Soybean Yield and Quality a Priority for Minnesota

National and state level communications and production staff met at the Minnesota Soybean office on Thursday, May 15 to discuss a comprehensive producer education program as part of the Select Yield and Quality Initiative.

U.S. soybean farmers determine crop value on yield, but soybean processors are paying for protein and oil. Traditionally, U.S. soybeans were both high yielding and had high protein levels that gave us a strong competitive advantage to South American beans. During the past three decades there has been a shift in soybean production from the more southern regions to the northern regions.

This shift in regional production led to a change in protein levels due to different maturities planted in the North. In the Southern U.S., farmers grew maturities similar to those grown in South America, with a higher protein level than northern beans. As Southern soybean acres have been replaced with different crops, the overall protein level average for U.S. soybeans has dropped dramatically. At the same time, soybean production in South America has skyrocketed, surpassing the U.S. in overall production.

There is both a premium and a discount currently in the U.S. due to protein and oil values of a soybean crop. In a 2000 study, it was documented that Minnesota soybeans were discounted 9 cents per bushel due to lower protein values.

To remain competitive in the global marketplace, it is imperative that farmers base their seed selection decisions yield, oil and protein content of a specific variety.

The communications and production staff members hope to implement a marketing and communications plan that will increase the knowledge and understanding of the economic impact of choosing soybean varieties that offer both high yields and high protein and oil levels.

The second goal of the marketing plan is to change the purchasing criteria of soybean farmers when booking seed to choose varieties that offer high yields as well as high protein and oil levels, ultimately increasing the overall value of U.S. soybeans to domestic and international customers.

It is critical that soybean farmers begin choosing varieties that offer higher protein and oil content. It's important to note that there are varieties available, with those improved components, that do not compromise yield.