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Soybean industrial quality issues

As the 2024 soybean growing season comes to an end, farmers in southeast Missouri are facing significant quality issues due to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

The storm delivered excess water to the region after an unusually dry August and September. This synergistic effect of undersized seeds and prolonged standing water in the aftermath of the storm resulted in sprouting seeds within pods, damaged hulls, and infections from opportunistic microorganisms.

The ongoing situation has led to heavy dockage at elevators, further diminishing the revenue of a commodity already facing market devaluation.

More information about soybean issues

Soybean pod

Soybeans are made for Missouri. Few things grown, mined or manufactured in Missouri touch the lives of as many citizens as soybean.

Soybean is Missouri’s No. 1 crop in both number of acres and value. Each year more than 5 million acres of productive Missouri farmland are planted to soybean. This number is greater than the total acreage all other grain, fiber and vegetable crops.

The economic health of Missouri depends on its soybean crop. The annual, on-farm value of Missouri’s soybean crop is more than $2.5 billion.

Soybean is the world’s foremost producer of vegetable oil and vegetable protein. A bushel of soybean weighs 60 pounds. That bushel of soybean grain produces 11.3 pounds of vegetable oil and 45.0 pounds of high-protein meal. Examples of products made from soy oil are: cooking oil, margarine, biodiesel, printing ink and lecithin. The primary use of soy protein is animal feed, including pets. Soy protein is also used in tofu, infant formula, processed meats and building materials.

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Soybean industrial quality issues (PDF)

The 2024 soybean growing season is concluding with significant industrial quality issues in southeast Missouri. The University of Missouri's Soybean Farming System is part of a multi-state research project to investigate management strategies for mitigating seed quality deterioration and will conduct field trials in the southeast region during the 2025 season.

Soybean Growth Monitoring — Center — 2024-10-01 (PDF)

Soybean Farming System Biweekly Report - Central Missouri | Week : 10/01/24

Soybean Growth Monitoring — Northeast — 2024-10-01 (PDF)

Soybean Farming System Biweekly Report - Northeast | Week : 10/01/24

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