SSGA staff, partners tour Brushvale Seed research plots

While most people who work in the soybean industry are familiar with conventionally grown soybeans, identity preserved (IP) soybeans are a different bean entirely. 

Brushvale, a long-time partner and member of the Specialty Soya and Grain Alliance (SSGA), has been growing identity preserved crops for over 40 years. On Sept. 23, it hosted a tour for SSGA staff and stakeholders for an up-close look at Brushvale’s research plots.  

Research staff leads from Minnesota and North Dakota’s qualified state soybean board were in attendance to learned about various, ongoing research projects.  

“As we work with our supporting states, it was an opportunity to bring in staff from those states – researchers and market development leads – to understand the food-grade soybean and true IP system that starts at the seed and goes to the customers,” said Shane Frederick, SSGA manager of strategic programs. “Companies like Brushvale are working every day to find new varieties for their customers and working diligently to continue to fulfill that export market for U.S. IP soybeans.”  

The tour took place at one of the four Brushvale research plots located near its home facility in Breckenridge. Attendees walked through plots of IP soybeans grown for soy milk, tofu and natto. 

“The breeding program is driven by consumer needs, which you don’t find in the conventional soybean system,” said Sergio Cabello Leiva, director of research at the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council. “The connection between variety development and the consumer is amazing.” 

Forty percent of the research plots now focus on natto beans, and they are constantly breeding different soybean varieties based on what the consumer wants. While Brushvale’s main focus is, of course, breeding for yield increases, they also breed for protein and sugar content.  

“(As an IP grower), there’s not much more rewarding than going to somewhere like Japan and seeing that product on the shelves,” said Tessa Mohs, plant breeder for Brushvale Seed. 

Brushvale Seed is a verified user of the U.S. Identity Preserved assurance plan and brandmark. Verified users have met program qualifications to ensure their products are traceable and U.S. grown and are eligible to use the U.S. Identity Preserved mark on product packaging, collateral and other materials.