February 22, 2013

US sees rising oil level for soy in 2012

Total oil levels in 2012's US soy crop have risen over 2011, while average protein decline, according to a recent study.

"The oil and protein levels in our soy are very important to our customers," says Sharon Covert, the chair of United Soybean Board Customer Focus Action Team. "We should take every possible course of action to improve our soy oil and meal, which will help us protect and expand our markets."

The results of the soy checkoff's annual US Soybean Quality Survey found the oil level in the overall US soybean crop rose by 0.3 point to 18.5% last year. Protein dropped a half-point to 34.3%.

Seth Naeve, Ph.D., who conducts the study, says the drought likely had a hand in holding protein levels down.

Beginning with the 2013 crop, the checkoff will be implementing a new programme to monitor weather conditions in soy test plots and correlate that information with quality outcomes and variety performance. This work will complement the Soybean Quality Survey.

Animal agriculture consumes nearly 98% of US soy meal, feeding the protein-rich meal to poultry, swine, fish and other animals. The food industry, which uses nearly 70% of soy oil, depends on an abundant supply of healthy and functional oil to use as frying oil or as an ingredient in many food products.

Naeve says variety selection is a farmer's best tool to improve soy quality - even during a drought.