A non-GMO soybean variety containing high oleic trait technology, SOYLEIC, is building demand thanks to funding and partnership support from the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council and the United Soybean Board (USB) soy checkoff. The variety offers opportunities for farmers to meet the demand for high oleic oil needs for end-users in specific markets.
High oleic soybean oil provides increased functionality and contains zero trans-fat. It is an ideal oil for frying, baking and many other uses in restaurants and home kitchens. It creates nutritious food for humans and feed for animal diets while offering a diversified and value-added planting option for soy farmers.
The SOYLEIC trait technology was developed after over a decade of research. Seeds carrying SOYLEIC are going into approximately 40,000 acres across 14 states from Georgia to Minnesota this growing season. In addition, a new website, soyleic.com, is now available as a one-stop shop for information for farmers, researchers, chefs and health-conscious consumers.
“Innovations like the SOYLEIC non-GMO high oleic soybeans are exactly the opportunities we’re focused on in bringing new soybean varieties to farmers and introducing new soy products to the market through the soy checkoff,” said Kyle Durham, a farmer from Norborne, Missouri, and Chair of the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council. “We’re proud to bring growers this technology that stands to empower farmers to improve their bottom line through new varieties and value-added markets and meet the food industry’s need for high-performing soybean oil.”
In addition to farmers planting soybeans with the SOYLEIC non-GMO high oleic, soybean breeders are working to develop new varieties with the technology tailored to the growing conditions in their regions.
“SOYLEIC is the latest example of the value the checkoff brings to soybean farmers, by providing research funding investments that result in innovations farmers can put to work right now to maximize profit opportunities,” said Meagan Kaiser, United Soybean Board Treasurer and farmer-leader from Bowling Green, Missouri. “The reliability that U.S. soybean farmers provide can meet end-user demand, expand and strengthen market share in the food industry, and diversify their acres, furthering profitability on the farm.”
EDITOR'S TAKE:
In recent years, soybean purchasers have paid premiums for both non-GMO beans and the high oleic trait - but not together at the same time. This is very exciting news for both soybean producers, crushers/processors and, best of all, consumers. Consumer demand for “healthy” products is going through the roof. This new soybean variety and combination will check two very important boxes of what consumers are seeking. This is a winning combination that should put more money in the pockets of soybean farmers everywhere. Great work!
