Ontario Grain Farmer October 2021

processing plants in Canada. Its parent company Agrocorp, based in Singapore for over 25 years, has a product range that includes a wide variety of pulses, pea protein, wheat, sugar, cotton, rice and food ingredients. WHAT IT TAKES As with any premium product, food-grade soybean production requires some additional effort. Innes calls the changes that growers of commodity (oil-grade) soybeans who wish to switch to food-grade will have to make ‘enhancements’ to their existing processes. For example, growers must stay on top of their weed control, and make sure harvest is managed carefully to ensure purity and quality. “For those willing to put in a bit more effort, it’s well worth it for Ontario soybean growers to consider contracting for food-grade,” says Innes. “Ontario and Canada have excelled in food-grade production and at this point we have an outstanding reputation. There’s a pride in producing a premium product. And for growers interested in getting more return from every acre of their land and every hour of their time, food-grade production is a very good option compared to other commodities. No matter what the price of commodities, the premium for food-grade has remained steady.” Innes notes that right now, premiums for food-grade soybeans vary depending on the contract, exporter and variety, but they are generally in the range of three to four dollars per bushel over soybeans grown for crushing. l ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER 15 OCTOBER 2021 Within the next 18 months, at least one new processing plant that will receive food-grade soybeans will be built in Ontario. SEED YOU CAN COUNT ON. Choice of trait platforms to suit your farming operation Protection from insects and diseases with AgriShield TM Seed Treatments High performing varieties covering 2450 to 3250 CHU’s P & Design is a registered trademark of AgReliant Genetics LLC. PRIDE is a registered trademark of AgReliant PRIDESEEDS.COM 1.800.265.5280