The Big Picture: Making Soybeans Work Harder for Farmers
Soybeans aren’t just a crop—they’re the backbone of Missouri farming and a key ingredient in everything from cooking oil to plant-based burgers. But as markets shift and prices go up and down, farmers need varieties that bring more value to the table.
That’s where the HOLL Plus Soybean Project comes in. Our team set out to create soybean varieties that not only grow well in Missouri’s fields but also pack in extra benefits, like better oil, improved protein, and even better flavor for food products.
Think of it as building a “super soybean” that helps farmers earn more, food companies create tastier products, and consumers enjoy healthier options.
Project Overview
Missouri scientists have wrapped up an eight-year project that could give farmers a new edge in the soybean market — beans bred for better taste, added nutritional traits, and strong yields.
Led by Kristin Bilyeu and Andrew Scaboo, the “HOLL Plus” program focused on developing high-yielding soybean varieties with premium seed qualities, including Missouri’s own SOYLEIC™ high oleic trait. The goal was simple but ambitious: create soybeans that deliver more value from every acre.
The team combined advanced breeding techniques with molecular selection to pack multiple seed composition traits into maturity group III and IV soybeans, popular among Missouri farmers. The result? Soybeans that not only produce competitive yields — about 90% of standard check varieties in 2024 trials — but also carry premium qualities sought by specialty food markets.
One breakthrough was pairing the high oleic trait with improved carbohydrate profiles, creating beans with better flavor for the plant-based protein industry. “We’ve dramatically improved flavor profiles while keeping yields strong,” the team reported. That could mean new opportunities for Missouri growers in food-grade and specialty markets, where premiums typically run $1 to $3 per bushel.
The research also produced soybeans with the Enlist E3 herbicide trait, giving farmers more weed control options without sacrificing the new seed quality benefits.
While the project ended in 2024 due to lack of funding, a private industry partner is continuing some of the work — though not in Missouri’s primary maturity group range. A patent application for “soybean plants having improved flavor” was filed this spring, signaling potential for commercialization.
Specialty soybeans with strong agronomic packages can mean extra income and resilience in down markets. For the soybean industry, the work shows how science and breeding innovation can open new markets, from livestock feed to high-end plant-based foods.
What We Did
- Built on existing strengths. We used the Soyleic™ soybean technology, which naturally produces oil that doesn’t need hydrogenation (meaning it avoids unhealthy trans fats).
- Mixed and matched traits. By carefully crossing plants and speeding up selection with DNA tools, we developed soybeans that balance high yields, strong disease resistance, and valuable seed qualities.
- Created first-of-their-kind bundles. We combined healthier oil with better carbohydrate traits and new herbicide resistance options, giving farmers flexibility and food companies more ways to use soybeans.
Key Results
- Stronger Varieties for Farmers: We created new soybean lines that reached about 90% of the yield of standard check varieties in Missouri’s 2024 advanced yield trials.
- Better Flavor for Foods: Our work produced soybeans with improved taste, especially important for the plant-based protein industry, where flavor can make or break a product.
- Future-Ready Seeds: We laid the foundation for breeding programs that can handle complex genetic challenges, ensuring future soybean varieties stay competitive.
What It Means for Missouri Farmers
- More Choices: Farmers can plant soybean varieties that give them not only solid yields but also access to premium contracts.
- Stronger Bottom Line: Specialty soybeans like these often earn $1–$3 more per bushel compared to commodity beans.
- Resiliency: Having multiple market options helps farmers weather the ups and downs of global soybean prices.
What’s Next
While the project funding ended in 2024, the groundwork has been laid for future soybean improvements. Some of the HOLL Plus soybeans developed here could move toward commercialization, offering benefits for farmers, food companies, and consumers alike.
Even though not all varieties were finalized, this research shows the potential of Missouri-led innovation to shape the future of farming and food.