Quality of Canadian Soybean, oilseed-type 2018

3. Harvest survey samples

For the 2018 soybean survey 402 samples were received (437 in 2017), 196 were from eastern Canada (288 in 2017) and 206 (149 in 2017) from western Canada (Table 3). Canadian Grain Commission inspectors graded these samples according to the Official Grain Grading Guide. In the 2018 survey, 82.0% (97.7% in 2017) of the submitted samples were in the top 2 grades while 18.0% of the samples graded Soybean, No. 3 Canada and lower. The grade distribution was not the same between eastern and western Canada, 96.7% of the samples from the east (Ontario and Québec) were graded Soybean, No. 1 and No. 2 Canada versus 67.3% from the west (Manitoba and Saskatchewan).

The moisture content of report quality data is a subjective parameter; research papers usually report quality data on dry basis (0% moisture) whereas organisations/boards/government agencies tend to report quality data using the moisture the most often encounters in the location/country. Historically, the Canadian Grain Commission has been reporting soybean quality data on dry basis, whereas all US soybean quality data are reported at 13% moisture. Quality data can be reported/calculated for any moisture, dry moisture, 13% moisture or loading moisture, it is just a calculation taking into account the sample moisture at time of analysis and tallying the concentration or dilution effect of reporting the results at the chosen moisture content. However, the reported moisture difference brings a lot of confusion when data need to be compared. To ease the reading of this report and help the data comparison, oil and protein contents will be reported on dry basis and at 13% moisture in this document.

Individual samples were analyzed for oil and protein content using either a FOSS NIRSystems 6500 or a DS2500 near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer, calibrated and verified against the appropriate laboratory reference method. Grade composite samples were analyzed by reference methods for oil, protein, fatty acid composition and free fatty acids. The reference procedures are listed under Oilseeds Methods.

The data presented in this report for areas where a low number of samples were received might not reflect the true quality of the crop. The average data presented in this report were weighted using a combination of provincial production data (2018 as reported by Statistics Canada) and sample numbers from the area.

There are two major types of soybeans grown in Canada: those commonly referred to as oilseed-type beans ("crush" or non-food grade) and food grade beans (used for tofu and other soy products). This report deals with the oilseed-type soybean samples used for the feed or crushing industry.

Oilseed-type soybeans are grown to produce oil and high-protein meal. Soybean oil is used in salad oil, shortening and margarine products. Defatted soybean meal are protein supplement in livestock rations. Key quality factors for oilseed soybeans are oil content, protein content, and fatty acid composition. Oil and protein content give quantitative estimates of the beans as a source of oil, and of the defatted meal as a source of protein for animal feed. Fatty acid composition provides information about the nutritional, physical and chemical characteristics of the oil extracted from the beans.