Soy Checkoff invites farmers to prove the quality of their crop; Sample submission deadline is Oct. 21

United States soybean farmers have a free, straightforward way to prove the quality of their crop to the world. Through the Annual Soybean Quality Survey, funded by the Soy Checkoff^SM, farmers can send in a sample from their 2026 harvest at no cost and receive a personalized report on its quality. Samples are due Oct. 21, 2026, and the effort helps position U.S. soy as the premium choice for customers around the globe.

Since 1986, the Annual Soybean Quality Survey has documented the quality of the U.S. soybean crop, one sample at a time. The survey is led by Dr. Seth Naeve, professor of agronomy and plant genetics at the University of Minnesota. Farmer participation supports the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) in building international marketing programs on behalf of the Soy Checkoff.

“Every sample a farmer sends in makes our picture of U.S. soybean quality more complete,” said Dr. Naeve. “That information travels with our crop to customers around the world and helps them understand the real value of what American farmers grow.”

As the global marketplace grows more competitive, U.S. soy increasingly wins on value and quality rather than price alone. Survey data gives buyers a clear, science-based picture of the protein, oil value and overall composition of the U.S. crop, and it helps ensure every growing region is represented at global buyers’ conferences. When farmers include the seed company and variety with their sample, they also help researchers identify which varieties deliver the most value to international customers.

How to participate

• Request a free sample kit at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdkfTxIvYahxiqlSodvh34zZr5uUwggk2zpmJN-YqNym1zn9w/viewform?usp=dialogor z.umn.edu/soybean-quality. Each kit includes simple instructions and a postage-paid sample bag.
• Scan the QR code on the bag to record your information quickly and accurately.
• Return your sample by Oct. 21, 2026. Samples are accepted through mid-December, but returning early helps ensure your region is represented.
• Receive your personalized results by mid-December.
• View the full survey report in January 2027 at https://z.umn.edu/SoyQualityReports, where past reports are also available.
• All individual results are kept strictly confidential. Only aggregated data appears in the final report.

“Taking a few minutes to send in a sample is one of the easiest ways to invest in the reputation of U.S. soy,” said Cindy Pulskamp, a USB farmer-leader from North Dakota. “It costs nothing, and it helps every soybean farmer compete in markets here and abroad.”

Farmers can learn more about the Annual Soybean Quality Survey and access past reports at https://z.umn.edu/SoyQualityReports.