Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board

What Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board does

The Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board (WSMB) is a Wisconsin state government entity established in 1983 that invests soybean checkoff dollars on behalf of roughly 17,000 Wisconsin soybean farmers producing over 100 million bushels annually across approximately 2.3 million acres. Its mission is to increase farmer profitability through production research, market development (domestic and international), new-uses commercialization, promotion, and education. Under the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Program (SPARC), first purchasers collect a 0.5% assessment at the point of sale, with funds split 50/50 between WSMB and the United Soybean Board; WSMB's reported ROI is $12.34 per checkoff dollar invested.

WSMB's product and program portfolio spans four primary lines: (1) production research partnerships with UW-Madison Extension (Dr. Shawn Conley, Dr. Damon Smith, Dr. Rodrigo Werle) covering herbicide resistance, weed and disease management, fertility, soil health, and seed treatments, hosted on CoolBean.info and Badger Crop Doc; (2) market development through USSEC, Northern Soy Marketing, Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance, and WISHH, plus export infrastructure at the DeLong Co. Port of Milwaukee facility (Phase II completed April 2026); (3) new-uses commercialization including biodiesel (B20 adds $31.82/acre and 63¢/bushel), SoyFoam PFAS-free firefighting foam, RePlay asphalt preservation, and Roof Maxx soy-fusion roof treatment; and (4) consumer/education programs including Soy Forward magazine, the Farm Kid Energy series, and the Checkoff Pro remittance platform launched October 2025. WSMB operates alongside the separately governed Wisconsin Soybean Association (WSA), a voluntary-membership advocacy organization founded in 1973 that handles policy activities prohibited for checkoff funds.

Name

Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board

Legal name

Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board

Website

https://wisoybean.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board is a state checkoff entity that invests 0.5%-of-price soybean assessments into research, market development, and new uses on behalf of roughly 17,000 Wisconsin soybean farmers producing 100+ million bushels annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Madison

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Soybean Checkoff Assessment: The Federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Program (SPARC) requires soybean farmers to contribute one-half of one percent of the price of each bushel at the first point of sale. Funds are split 50/50 between Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board and United Soybean Board.
2. WSA Voluntary Membership Dues: Wisconsin Soybean Association relies on voluntary membership dues since checkoff dollars cannot be used for policy activities. Membership options include $150 for 3-year membership and $250 for Family Farm Membership.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board (WSMB) is an elected, farmer-led state checkoff board that collects one-half of one percent of the soybean sale price at first point of sale and invests those funds into production research, new and existing market development, promotion, and education to increase Wisconsin soybean farmer profitability. Operates alongside the Wisconsin Soybean Association (WSA), which handles policy advocacy through voluntary membership dues.

Product overview

Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board (WSMB) is a farmer-led checkoff organization that invests soybean checkoff dollars into research, market development, and promotion. WSMB operates alongside the Wisconsin Soybean Association (WSA), a separate advocacy organization. Key programs include biodiesel initiatives, SoyFoam (PFAS-free firefighting foam), RePlay asphalt preservation, Roof Maxx roof treatment, the Checkoff Pro remittance platform, Farm Kid Energy consumer campaign, Soy Forward magazine, and the annual Soybean Yield Contest. Research resources include CoolBean.info and Badger Crop Doc. WSMB directs investments across production research, market development, new uses, promotion, and education to increase farmer profitability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SoyFoam: A PFAS-free firefighting foam made from soybeans, created by Cross Plains Solutions. SoyFoam is the first and only Greenscreen Certified Gold Fire Foam, made with soy flour.
• RePlay
• Roof Maxx

Products and services

• Checkoff Pro Platform A web- and mobile-friendly checkoff remittance platform used by first purchasers of Wisconsin soybeans (processors, seed producers, elevators, terminals, truckers, and extruders) to submit monthly checkoff reports and remit one-half of one percent of soybean sale price.
• Soybean Yield Contest Annual contest administered by the Wisconsin Soybean Association that recognizes Wisconsin soybean farmers for innovative management practices and yields, with statewide category awards.
• WSA Membership Voluntary farmer membership program with WSA offering policy advocacy, registration discounts to industry events, and benefits including Soy Forward magazine. Available in 3-year individual ($150) or Family Farm ($250) tiers.
• WSA Clean Fuels Soybean Classic Annual golf fundraising event hosted by the Wisconsin Soybean Association and Clean Fuels Alliance America. Includes 18 holes of golf, cart rental, meal, and drink tickets, priced at $100 per person or $400 for a four-person team.

Quantifiable outcome

• B20 biodiesel adds $31.82 per acre to soybean farmer revenue
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• DeLong CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026DeLong Company's Agricultural Maritime Export Facility at Port of Milwaukee, completed April 2026 with Phase II expansion, enhances capacity to export U.S. soybeans and soybean meal with capability to load vessels up to 22,000 metric tons.
• University of Wisconsin-Madison ExtensioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWSMB works closely with UW-Madison Extension researchers including Dr. Shawn Conley (Professor, Soybean and Small Grain Specialist), Dr. Damon Smith (Plant Pathology), Dr. Rodrigo Werle (Cropping Systems Weed Scientist), and others on research projects covering herbicide resistance, weed control, fertility, AI utilization, soil management, seed treatments, and disease management. WSMB funds CoolBean.info and Badger Crop Doc resources.
• U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational marketing partner focusing on differentiating, elevating preference, and attaining market access for U.S. soy for human consumption, aquaculture, and livestock feed in 80+ countries internationally.
• Specialty Soya and Grains AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational association focused on production, processing and shipping of U.S. Identity Preserved field crops and related products worldwide, providing resources that communicate quality, diversity and availability.
• Northern Soy MarketingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFarmer-leader board formed by soybean checkoff boards of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Invests in research on soybean quality and Critical Amino Acid Value (CAAV) levels in northern-grown soybeans.
• World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerU.S. soy's catalyst for trade in developing and emerging markets, working to guide and foster business development with local entrepreneurs where markets show potential long-term. Program of American Soybean Association funded by soybean checkoff.
• Soy Transportation Coalition (STC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTC uses state checkoff money to create, improve and organize transportation systems for 16 states. WSMB Representative Andy Bensend helps ensure STC addresses Wisconsin's transportation needs including Port of Milwaukee expansion.
• Clean Fuels Alliance AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry organization supporting sustainable biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel growth, serving as central coordinating entity for technical, environmental and quality assurance programs.
• Cross Plains SolutionscoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerCreated SoyFoam, a PFAS-free firefighting foam made with soy flour. SoyFoam is the first and only Greenscreen Certified Gold Fire Foam, developed with WSMB support.
• Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical advisor for Farmers for Soil Health Program in Wisconsin, Minnesota and South Dakota. CTIC promotes widespread use of economically and environmentally beneficial agricultural systems including cover crop adoption.
• North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional initiative coordinating soybean production research efforts on a regional level. Comprised of state soybean checkoff boards in Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
• United Soybean BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational board of 62 farmer directors representing soybean-producing states. Checkoff funds are split 50/50 between WSMB and USB. USB conducts research for expanded use of soybeans and implements promotional programs.
• United Soybean BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWSMB funds CoolBean.info resource, Badger Crop Doc website, free nematode testing, and sponsors programs through UW-Madison.
• Corteva-AgriSciencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWSMB invests in Corteva-AgriScience Young Leader Program held in conjunction with American Soybean Association to ensure future leaders for Wisconsin soy industry.
• Wisconsin Agriculture in the ClassroomminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWSMB invests in youth education by providing resources and volunteer hours to teaching teachers about agriculture, ensuring teachers have tools necessary to teach agriculture to students.
• Wisconsin Corn Promotion BoardmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-funds Badger Crop Network with WSMB, highlighting information from UW-Madison researchers.
• Wisconsin Soybean Association (WSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeparate farmer-led advocacy organization working on policy issues. WSA is state affiliate of American Soybean Association. By law, checkoff dollars cannot be used for policy activities, making WSA's advocacy role essential.
• BioSpan TechnologiesminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerDeveloped RePlay Agricultural Oil and Preservation Agent, a patented biobased technology made up of 88 percent biobased products, half from soybean oil, which makes asphalt last longer.
• Roof MaxxminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerCompany using United Soybean Board investment to develop soy-fusion technology that soaks shingles in bio-oil to restore flexibility and extend roof life.
• American Soybean AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational advocacy group representing soybean farmers in Washington D.C. WSA is a member of ASA with two directors on the ASA board.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• United Soybean Board: National soybean checkoff board that receives the other 50% of every Wisconsin checkoff dollar under the federal SPARC program. Most directly comparable as a checkoff-funded farmer-led promotion, research, and market development entity operating at national scale.
• Illinois Soybean Association: State-level soybean checkoff and membership organization serving Illinois growers, the second-largest soybean-producing state. Directly comparable in funding mechanism (state checkoff plus voluntary dues) and program portfolio (research, market development, advocacy).
• Iowa Soybean Association: Largest U.S. soybean state organization combining checkoff-funded research/promotion (Iowa Soybean Research Center) with membership-driven policy advocacy — the same dual structure WSMB and WSA operate in Wisconsin.
• Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council: Minnesota's state soybean checkoff board and a direct co-investor with WSMB through Northern Soy Marketing, sharing investments in northern-grown soybean quality research and Critical Amino Acid Value positioning.
• Indiana Soybean Alliance: Indiana's state checkoff and policy organization for soybean farmers, operating a similar structure of farmer-elected directors directing checkoff investments into research, market development, and new uses.

Regional players

• Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board: Wisconsin's sister state checkoff board for corn growers, co-funding the Badger Crop Network with WSMB. Operates the same checkoff-funded farmer-led investment model in the same geography on a parallel commodity.

Broad incumbents

• American Soybean Association: National soybean advocacy organization with WSA representation on its board; ASA plays the policy role that checkoff-funded entities like WSMB are statutorily barred from playing, making it a natural incumbent counterpart in the soybean ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wisconsin-soybean-marketing-board
• Xx.com/WISoybean
• Facebookfacebook.com/WisconsinSoybeanMarketingBoard

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board