St. Louis, Missouri
October 3, 2007
Visions of profits cross the minds
of many soybean farmers during the seed selection process.
When the food industry recognized the need to replace
hydrogenated oils with trans fat-free cooking oils, soybean
farmers and industry began working together to ramp up supply to
meet this new demand. Low-linolenic soybeans -- entering their
fourth year of commercialization in the 2008 season -- have
grown from 730,000 acres planted in 2006 to 1.9 million acres in
2007, with an estimated 3 to 3.5 million acres projected for
2008.
"A lot of these varieties are already on par with commodity
varieties where agronomics and yield are concerned," said Don
Latham, a QUALISOY board
member and seed dealer from Alexander, Iowa. "They offer the
disease resistance packages and other traits farmers want, and
they bring even more profit through premiums."
Another factor that appeals to growers is that low-linolenic
soybeans require only a "soft" identity preservation system, not
the more rigorous "hard" system. In other words, material
cleaning and separation guidelines are not as strict for
low-linolenic soybeans as they are for some other soybeans.
"Next year, the market area for low-linolenic soybeans is
expanding, which increases contracting opportunities for
growers," Latham said. "Your local seed dealer is usually your
best source for discussing the opportunities in your area."
Before discussing the profit opportunities with seed dealers,
farmers are going to the Internet to try out the Low-Linolenic
Locator tool at www.QUALISOY.com. This easy-to-use application
lets users view a map of their area to see the location of
elevators and processors who handle low-linolenic soybeans, and
view the approximate growing area around these locations. The
Low-Linolenic Locator can give farmers some idea of where these
enhanced-quality soybeans are grown, but seed dealers will know
the most up-to-date details of what seed is available and what
premiums are offered.
"Premiums are expected to remain the same or higher next year,"
Latham said. "The performance is comparable to other soybeans,
and your seed dealer can help you determine which varieties grow
best in your area."
Low-linolenic varieties include:
• VISTIVETM from Monsanto
• Pioneer® Low Linolenic Soybeans
• Asoyia low-linolenic soybeans
A diverse 22-member QUALISOY
Board of Directors sets research priorities, evaluates existing
and emerging technologies, and helps identify future soybean
trait enhancements that would benefit the food and feed
industries. For additional information on low-linolenic product
availability, QUALISOYs activities and its Board of Directors,
visit www.QUALISOY.com.
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