Begun in 1983, this market order board has seven members who represent some 14,000 soybean growers. Its purpose is research, new product development, national and international marketing, and education.
The board is responsible for the oversight of an annual assessment of approximately $3.6 million. The assessment rate is two cents per bushel, with about 100 pounds of soybeans per bushel.
Often called the miracle crop, soybeans are the world's foremost provider of protein and oil. Planted in late spring, the leafy plant produces 60 to 80 pods, each containing three pea-sized beans. A 60-pound bushel produces about 48 pounds of protein-rich meal and 11 pounds of oil.
Wisconsin soybean growers harvested 105 million bushels of soybeans in 2023. They planted 2.15 million acres of soybeans in 2024.
Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board directors, each of whom serves a three-year-term, are:
- District 1: Andy Bensend, Dallas
Includes Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Iron, Marathon, Portage, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, Washburn, and Wood counties - District 2: Justin Bauer, Eau Galle
Includes Buffalo, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, St. Croix, and Trempealeau counties - District 3: Kevin Bork, Grand Marsh
Includes Adams, Crawford, Grant, Juneau, La Crosse, Monroe, Richland, Sauk, and Vernon counties - District 4: Jonathan Gibbs, Fox Lake (President)
Includes Columbia, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Marquette, Waushara, and Winnebago counties - District 5: Patrick Mullooly, Clinton
Includes Dane, Green, Iowa, Lafayette, and Rock counties - District 6: Steve Wilkens, Random Lake (Secretary/Treasurer)
Includes Jefferson, Kenosha, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington, and Waukesha counties - District 7: Matt Wagenson, Bear Creek (Vice President)
Includes Brown, Calumet, Door, Florence, Forest, Kewaunee, Langlade, Lincoln, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Shawano, Vilas, and Waupaca counties
Contact
More information about the board is available by writing to the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board at 4414 Regent St., Ste 1, P.O. Box 2035, Madison, WI 54705-7522, or phoning (608) 274-7522.
Questions regarding elections may be directed to:
DATCP Market Orders Program