Checkoff assessments to fund promotion, research and education began on September 1, 1991, after having been authorized as part of the 1990 farm bill. One-half of one percent of the market price per bushel of soybeans sold would be collected at the point of sale. Half of the proceeds would go to state soybean checkoffs where soybeans were sold and half to the national checkoff. A new farmer-led entity, the United Soybean Board, created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, would oversee investment of national checkoff dollars.