United Soybean Board Vice Chair Matt Gast, Valley City, says return on investment will remain the board’s top priority. Gast, who has served on the board since 2019 and on its executive committee since 2021, says the role comes at a critical time for U.S. soybean producers. Gast pointed to market expansion, new uses, and reduced reliance on a single buyer as ongoing priorities. China remains the top customer, but USB is working with global partners to diversify markets. He also highlighted the continued payoff of the soybean checkoff. “For every dollar that a farmer invests in the checkoff, they get $12.30 back in return. That’s a really huge number, and everything we can find for soybeans to go into moves the needle that much more every time.”
