

When news broke during the 2022 soybean harvest that the Mississippi River couldn’t sustain normal barge traffic, we were immediately concerned about the effect on basis. Fortunately, with previous and current checkoff investments, soybean farmers have access to options.

Fortunately, the PNW and Grays Harbor export facilities can accept our soybeans on unit trains allowing soybeans and soybean meal to be exported. Our soybean checkoff at the state and national level has invested in the PNW to ensure sound export options. When soybean harvest reached the end, basis only strengthened giving more money to our soybean farmers.

All soybean checkoff investments must meet the federal Act and Order criteria to be eligible and at the state and national level, we have the correct checks and balances. Infrastructure is an important checkoff investment coupled with our work to expand trade options, consumer education, research, communication, and further livestock development.

I feel fortunate to serve with a diverse board of directors. We are all elected from one of the nine districts that cover South Dakota. We have directors who are very involved in soy consumer education/nutrition, poultry export markets, pork and red meat exports, renewable/clean fuels diesel, and soy aquaculture. Many of our directors also serve on boards in our state representing the soybean industry such as South Dakota Value Added Agriculture.

This spring, we have an election for three of our directors: districts 1, 2, and 8. The three-year term starts July 1st. If you are interested in running for the board please contact the SD Soybean office at (605) 330-9942 or info@sdsoybean.org. In order to be a qualified candidate, you must raise soybeans and reside in the district up for election. You will also need to have 15 soybean growers in your district sign a petition. The election is typically held in May. Please reach out to existing board members if you are interested in serving now or in the future.

JASON FRERICHS SDSRPC Chairman