LITTLE ROCK, AR –The Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board approved $4,387,032.75 in funding for 96 research and promotion projects at its March 12–13, 2026 public meeting. The approved projects will support the growth and market development of Arkansas’s soybean industry.
“The Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board is entrusted with allocating checkoff funds and ensuring that investments are made to secure the tools and resources needed to support growth and competitiveness,” said Brad Doyle, Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board Chair. “Each year, the board convenes to consider promotion and research project proposals and to determine which projects best benefit Arkansas’s soybean industry and producers, the state’s top row crop.”
The board received 111 total proposals requesting more than $5.2 million in funding. Of those, 31 promotion projects totaling $669,378.00 and 65 research projects totaling $3,717,654.75 were approved for fiscal year 2027. The request for proposals was open from December 5, 2025, to January 31, 2026.
Promotion projects selected for funding are as follows:
Ag Learning Center at Four States Fair & Rodeo, Ag Learning Center Educational Program – $10,000.00
This project provides interactive, hands-on learning experiences for students to understand soybean production and its role in everyday products.
American Soybean Association, 2027 SoyStats Funding Proposal – $750.00
This funding maintains a data-driven resource used by media and industry partners to track soybean production and market trends.
American Soybean Association, 2027 Soybean Leadership Academy Proposal – $3,000.00
This academy builds stronger state and national leaders through expert-led sessions on governance and agricultural policy.
American Soybean Association, 2027 Arkansas Biomass-Based Diesel Initiative (BBDI) Funding Proposal – $5,000.00
This initiative protects soy oil demand by advocating federal and state policies that support the biomass-based diesel market.
American Soybean Association, 2027 Economic Analysis and Support Proposal – Arkansas – $5,000.00
This project provides Arkansas farmers with data-driven insights into trade, renewable fuels, and pesticide policy.
American Soybean Association, 2027 Action Partnership Membership Proposal – $6,000.00
This partnership brings together growers and industry partners to influence long-term strategies and address shared challenges.
American Soybean Association, 2027 Awards Celebration Sponsorship Proposal – $6,000.00
This national celebration recognizes excellence in conservation and leadership within the soybean community.
American Soybean Association, 2027 Innovation to Market (I2M) Work Group Membership Proposal – $7,500.00
This membership ensures Arkansas growers have a voice in national discussions regarding regulatory access to new seed and pesticide technologies.
American Soybean Association, 2027 Young Leaders Program Proposal – $9,200.00
This program develops the next generation of industry leaders through training in communications and organizational leadership.
Arkansas 4-H Foundation and Arkansas FFA Foundation, Joint Funding Proposal for Promotion of Education on Corn, Sorghum, and Soybeans for Arkansas 4-H and FFA – $15,000.00
This funding supports state officers’ attendance at the Commodity Classic to prepare them as agricultural ambassadors and future leaders.
Arkansas FFA Foundation, Investment in Leadership Development – Agricultural Education, Career Success, and FFA – $25,000.00
This project will fund leadership and agricultural advocacy curriculum at the Arkansas Leadership Conference.
Arkansas Soybean Association, Recognizing Soybean Production Excellence by the Continuance of the “Grow for the Green & Race for 100” Soybean Yield Challenge Contests – $206,900.00
This contest recognizes top producers and encourages the adoption of methods that increase overall grain yields across the state.
Arkansas State University Newport- Agriculture Technology Department, Soy to Soil- Community Agriculture Day at Arkansas State University Newport – $11,000.00
This leadership conference event increases public literacy regarding soybeans through interactive stations focused on sustainability, soil health, and career pathways.
Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, Chefs in the Garden – $6,500.00
This regional culinary event showcases the nutritional value and versatility of soybeans through chef engagement and consumer tasting experiences.
Clean Fuels Alliance America, State Market and Environmental Support – $20,000.00
This project provides analytical and strategic guidance to help the industry navigate complex state regulations for clean fuels.
Clean Fuels Alliance America, Market Expansion Drive – $20,000.00
This project uses targeted communications and educational assets to promote soybean-based fuels as viable energy solutions.
Cross County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee, Cross County Youth Ag Day – $10,000.00
This project hosts a youth education day at local elementary schools where students learn about farming and handle soybeans in various forms.
Soy Aquaculture Alliance, Qualified State Soybean Boards Membership – $25,000.00
This membership focuses on promoting the use of U.S. soy in fish feed through the Soy Aquaculture Alliance.
Three County Fair, All Things Soybeans – $13,840.00
This project provides youth and the community with educational experiences focused on soybean production and job opportunities in agriculture.
U.S. Meat Export Federation Membership: A U.S. Pork Promotion Partnership – $8,600.00
This membership supports global market development for United States pork, which directly benefits soybean producers by increasing demand for livestock feed.
U.S. Soybean Export Council, 2026 Soy Connext Sponsorship – $5,000.00
This global summit connects international buyers with U.S. suppliers to promote the value and reliability of U.S. soy products.
U.S. Soybean Export Council, 2026 Membership – $10,000.00
This membership supports international marketing experts who build a global preference for United States soy.
U.S. Soybean Export Council, Japan Soy Foods Support – $15,000.00
This project bolsters the Japanese natto industry by promoting the specific benefits of utilizing United States soybeans sourced from areas like Arkansas.
U.S. Soybean Export Council, Support of Soy Excellence Centers – $15,000.00
This workforce development initiative helps emerging markets tackle protein challenges while stimulating demand for United States soy.
U.S. Soybean Export Council, Utilization of U.S. Soy in the Americas – $25,000.00
This program differentiates United States soy from competitors and builds market share in the Americas through regional conferences and trade missions.
U.S. Soybean Export Council, U.S. Soy Promotion in Europe – $25,000.00
This initiative educates European customers on the sustainable solutions United States soybeans provide for animal production industries.
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Arkansas Future Agriculture Leaders Tours – $5,000.00
This program exposes students to real-world operations and career opportunities through a five-day professional development and industry tour.
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Poinsett County Ag Day – $8,070.00
This youth program connects children in Poinsett County with agriculture through hands-on educational activities.
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, The Arkansas Irrigation Yield Contest – $10,000.00
These funds provide prize money to winners of the irrigation contest to promote efficient water management practices.
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Soybean Science Challenge – $87,018.00
This educational program engages junior high and high school students in real-world, soybean-focused science curriculum and applied research.
World Initiative for Soy in Human Health program of American Soybean Association, World Initiative for Soy in Human Health Markets: Building Demand for U.S. Soy Trade Together – $50,000.00
This initiative builds demand for United States soy in emerging international markets by positioning it as a vital ingredient for feed and food manufacturers.
Research projects selected for funding include:
Chicot Insights, LLC, Developing Overhead Irrigation Recommendations for Arkansas Soybean Production – $41,020.00
This project aims to close the yield gap for overhead irrigation systems through optimized scheduling techniques.
Chicot Insights, LLC, Structural Irrigation Strategies that Improve Soybean Productivity, Profitability, and Aquifer Stability – $70,020.00
This work quantifies the water flow needed to optimize productivity while minimizing the irrigation demand on aquifers.
Iowa Soybean Association, Farmers Fueling the Future – $15,000.00
This work expands demand for soybeans in biofuel markets by addressing technical and regulatory modeling barriers.
Mid-South Soybean Board, Evaluating Early Soybean Productivity and Herbicide Efficacy – $3,015.50
Researchers are determining variety performance and the phytotoxicity of pre-emergent herbicides in early-planted soybean systems.
Mid-South Soybean Board, Beating the Rot: Improving Soybean Resistance to Phytophthora Root and Stem Root in the Mid-South – $3,750.00
This project aims to identify new genetic sources of resistance to help soybeans adapt to evolving soilborne pathogens.
Mid-South Soybean Board, Initiative of a Soybean Mutation Breeding Pipeline: Creation of Superior Traits Towards Quick Releasing Improved Soybean Varieties – $3,750.00
This establishes a pipeline to quickly develop and introduce beneficial mutations into elite soybean backgrounds.
Mid-South Soybean Board, Porous Soy Proteins for the Delivery of Vitamins – $5,500.00
This research upcycles soy proteins to develop a sustainable approach for encapsulating vitamins to enhance their bioavailability.
Mid-South Soybean Board, Enhanced Synthetic Microbiome Communities to Manage Sudden Death – $6,277.25
This project focuses on managing sudden death syndrome through specialized microbiome research.
Mid-South Soybean Board, Expanding Potential Market Demand For and Access to Whole Soy Foods through Nutrition Education – $7,500.00
This project provides nutrition education to consumers to increase market demand for food-grade soybeans.
Mid-South Soybean Board, Leveraging Photosynthetic Efficiency Traits for Improving Soybean Productivity in the Mid-South – $7,500.00
The project identifies traits and genes linked to high productivity to integrate them into breeding pipelines.
Mid-South Soybean Board, Foliar Boron Application to Minimize Flowers Abortion and Improve Yield in Soybean Under Drought/Ranfed Conditions – $7,500.00
Researchers are identifying boron application strategies to reduce flower loss and improve pod setting in drought-prone environments.
Mid-South Soybean Board, Novel Genetic Resources to Improve Soybean Seed Quality – $8,454.00
This project utilizes transgenic controls to address reduced seed quality caused by fungal pathogens in the early soybean production system.
Mid-South Soybean Board, Modernizing Phosphorus and Potassium Recommendations and Improving Return on Investment for Climate-Smart Corn – Cover Crop – Soybean Cropping System – $10,000.00
Field data will be used to update fertilizer recommendations to reflect the nutrient cycling benefits of cover crops.
Mid-South Soybean Board, Genetic Approaches for Enhancing Salt Tolerance in Soybean – $10,000.00
This project assesses genotypes to identify mechanisms for chloride tolerance to improve productivity on salt-affected soils.
Mid-South Soybean Board, Spray Application of Double Stranded RNA For Simultaneous Management of Multiple Soybean Fungal and Insect Disease – $11,956.00
This study enhances the stability and efficacy of foliar-applied RNA to suppress diseases in field conditions.
Mid-South Soybean Board, Unlocking Novel Genetic Pathways Involved in Syncytia Development for Durable Soybean Cyst Nematode Resistance – $13,544.00
This project validates new candidate genes that may restrict nematode feeding site formation to provide durable resistance.
Mid-South Soybean Board, Characterizing Soybean Genotypes for Phosphorus Efficiency – $14,253.00
This study identifies genetic variation for phosphorus efficiency to support breeding efforts in phosphorus-deficient soils.
Mid-South Soybean Board, Screening Elite Soybean Lines for Drought Tolerance and Developing High-Throughput Drought Screening Methodologies for The Mid-South – $16,250.00
The project identifies drought-tolerant lines and creates practical screening tools for breeders under real farming conditions.
Mid-South Soybean Board, Breeding Maturity Group 4 Soybean with Enhanced Resistance to Southern Root-Knot Nematode by Reducing Galling and Nematode Reproduction – $26,667.00
This breeding research focuses on enhancing resistance in maturity group 4 soybeans.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Acre/University of Maryland, Collaborative AgMet Graphics for Within-Season Crop Condition & Progress Tracking – $97,547.00
This collaborative project delivers satellite-based indicators of soybean condition to aid in precision management decisions.
The board approved $3,338,151.00 in funding for the following research projects from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
Arkansas Soybean Performance Trials
This project provides unbiased variety performance and seed composition data to producers and seed companies.
Comprehensive Disease Screening Soybean Varieties in Arkansas
Researchers screen all new cultivar entries for resistance to common and yield-limiting diseases like southern root-knot nematode.
Determining Factors Associated with Poor Grain Quality in Soybean and Management Options
This research determines best management practices and fungicide timings to minimize profit loss from poor seed quality.
Determining The Value of Fungicide Application Using On-Farm Trials
On-farm trials clarify when to apply fungicides and investigate the value of using drones for application.
Developing a Screening Pipeline and Candidate Gene Pool for Nematode Resistance in Soybean
This research develops a workflow to identify and characterize new genes that contribute to defenses against nematodes.
Development of a Turn-Row Soybean Vegetative Health Analysis Software Tool Using UAS Imagery for Production Decision Support
The project produces a user-friendly remote sensing tool that uses drones to analyze field health in near real-time.
Development of Data-Driven Recommendations for Variable Soybean Seeding Rate in Arkansas
On-farm data will be used to develop a tool that generates prescription maps for maximizing site-specific yields.
Development of High-yielding Soybean Cultivars with Broad Resilience to Stressors
This investment ensures the delivery of locally developed varieties that combine competitive yield and lower seed costs.
Development, Evaluation and Production of Agricultural Biologicals for Arkansas Crop Production
This project focuses on the discovery and production of microbials tailored specifically to Arkansas production environments.
Economics of Automatic Applications in Arkansas Soybean
The project evaluates whether automatic insecticide applications at the R3 stage are more profitable than an Integrated Pest Management approach.
Educating Growers and Consultants on Insect Monitoring and Control
This educational initiative provides scouting schools and sampling tools to help growers make economical pest management decisions.
Effects On Carcass Characteristics, Meat Quality, And Consumer Acceptability of Inclusion of Raw Whole Soybeans in Growing and Finishing Diets for Farm Finished Beef
This study investigates the impact of raw whole soybeans on beef quality, offering new markets for soybeans that cannot be processed.
Establishing A Long-Term Rotational Study
This study defines the long-term impacts of crop rotation in integrated soybean, rice, and corn production areas.
Evaluating Planting Date Decisions in the Soybean/Rice Rotation
Researchers examine optimal timing for planting to determine the economic benefits within a soybean and rice rotation.
Fast-Tracking MG4 Cultivars with Southern Root-Knot Nematode Resistance
Molecular markers and field screening are combined to accelerate the development of resistant soybean varieties.
Fertilization of Soybean
Fertilization trials are conducted to refine recommendations and maximize profitability related to plant nutrition.
Field Testing and Optimization of Biocontrol Products Targeting Palmer Amaranth (Pigweed)
The goal is to optimize fungal pathogens as bioherbicides for the chemical control of pigweed.
Field-Based Determination of Chloride Tolerance in Soybean
This research uses a field screening technique to clarify variety tolerance to high-chloride irrigation water.
Genomic Prediction and Biological Insight to Enhance the Efficiency of Soybean Breeding
Genomic datasets and prediction models are used to improve selection efficiency and genetic gain in breeding.
Immunomodulatory Effects of Isoflavones from Soybean Meal in Broilers Challenged with Coccidiosis
This study evaluates whether soy-derived isoflavones can improve the health and disease resistance of broiler chickens.
Improving Grain Yield Stability in Arkansas Soybean
The project identifies traits and genetic factors associated with stable soybean performance across diverse environments.
Improving Technology Transfer in Profitable and Sustainable Soybean
This project ensures that new research is distributed in a timely manner through Extension publications and news articles.
Increasing Adoption of Elevation Data and Irrigation Scheduling on Furrow-Irrigated Soybeans
This project uses elevation models and sensors to improve water distribution uniformity and the timing of irrigations.
Influence of Cover Crops and Soil Health on Soybean
Data from multi-year trials are used to develop a soybean-specific Arkansas soil health tool.
Integrated Management of Soybean Nematodes in Arkansas
This study evaluates the field efficacy of nematicides and the accuracy of varieties marketed as nematode-resistant.
Investigating Emerging Production Recommendations for Sustainable Soybean Production
Researchers investigate untested management inputs and insect control practices to maximize yield and seed quality.
Investigating The Effect of Growth Regulators on Soybean Plant Architecture and Yield
Trials evaluate the effectiveness of various growth regulators on increasing yields and managing plant height.
Monitor And Management of Fungicide-Resistant Soybean Disease in Arkansas
This project tests fungal pathogens for sensitivity to various fungicides to help prevent field-wide control failures.
Monitoring the Extent of Potassium Deficiency and Chloride Toxicity in Arkansas Soybean Fields
Researchers collect leaf samples to assess “hidden hunger” and nutrient toxicities costing farmers potential yield.
Overcoming Soybean Yield Plateau by Leveraging Physiology-Efficient and Yield-Formation Traits
Researchers identify physiological traits and genetic variation to support long-term increases in soybean productivity.
Phenotypic Selection Assisted by Seed-Level Near-Infrared Information
Near-Infrared-based prediction models are implemented to enhance the efficiency of the soybean breeding program.
Refining Insect Thresholds in Arkansas Soybeans
Research trials are used to develop cost-effective recommendations for managing major soybean insect pests.
Science for Success – Arkansas Support for National Soybean Research and Extension Program
Arkansas researchers contribute to a national program developing best management practices for soybean farmers.
Screening Arkansas Soybean Cultivars for Protein Quality as a Novel Food Preservative
Soy peptides are investigated as natural alternatives to synthetic food preservatives to create value-added markets.
Screening For Soybean Tolerance to Metribuzin
This project involves greenhouse screening of varieties to assess their tolerance to widely used preemergence herbicides.
Soybean Enterprise Budgets and Production Economic Analysis
This project develops flexible enterprise budgets that represent the various alternative production practices of Arkansas farmers.
Soybean Germplasm Enhancement Using Genetic Diversity
Diverse germplasm is identified and incorporated to expand the genetic resources available for yield and stress tolerance.
Soybean Potential Yield Map and Yield Gap Analysis for Arkansas
This project quantifies biologically attainable yields and identifies the primary causes of yield gaps across the state.
Soybean Research Verification Program
This program verifies University recommendations on a large-scale field basis while maintaining economic data for individual fields.
Soybean Weed Management: A Team Approach for Improved Control and Profitability
The team evaluates emerging technologies and develops unbiased solutions for managing herbicide-resistant weeds.
The Arkansas Discovery Farm
This ongoing database documents the impact of agricultural practices on runoff water quality and soil health on real farms.
Understanding Taproot Decline, Septoria Brown Spot, And Orange Leaf Spot; Soybean Diseases of Increasing Importance in Arkansas
Researchers refine management strategies and develop thresholds for fungicide applications for emerging diseases.
Use Of Gossypol to Inhibit Reproduction as a Model for Feral Swine Control
This research evaluates whether gossypol baiting can be used as a model to reduce invasive feral hog populations.
Utilization of Winter Nursery for Soybean Line Development through Backcrossing
Off-season nurseries are used to accelerate the development of herbicide-resistant varieties adapted to Arkansas.
Water Management Advancements for Irrigated Soybeans
The focus is to develop and promote tools that improve water management and yield stability for irrigated soybeans.
The board is funded through an assessment of .25 percent of the market price of all soybeans grown within Arkansas. Assessments are collected by the first purchaser at the point of sale.
The board consists of nine members who are soybean producers in Arkansas. Members are appointed to two-year terms by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.
Learn more about the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board on the Department’s website here.
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Media Contact: Ayden Duncan, (501) 813-6012
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