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Missouri-bred hi-oleic soybean patented
Grover Shannon, University of Missouri professor emeritus of soybean genetics and breeding helped develop Missouri-bred high oleic soybean variety
Missouri has the first of its kind patent for a non-GMO high-oleic soybean variety. Gary Wheeler, CEO of the Missouri Soybean Association and Soybean Merchandising Council, says the patent that was granted in late May will help all U.S. farmers.
Wheeler tells Brownfield Ag News, “Farmers in some states like Ohio or Indiana, they’ve already had the opportunity to plant high oleic soybeans through Monsanto. You know, they have their Vistive brand, their Vistive Gold. And, DuPont Pioneer has their Plenish. But these are unique – you know, they were developed here in Missouri, first of all.”
Wheeler says soybean check-off dollars paid for the research done by University of Missouri and USDA-ARS researchers. And, the soybeans’ oil has up to 15% more oleic acid, exceeding the industry standard.
He tells Brownfield the non-GMO properties will help with marketing, “Getting certain technologies approved by specific countries, whether it be China or other partners within the marketplace but also here in the United States through FDA and other avenues that actually approves these technologies. This is something that we can take directly to the market.”
The patent is owned by the Curators of the University of Missouri and the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS). Wheeler says the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council is the exclusive licensee. He expects commercial availability in 2017.
The United Soybean Board says 18 million acres of high oleic soybean varieties will be needed to meet domestic demand in the next 8 to 10 years.
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