DuPont Pioneer and Perdue AgriBusiness announced that Perdue plans to more than double the acreage contracted for Plenish high oleic soybeans in 2015 in geographies supplying its soybean crush facility in Salisbury, Md. The high oleic soybean oil produced from this program will target several markets including food service and food manufacturers looking for healthier oil alternatives .
For the 2015 growing season, Perdue Agribusiness will contract with soybean farmers in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey to grow 60,000 acres of Pioneer brand soybeans with the Plenish high oleic trait.
In addition to helping to launch an important new technology that will expand the market for soybean oil, growers will be eligible for a Perdue-paid incentive for producing and delivering Plenish soybeans. Similar to last year’s program, multiple delivery points will be available in contract areas.
“Soybean farmers supplying Perdue have a keen interest in finding new ways to add value to their production and in growing the region’s agricultural industry,” said Randy Minton, DuPont Pioneer business director for the Eastern region. “The solid yield performance of Plenish soybean varieties, combined with the added profit opportunity with grain premiums, makes participation in the Perdue program an attractive decision for growers. The plan to double Plenish soybean acres for 2015 comes at a good time, considering the challenges growers face with lower soybean prices.”
“We’re always looking for ways to bring new market opportunities to our grower customers,” said John Ade, Perdue AgriBusiness senior vice president. “By working with DuPont Pioneer on the production of Plenish high oleic soybeans on the Eastern shore, we’re hoping to generate additional profit opportunities and long-term industry growth. In addition, it allows our company to better serve the needs of our downstream oil customers.”
The development and commercialization of Plenish high oleic soybean oil is a milestone for DuPont Pioneer efforts to bring product innovation to the soybean value chain. It’s an important example of how biotechnology is being used to develop products with direct food industry and consumer benefit, according to a release.
The oil’s improved fatty acid profile provides a soy-based trans fat alternative for food companies and foods service operators. Its enhanced stability provides longer frying life in restaurant applications and longer shelf life in packaged food products than standard industry oils.
Plenish has 0g trans fat per serving and 20 percent less saturated fat than commodity soybean oil, making it a more attractive ingredient for health conscious consumers of food products.
The high oleic soybean varieties are developed by DuPont Pioneer using its elite genetics technologies. Field testing has confirmed yields on par with leading commercial products, the released stated.
Perdue AgriBusiness is a direct exporter of U.S. agricultural commodities through the company’s deepwater port in Chesapeake, Va. Perdue AgriBusiness merchandises grain and oilseeds, processes soybeans, blends feed ingredients, trades a variety of agricultural commodities and refines edible oils.
Perdue AgriBusiness ventures touch such diverse areas as bio-energy, organic fertilizers and specialty livestock feeds.
