Quality of Canadian Soybean, oilseed-type 2019
1. Introduction
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Quality of Canadian oilseed-type soybeans 2019 (PDF, 2.66 mb)
Canadian soybean growing area has expanded in recent years to include crop areas from the Maritimes to the Prairie Provinces (Figure 1).
This harvest survey report is based on 386 samples of oilseed-type soybean (previously described as non-food grade), less than what was received in 2018 (402). Samples were from Manitoba (124), Saskatchewan (27), Alberta (1), Ontario (184), Québec (35), Prince Edwards Island (8) and New Brunswick (7). Of the submitted samples, 24.1% graded Soybean, No. 1 Canada (16.4% in 2018); 72.3% Soybean, No. 2 Canada (65.5% in 2018); Soybean, 2.1% No. 3 Canada (7.9% in 2018); 1.0% Soybean, No. 4 Canada (3.2% in 2018), 0.0% as Soybean, No.5 Canada (4.0% in 2018) and 0.5% as Soybean, Sample Canada (3.0% in 2018). The decrease percentage of samples of the lower grades compared to last year was a reflection of the decent growing conditions for the 2019 soybeans when compared to 2018.
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, oil and protein content is provided 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 | 2019 | 2018 | 2014 to 2018 mean |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Soybean, No. 1 and No. 2 Canada samples | 372 | 328 | |
| Oil content, % | 21.1 | 22.2 | 21.4 |
| Oil content (%, 13% moisture) | 18.4 | 19.3 | 18.7 |
| Protein contentFootnote1 (%, dry basis) | 38.4 | 38.9 | 39.4 |
| Protein content (%, 13% moisture) | 33.4 | 33.8 | 34.2 |
| Oil-free protein of the meal (%, 13% moisture) | 42.3 | 43.5 | 43.6 |
| Chlorophyll content (mg/kg in seed) | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.4 |
| Free fatty acidsFootnote2 (%) | 0.18 | 0.15 | 0.13 |
| Oleic acid (% in oil) | 18.8 | 21.8 | 21.8 |
| Linoleic acid (% in oil) | 55.5 | 53.6 | 53.7 |
| Linolenic acid (% in oil) | 9.9 | 8.3 | 8.8 |
| Total saturated fatty acidsFootnote3 (% in oil) | 15.0 | 15.6 | 15.2 |
| Iodine value (units) | 138.5 | 133.5 | 135.0 |
Figure 1: Soybean production area in Canada
Summary
In 2019 the average oil content for Soybean, No. 1 and No. 2 grades combined, was 21.1% on a dry matter basis (Table 1 and 3). This was lower than last year’s average of 22.2% (Table 1) and the 5-year average (2014-18) of 21.4%. The average protein content for Soybean, No. 1 and No. 2 grades was 38.4%, which was also lower than last year’s average of 38.9% and lower than the 5-year average of 39.4%. The oil and protein content averages for No. 1 and No. 2 grades combined varied between the eastern and western provinces; Manitoba and Saskatchewan had an oil content of 20.9% and a protein content of 36.8%, whereas Ontario and Quebec had an oil content of 21.2% and a protein content of 39.5%. New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island had an oil content and protein content of 21.1 and 38.4%, respectively.
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.