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1999 Summary
The United Soybean Board annual soybean quality survey was completed on November 23, 1999. The Iowa State University Grain Quality Laboratory analyzed 1,059 samples from 29 states, as contributed by soybean producers in response to a survey request. This was a response rate of 29%, nearly the same as in 1998.
Compared to a 10-year average, protein content was 1.0 percentage point lower and oil content was nearly equal to the 10-year average level. The typical pattern of increasing protein northwest to southeast was present. All states except those in the southeast region were below their averages in protein. Speculation is that delayed planting and rainfall shortages in August were contributing factors.
Average meal yields are estimated at 41.9 pounds of 48% protein meal per bushel, down 1.5 lbs/bu from 1998. Average oil yields are estimated at 10.9 pounds of oil per bushel, more if as-received moisture is less than 13%. This year protein will be the limiting nutrient, rather than fiber. Processors will have increased millfeed volumes but meal should be lower in fiber than average. Overall, the 1999 crush will be a sharp contrast to the record outputs from 1998 soybeans.
In the Western Corn Belt, processors will have difficulty making 48% meal on a consistent basis; some hipro meal will be in the 46.0-47.0% protein range. In a departure from normal, even processors using Illinois soybeans may experience reduced meal yields.
The variability (standard deviation) of both protein and oil was the highest in the 14 years of the survey. This indicates that localized weather conditions probably had a very large impact on production in 1999. This would also indicate that buyers will experience larger than normal lot-to-lot differences in 1999 soybeans. Because the variations tended to be clustered in areas within a state, selective sub-state buying patterns are expected as users become aware of composition distribution.
1998 Summary
The United Soybean Board annual soybean quality survey was completed on November 25, 1998. The Iowa State University Grain Quality Laboratory analyzed 2,035 samples from 29 states, as contributed by soybean producers in response to a survey request. This was a response rate of 28%.
The data is given in the accompanying table. Compared to a 10-year average, protein content was higher by 0.7 percentage point. Oil content was above 10-year average levels by an equal 0.7 percentage point. The typical pattern of increasing protein north to south was present although to a lesser degree than in past years. Every state was above its 10-year average for the total of oil and protein. Most experts believe that the prolonged warm fall weather, without frost, contributed to the improved composition.
Average meal yields are estimated at 43.4 pounds of 48% protein (or higher) meal per bushel. Average oil yields are estimated at least 11.2 pounds of oil per bushel, more if as-received moisture is less than 13%. In 1998, the meal fiber limit will control meal protein, because the unusually high protein and oil contents combined to sharply increase meal protein levels. Processors may have to market meal in excess of 48% protein. This means that the elevated protein may not be fully reflected in processor revenue. Export buyers should find 1998 U.S. soybeans competitive in composition with South American soybeans. Meal from nearly every U.S. location should meet the 48% protein standard.
In 1998, producers were asked to send two samples, one from early harvest and one from late harvest. This was done to identify a maturity effect, if any. There were no states in which the early and late soybeans differed by more than 0.2% of either oil or protein, which was the same finding as in 1997.
1997 Summary
The annual United Soybean Board-American Soybean Association soybean quality survey was completed on November 24, 1997. The Iowa State University Grain Quality Laboratory analyzed 2,465 samples from 29 states, as contributed by soybean producers in response to a survey request.
The data is given in the accompanying table. Compared to the previous years, protein content was reduced by 0.5-1.0 percentage point. Oil content was at or above previous levels. The typical pattern of increasing protein north to south was present.
The variability (standard deviation) of both protein and oil within any state was about 25% larger in 1997 than 1996. This was probably caused by the erratic weather patterns across the U.S. in this year.
The moisture content of 1997 soybeans was generally low, around 10% or less. This had benefits for processors because at 13% moisture, production of 48% meal from average 1997 soybeans will require removal of 4-5 pounds per bushel of hulls. At 10% moisture, the same beans will yield 2 pounds more meal, and 0.3 pound more oil per bushel, thus partially offsetting the overall reduced protein levels.
Average meal yields are estimated at 43-43.5 pounds per bushel of 48% meal and 11.0-11.3 pounds per bushel of oil. Higher meal yields could be obtained if lesser protein levels were guaranteed (e.g., 47% or 47.5%) because the protein level, not the fiber level, is controlling production from 1997 soybeans.
In 1997, producers were asked to send two samples, one from early harvest and one from late harvest. This was done to identify a maturity effect, if any. There were no states in which the early and late soybeans differed by more than 0.2% of either oil or protein. Nationally, the early soybeans averaged 0.03% less protein and 0.02% more oil than the late soybeans. Maturity did not materially change composition in 1997.