MSPB Chairman Update

Hello, Mississippi soybean farmers!

First, I’d like to introduce myself. I’m Jan de Regt, soybean farmer from Hollandale, Miss. and chairman of your Mississippi Soybean Promotion Board (MSPB) for 2012-2013. Second, I would like to thank Mr. Jimmy Sneed for his service as chairman of MSPB for the last two years. His excellent leadership of the board ensured that every dollar invested on behalf of Mississippi soybean farmers had the greatest possible return. Finally, I want to thank the other farmer-leaders of the promotion board for the trust they put in me to be the next chairman.

MSPB met in late January to secure a budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The goal of MSPB is to invest checkoff funds for the betterment of Mississippi soybean farmers. With the approval of our 2013 budget, I believe our board did just that. As the demand for knowledge continues to grow we want to ensure that the returns on checkoff investments help farmers make better educated decisions for their operations.

Before investing in any research projects, MSPB tests each one for several variables.  The primary consideration is the expected impact of the research on Mississippi soybean production, which is often expressed in terms of increased value of total state production in bushels or dollars. Some projects focus on improving the quality and quantity of our soybeans, such as determining the cause of seed rot.  Others focus on improving our overall farm operations, by improving efficiency in irrigation, for example.

MSPB also invests in soybean research education, through fellowships, an endowed chair and outreach to college and high school students. In this way, Mississippi soybean farmers ensure that research talent continues to be developed for the future university needs.

All in all, rest assured that myself and other members of MSPB will continue to do our very best to invest your checkoff dollars for the maximum return to you and all Mississippi soybean farmers.

Jan de Regt

MSPB Chairman and Hollandale soybean farmer