Today, ASA President Josh Gackle (ND), testified at a Senate Appropriations Committee subcommittee field hearing titled “Perspectives on the Future of Agriculture Research and Technology.” The hearing, hosted by the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies, was led by North Dakota Senator John Hoeven.
Gackle, who operates a family farm with his father and brother, shared insights on the significant impact of agriculture on the U.S. economy. His written statement is available here.
During his testimony, Gackle emphasized the transformative benefits of agriculture research and technology for soybean farmers. He highlighted how these advancements help generate a stable and sustainable supply of soybeans, improve farmer resilience, drive product development and market demand, and build efficient infrastructure. “These benefits flow to farmers and throughout the entire value chain,” Gackle stated.
As a third-generation farmer, Gackle underscored the importance of agricultural research by referencing ASA’s Policy Resolutions book. This year’s edition includes 26 resolutions focused on supporting and maintaining a viable, profitable, resilient, and sustainable soybean industry. “To plant, market, and transport over 80 million acres of soybeans each year, we rely on ag research and technology to move us forward,” he noted.
Gackle discussed various research and technology impacts, including precision ag technologies that enhance input efficiencies but face affordability challenges, seed technologies for production in colder climates, mental health initiatives for farmers, new end uses and global markets for soy, and efficient infrastructure for crop transportation.
He also highlighted the contributions of farmers to research and innovation through the soy checkoff, stressing the importance of protecting this funding mechanism from harmful amendments during appropriations or farm bill reauthorization processes. The full list of witnesses, including U.S. Senators, USDA representatives, and agriculture and academic experts, can be found here.
