FINDLAY — Collaboration is instrumental to change. When the U.S. soybean industry rolled out high oleic soybean varieties more than five years ago, it knew it would take an industrywide effort to bring solutions to the market.

“The success of high oleic soy depends on the collaboration of many partners – from end users all the way back to the seed companies and the farmers,” says John Motter, soybean farmer from Jenera, Ohio who grows high oleic soybeans and also serves as United Soybean Board vice chair. “For us to see growth – in acres and demand – it will take a continuation of these efforts to bring profitability to soybean farmers.”

Enter the town of Findlay, Ohio. Motter and other farmers around Findlay were some of the first to grow high oleic soybeans in 2011. Today, the town of 40,000 was the site of a high oleic takeover of sorts. Farmers gathered to learn from their peers about growing high oleic soybean varieties and passers-by were able to sample goodies cooked in high oleic soybean oil.

For farmers, these varieties perform right along with other varieties in their fields and pack a premium to add to farmer profitability. For food companies, high oleic soybean oil offers a familiar taste with lower saturated fats and without unnecessary trans fats.

“I’m proud to bring a domestic oil back to the food industry,” adds Motter. “So much of our soybean oil demand has been lost to imported oils and that affects my bottom line.”

High oleic soybeans are expected to top one million acres in 2017 – a milestone for the crop. But, the soy industry estimates the demand for high oleic will top 18 million acres by 2023. Farmers are encouraged to seek out local contracts and join their peers in growing high oleic soybeans. To find out more information, visit soyinnovation.com or talk to your local seed representative.

USB’s 70 farmer-directors work on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers to achieve maximum value for their soy checkoff investments. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds in programs and partnerships to drive soybean innovation beyond the bushel and increase preference for U.S. soy. That preference is based on U.S. soybean meal and oil quality and the sustainability of U.S. soybean farmers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org

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