Quality of Canadian Soybean, oilseed-type 2017

4. Oil and protein content

The average protein content was 38.6% in 2017, significantly lower than last year (40.1%) and lower than the 5-year average (2012 to 2016) of 39.8%. Samples from central Canada showed a higher protein content than from the Maritimes and western Canada (39.6% for central Canada, 37.3 % for the Maritimes and 37.1% for western Canada). For all grades combined individual producer samples ranged in protein from 29.9% to 44.2%. Figure 3 shows the protein content trend since 2006 eastern (Québec, Ontario and Maritimes) and western Canada (Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta). Western averages were consistently lower than eastern averages from 2006. Western yearly averages also show high yearly variability when comparted eastern averages.

The average oil content was 20.9% (Table 1) for soybean graded No. 1 and No. 2 Canada lower than what was observed in 2016 at 21.7% (Table 1) and the 5-year average of 21.4%. There were noticeable difference between the averages of soybean No. 1 and No. 2 Canada between the different provinces, with samples from Saskatchewan (21.9%) having higher oil contents than those fom Quebec (20.1%). All grades combined, individual samples ranged from 16.9% to 25.1% oil. Figure 4 shows the oil content trend since 2006 for eastern, western and all of Canada. There is a marked difference between the eastern and western averages but it varies from year to year due to environmental growing conditions and varietal differences.

Important variations in protein and oil contents in the top two grades were observed among all provinces and between eastern and western provinces. While quality parameters are influenced by environmental conditions, the variety and soil fertility will also affect quality. Typically, there is an inverse relationship between oil and protein content for eastern and western Canada soybeans, the higher the oil content lower the protein.

Figure 3. Protein content averages of Canadian oilseed type soybean, 2006 to 2017

• Details

  Protein content averages of Canadian oilseed type soybean, 2006 to 2017

  Region	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017
  Western Canada	36.0	35.5	37.8	37.0	37.4	36.5	36.4	39.6	37.3	38.1	38.7	37.1
  Eastern Canada	40.6	40.6	41.0	40.5	41.0	39.1	40.1	40.5	40.5	40.1	40.6	39.6
  Canada	39.9	39.8	40.3	39.7	39.9	38.1	39.3	40.2	39.6	39.6	40.1	38.6

Figure 4. Oil content averages of Canadian oilseed type soybean, 2006 to 2017

• Details

  Oil content averages of Canadian oilseed type soybean, 2006 to 2017

  Region	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017
  Western Canada	23.2	21.8	21.8	22.0	21.6	22.9	22.0	21.0	20.6	21.1	20.8	21.3
  Eastern Canada	21.1	21.9	21.6	20.7	21.2	21.4	21.8	21.0	21.0	21.6	22.0	20.7
  Canada	21.5	21.9	21.6	21.1	21.4	22.0	21.9	21.0	20.9	21.5	21.7	20.9