Source: GRDC's Crop Doctor

Profitable new direction for soybean research

In a bid to increase the profitability of soybeans compared to other crops such as cotton, the Australian soybean breeding program has refocussed its priorities towards culinary quality varieties for higher value markets.

Growers at the first Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Grains Research Update at Casino, NSW today heard researchers are targeting varieties that can meet a market niche for genetically modified organism (GMO)-free culinary grade soybeans.

Australia has already successfully provided the Japanese market with culinary standard soybeans and there is also demand from other Asian countries.

However there is a lack of these varieties currently being produced in Australia due to the limited number of varieties suitable to Australian environmental conditions and standards required for culinary soybean production.

GRDC-funded research will help growers access price premiums like those currently available for tofu-quality soybeans - about $50-$150 per tonne and more for organically-certified grain.

Dr Andrew James, CSIRO Plant Industry and Toowoomba-based grain merchant Peter Brodie, Philp Brodie Grains told growers the breeding program is now aiming for better yield and quality together with broader adaptation to planting windows and wider regional adaptation.

Researchers are targeting varieties that respond to better agronomy and lower water input, including those suitable for the high value Japanese markets.

The major new soybean type includes varieties suited to the high quality milk-tofu market in Australian and Asia which requires a large, light-coloured seed with above average protein and high solubility.

Dr James said Bunya* suited this market as it had a large seed and suite of proteins in its grain which matched those of high quality Japanese varieties.

Mr Brodie said processors were looking for more objective data such as laboratory analysis of grain quality. They also require robust and well-documented grower declarations and preservation of identity.

To assist the Australian soybean industry reach its full potential by combining traits and processing characteristics, stronger links have been formed with industry to ensure improved production and a market driven breeding program.

* Varieties protected under the Plant Breeders Rights Act 1994.

The Crop Doctor is GRDC Managing Director, Peter Reading