St. Louis-based crop improvement company Benson Hill has contracted 30,000 acres to advance its non-GMO soybean varieties through partnerships in the consumer food, animal feed and aquaculture markets.

“The consumer food, animal feed and aquaculture markets are demanding innovation that improves the health and sustainability profile of their ingredients,” said Chris Wilkins, Chief Operating Officer of Benson Hill. “Our portfolio of high-quality soybean varieties delivers this innovation through a full range of in-demand, premium attributes, including better digestibility, heart-healthy omega fatty acids and higher protein that benefit farmers, producers and consumers and further allow Benson Hill to deepen its relationships across the entire value chain.”

Released through the Benson Hill Seeds division, the varieties deliver quality traits like lower anti-nutrients, high oleic and low linolenic oil, and higher protein content, while maintaining competitive yields.

“More than ever, farmers are looking for new opportunities to improve the profitability and predictability of their operation beyond the traditional commodity landscape,” said Kevin Van Trump, CEO of Farm Direction. “Benson Hill understands how to serve these markets and how to serve the farmer. Their dual focus unlocks a massive opportunity for those who want to be part of the evolution underway in food and agriculture.”

In addition to the premium meal and oil ingredients these acres will deliver, Benson Hill recently announced the first commercially available soybean varieties that can effectively replace soy protein concentrate via typical soybean crushing. Available in the 2021 crop year, this innovation will enable food companies to eliminate costly energy and water-intensive processing steps across the consumer food, animal feed and aquaculture markets.

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