Quality of Canadian Soybean, oilseed-type 2018
1. Introduction
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Quality of Canadian oilseed-type soybeans 2018 (PDF, 2.66 mb)
Canadian soybean growing area has expanded over the last couple of years so that they are now a crop grown countrywide from the Maritimes to the Prairie Provinces (Figure 1). This harvest survey report is based on 402 samples of oilseed-type soybean (previously described as non-food grade), less than what was received in 2017 (437). Samples were from Manitoba (150), Saskatchewan (52), Alberta (6), Ontario (159), Québec (30), Prince Edwards Island (4) and New Brunswick (3). Of the submitted samples, 16.4% graded Soybean, No. 1 Canada (32.3% in 2017); 65.5% Soybean, No. 2 Canada (65.4% in 2017); Soybean, 7.9% No. 3 Canada (1.1% in 2017); 3.2% Soybean, No. 4 Canada (0.7% in 2017), 4.0% as Soybean, No. 5 Canada (0.5%) and 3.0% as Soybean, Sample Canada. The increase percent of samples of the lower grades compared to last year was a reflection of the more difficult growing conditions for the 2018 soybeans when compared to 2017 (drought conditions followed by rain, snow and frost in September). Quality data (oil, protein, free fatty acid, chlorophyll and fatty acid composition) are based on the means of Soybean, No. 1 and No. 2 Canada grades combined for all oilseed-type samples received from the Maritimes (New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island), central Canada (Ontario and Québec), and western Canada (Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta). Table 1 compares this year’s data to last year and to the 5-year average. In Table 1, we have provided the oil and protein content on a dry matter basis and on a 13% moisture basis. Quality results for all combined grades for each province are in Tables 3 and 4.
| Quality parameter | 2018 | 2017 | 2013 to 2017 mean |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Soybean, No. 1 and No. 2 Canada samples | 328 | 427 | - |
| Oil content, % | 22.2 | 20.9 | 21.2 |
| Oil content (%, 13% moisture) | 19.3 | 18.2 | 18.4 |
| Protein contentFootnote1, % | 38.9 | 38.6 | 39.6 |
| Protein contentFootnote1 (%, 13% moisture) | 33.8 | 33.6 | 34.5 |
| Oil-free protein of the meal (%, 13% moisture) | 43.5 | 42.5 | 43.8 |
| Chlorophyll content (mg/kg in seed) | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| Free fatty acidsFootnote2, % | 0.15 | 0.13 | 0.13 |
| Oleic acid (% in oil) | 21.8 | 20.0 | 21.9 |
| Linoleic acid (% in oil) | 53.6 | 54.4 | 53.6 |
| Linolenic acid (% in oil) | 8.3 | 9.6 | 9.0 |
| Total saturated fatty acidsFootnote3 (% in oil) | 15.6 | 15.2 | 15.2 |
| Iodine value | 133.5 | 137.0 | 135.1 |
Figure 1. Soybean production area in Canada
Summary
In 2018 the average oil content for Soybean, No. 1 and No. 2 grades combined, was 22.2% on a dry matter basis (Table 1 and 3). This was much higher than last year’s average of 20.9% (Table 1) and the 5-year average (2013 to 2017) of 21.2%. The average protein content for Soybean, No. 1 and No. 2 grades was 38.9%, which was higher than last year’s average of 38.6% and lower than the 5-year average of 39.8%. The oil and protein content averages for No. 1 and No. 2 grades combined varied between eastern and western provinces; Manitoba had an oil content of 21.7% and a protein content of 37.4%, whereas Saskatchewan had an oil content of 20.9% and a protein content of 37.0%. In the east Ontario’s oil content was 22.5% and a protein content of 39.3%; Québec’s oil content was 22.2% and protein content of 39.6%; while New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island had an oil content and protein content of 21.6 and 21.5% and 38.7 and 40.2%, respectively. Unfortunately, only one sample from Alberta was graded Soybean, No. 2 Canada and we received no samples from Nova Scotia this year.
Acknowledgments
The Grain Research Laboratory acknowledges the cooperation of the soybean producers, grain handling offices, and oilseed crushing plants in eastern and western Canada for supplying the samples of newly harvested soybean. We also, acknowledge the work of the Industry Services Division of the Canadian Grain Commission in grading producer samples. The technical assistance of the Oilseeds staff in the Grain Research Laboratory is recognized.