Less Protein in Canada's Food-Type Soy Harvest

WINNIPEG - Feb 1/12 - SNS -- The average protein and oil content of Canada's 2011 soybean harvest was down slightly from the previous year, according to the harvest quality summary published by the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC).

The CGC noted that protein content for 2011 Canadian food-type soybeans ranged from 35.9 g/100 g DM (grams per 100 grams of dry matter) to 49.9 g/100 g DM. The average protein content in 2011 was 42.3 g/100 g DM, which was similar to that in 2010.

The average protein content for Manitoba in 2011 was 39.7 g/100 g DM, an increase of 1.2 g/100 g DM when compared to 2010. The mean protein content for Ontario in 2011 was 42.5 g/100 g DM, similar to that in 2010, while the average protein content for Quebec in 2011 was 42.1 g/100 g DM, 1.7 g/100 g DM lower than that in 2010. Manitoba exhibited lower mean protein content than Ontario and Quebec.

Oil content for 2011 Canadian food-type soybeans varied from 17.0 g/100 g DM to 24.2 g/100 g DM. The average oil content in 2011 was 20.8 g/100 g DM, which was 0.2 g/100 g DM lower than that in 2010.

The average oil content for Manitoba in 2011 was 21.6 g/100 g DM, 1.2 g/100 g DM higher as compared to 2010. The mean oil content for Ontario in 2011 was 20.9 g/100 g DM, 0.5 g/100 g DM lower than that in 2010. The average oil content for Quebec in 2011 was 20.5 g/100 g DM, 0.2 g/100 g DM higher than that in 2010. Manitoba displayed higher average oil content in 2011 than Ontario and Quebec.

Variations in protein and oil content for Canadian food-type soybeans can be affected by variety and growing environmental conditions. A strong inverse correlation (r=-0.865, p < 0.001) between oil and protein content was observed.