Declining protein levels could lead to loss of market share
When something – be it a car, tractor or even a TV – breaks down, a commonly uttered phrase is: They just don’t make them like they used to.
In a world where quantity seems to be more valuable than quality, it’s not surprising that the same phrase can be said about U.S. soybean composition.
The soybean market’s emphasis on yield has contributed to a disturbing trend of declining protein levels.
“Many farmers are focused on growing pounds of soybeans, because that’s where we’re paid,” says Pennsylvania farmer-leader Bill Beam. “But what we’re really growing are pounds of protein and pounds of oil for our end users.”
Impact of lower protein
The Value Task Force (VTF), a group formed by the soy checkoff to identify opportunities to increase the value farmers can extract from their soybeans, has analyzed past quality data and determined if current trends continue, the national average protein level of U.S. soybeans is on a path to decline from 34.5 percent in 2015 to 33.7 percent by 2030.
A change that significant could lead to loss of market share for U.S. soybeans.
“The problem isn’t just that our protein levels are declining,” notes Beam. “The problem is that our foreign competitors’ protein levels are quite strong.”
For example, Brazil’s average soybean meal protein content over three growing seasons was about 1.8 percent higher than the United States’, according to a checkoff-funded study.
In addition to foreign competitors, soybeans are also up against other protein sources, like low-fiber canola meal.
U.S. soy still holds the advantage
Overall, soybean composition includes more than just protein. Similarly, the U.S. Soy Advantage is more than just composition. Sustainability and superior value are also essential parts of the U.S. Soy Advantage that the soy checkoff uses to increase demand from end users.
But while soybean composition isn’t the only pillar of the U.S. Soy Advantage, it is a factor you can control. Soybean farmers have the power to stop the downward trend in protein content, but doing nothing shouldn’t be considered as an option.
“We know what our end users want, so let’s grow soybeans that will meet their needs,” says Beam. “Meeting demand will add value to our soybeans, which will ultimately lead to increased profitability for farmers.”
Click here to see more...