“We rely on ag research and technology to move us forward”

Gackle Testifies, photo credit Office of Senator Hoeven

ASA President Josh Gackle of Kulm, North Dakota, was invited to testify August 15 at a Senate Appropriations Committee subcommittee field hearing titled, “Perspectives on the Future of Agriculture Research and Technology.” His written statement can be found here.

Gackle, who grows soy and other crops alongside his dad and brother on their family farm, highlighted the positive impact of agriculture on the U.S. economy before providing an overview of funding streams related to agriculture research and technology and how the funding and related policies directly help soybean farmers.

“The benefits can be transformational and far-reaching, including generating a stable, sustainable supply of soybeans; improving farmer resilience; driving product development and market demand; and building efficient infrastructure. These benefits flow to farmers and throughout the entire value chain,” Gackle explained.

The third-generation farmer pointed to ASA’s Policy Resolutions book, developed annually by farmers and soy states, and which this year contains 26 resolutions specifically addressing agricultural research to support and maintain 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,” said Gackle, who also addressed how research and development resources – public, private, and checkoff – have a high return on investment and are complementary.

 Gackle cited specific and diverse examples of research and technology impacting agriculture: precision ag technologies that improve efficiencies of critical inputs, including land, water, fertilizer, and pesticides—but adoption of which is hampered by farmer affordability; investments in seed technologies that make production possible in colder, drier climates such as North Dakota; initiatives that support farmers’ mental health by improving understanding of farming’s very real challenges, identifying solutions, and connecting farm and ranch families with stress assistance services; new end uses and expanded global markets for soy; the building of efficient infrastructure, which is necessary for moving crops to market and enhancing the competitiveness of U.S. agriculture; and agriculture research to shape and inform both the industry and the public.

Importantly, the ASA leader explained how farmers, including those within the soybean industry, are contributing their own efforts and resources to support advances in research, innovation, and technology—including investing financial resources directly into critical projects through the soy checkoff. He emphasized the importance of protecting the soy checkoff from harmful amendments that may arise in the appropriations or farm bill reauthorization processes.

The hearing in Wheatland, North Dakota, was hosted by Senate Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, with North Dakota Senator John Hoeven presiding. A full list of witnesses, including other U.S. Senators, USDA, agriculture and academic, can be found here.