Qualit y Vs. Quantit y
Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) employees David Kurth, research program coordinator; Josh McDanel, spatial data analyst and Craig Woods, research technician gather soybean and soil samples throughout the state. Getting a wide variety of samples could help determine if locations, weather or other factors affect soybean quality.
Using data to learn what affects soybean protein and oil content. BY KRISS NELSON
G
rowing a record 4.44 billion bushels of soybeans in 2021 proves U.S. farmers know how to produce a large
quantity of soybeans. But what do we know about raising a quality soybean that could help improve a farmer’s Return
on Investment (ROI)? To help answer this question, the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) and Kansas State University (KSU) began collaborating on a soybean quality sampling project. Since 2019, researchers have been working to improve the spatial knowledge of soybean protein and oil across Iowa and Kansas. The United Soybean Board (USB) and the North
Jack Cornell, USB director of sustainable supply
Yield has been the key driver of soybean production, and research like the soybean quality sampling program is investigating what management practices may influence the soybean’s ability to provide higher protein, amino acid, or oil content.
14 | DECEMBER 2023 | IASOYBEANS.COM
Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP) have helped fund the project. We asked ISA Spatial Data Analyst Josh McDanel about what the project means, and how the results will help drive profitability for Iowa’s soybean growers. The ISA already has numerous trials and projects, what makes this one different? The survey component is important. We don’t have a good baseline of the soybean protein and oil values across the state. This research is an interesting look behind the curtain to help understand what affects the production of a higher quality soybean in terms of protein and oil. Why is the soybean quality sampling project important to Iowa farmers? If producers do not have a contract to grow a specialty high protein or high oil soybean, they may not be financially recognized for the quality of soybean they are raising.
“We want to capture the value of U.S. soybeans that are sold globally. That value is not only for market demands, but for the good of the farmer as well,” says Jack Cornell, director of sustainable supply at USB. “We are working to highlight
our higher quality soybean to increase our marketability as soybeans are sold internationally, and we view quality as a high potential area for farmers to see enhanced profitability.”
