DuPont Pioneer and Perdue AgriBusiness recently announced that, in 2018, more farmers will be able to produce Pioneer brand Plenish high-oleic soybeans under contract and be eligible for a grain premium. Participating growers will be able to deliver grain to a participating elevator or directly to designated Perdue facilities for processing.

“Thanks to an expanding market for this improved soybean oil, Perdue is offering more contracted production acres for 2018,” said Gary Cordier, vice president of domestic soy sales for Perdue. “Plenish high-oleic soybeans offer the right combination of higher yield and profit potential for growers and more healthful, functionally superior oil for our food industry.”

Soybean growers who contract to grow Pioneer brand Plenish high-oleic soybeans in the 2018 growing season will receive a 50 cents/bu. incentive for producing and storing the beans or a 40 cents/bu. premium for a harvest delivery contract.

“Since we started working with Perdue in 2013, grower interest in Pioneer brand Plenish high-oleic soybeans has been exceptional,” DuPont Pioneer area lead Cynthia Ericson said. “The varieties we offer for contracting provide the defensive characteristics and high yield potential that area growers need to significantly improve income per acre.”

The development and commercialization of Plenish soybeans illustrates how biotechnology can provide direct benefits to the food industry, consumers and growers, the companies said.

Plenish high-oleic soybean oil provides companies and foodservice operators with a sustainable, U.S.-grown, soy-based trans-fat alternative with 0 g of trans fat per serving and 20% less saturated fat than commodity soybean oil. The improved fatty acid profile provides the highest oxidative stability level of any commercially produced soybean oil. Additionally, the enhanced stability means longer fry life in restaurant applications and less polymerized oil buildup on equipment, which reduces cleaning costs.

The oil’s stability extends the shelf life for packaged food products without sacrificing flavor and eliminates the need for artificial preservatives, creating the opportunity for a cleaner ingredient label.

The exceptional stability of Plenish oil also allows it to be utilized by the chemical industry as a renewable, environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based products, the announcement said.

Pioneer brand Plenish high-oleic soybean varieties are being developed with genetics using Pioneer’s Accelerated Yield Technology (AYT) 4.0. Local testing over multiple years has confirmed that yields are on par with similar elite commercial soybean varieties, the company said.

Traits included in Plenish high-oleic soybean products have received regulatory approvals in nearly all key U.S. soybean export markets, and approvals are pending in remaining export markets.