Dave Walton, secretary of the American Soybean Association and a farmer from Wilton, Iowa, testified today before the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management and Credit, emphasizing the importance of reauthorizing the U.S. Grain Standards Act. Under the Grain Standards Act, the federal government established official marketing standards (not health and safety standards) for grains and oilseeds, which are overseen by the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS).
Walton told lawmakers that U.S. soybeans remain the nation’s top agricultural export and a critical driver of the economy. In 2024, farmers harvested 86 million acres of soybeans, producing 4.4 billion bushels and supporting more than $124 billion in total economic activity across related industries.
“Our strong grain standards, backed by the force and weight of the U.S. government, are one of the strongest reputational enhancements available to U.S. soybean farmers,” Walton said in prepared testimony.
He highlighted the vital role of FGIS in ensuring consistent and trusted grading, which provides assurance to global buyers and underpins price discovery and futures markets. He also pointed to the successful removal of “soybeans of other colors” as a grading factor, an example of effective collaboration between the industry and USDA.
ASA represents nearly 500,000 soybean farmers through its 26 affiliated state associations. The group is urging Congress to reauthorize the act before its key provisions expire on Sept. 30.
