New York gets more say in national soybean policy, North Dakota gets less

The US Department of Agriculture has adjusted the number of representatives on the United Soybean Board. New York will gain one seat, and North Dakota will lose one seat, keeping the total number of board members at 77. This change reflects shifts in soybean production levels across states and will take effect with new appointments in 2025.

The United Soybean Board controls how checkoff dollars are spent on research and promotion. These are mandatory fees collected from soybean farmers. More representation means more influence over how those funds are allocated, which can affect research priorities, market development, and even political lobbying for the industry. This small shift in board seats means New York's soybean growers will have a louder voice in national decisions, while North Dakota's will have slightly less.