Yield, Composition, and the Soybean Checkoff.

The goals of the United Soybean Board Production Program are to increase yield by 1) protecting existing yield potential from biological and environmental stresses and 2) increasing genetic yield potential, and to improve soybean composition to meet the needs of end users better.  This includes increasing protein levels so all soybeans can make high pro soybean meal, decreasing phytate phosphorus and increasing the feed value of meal by increasing digestible sugars.  It also includes modifying fatty acid content in oil to reduce or eliminate the need for partial hydrogenation and resultant trans-fats and reducing saturated fatty acids to make a healthier oil. All of these objectives involve changing the genetics of soybeans.  Thus,  development of genomics tools and support of plant breeding are important to achieving USB’s objectives.
The USB production committee funds research projects to meet these goals.   Many of the projects are ongoing with established teams and involving activities that require many years to come to fruition.  However, the committee also issues requests for proposals (RFPs) for new research for which they have identified a need and accepts unsolicited proposals to the USB web site.  Decisions on such proposals are based on 1) addressing a strategic goal 2) being technically and scientifically feasible 3) similar research not already being funded and 4) availability of funds. 
To date good progress has been achieved in developing genomics tools.  Drought tolerant germplasm has been released to the breeder community.  Low linolenic oil is on the market and low linolenic/mid-oleic oil is being tested by food companies.  Low phytate/increased metabolizable sugar meal is in feeding tests with swine and poultry.  Genes and markers for resistance to several plant diseases have been identified and mapped.