FORT WAYNE, INDIANA (RFD News) — Soybean growers are exploring new opportunities with high-oleic soybeans as demand continues to expand, including in the livestock feed market.
Don Wyss, a member of the United Soybean Board Executive Committee, says the program has seen steady investment over the years.
“The High Oleic Soybean Program has been a strong program that’s come out of the soybean checkoff. Now on our 35th year of investing soybean checkoff dollars, the high oleic program to date has invested a lot of money.”
Wyss says about $130 million has been invested so far, with roughly $400 million returned to farmers through premiums.
In his conversation with RFD News, Wyss says the program is still growing.
“It was originally focused on the food area, and that area continues to be focused on as we go forward, but we’ve really made big strides in the feed area. Roasting that whole high oleic soybean and including it in feed rations, particularly in the dairy industry.”
He says that expanding into feed markets has helped increase demand, with high-oleic soybeans now produced in 18 states.
Wyss adds the program continues to offer benefits for both producers and end users as the market develops.
