DuPont Pioneer and Perdue to double Plenish high oleic soy program

DuPont Pioneer and Perdue AgriBusiness announced recently that Perdue will more than double the acreage contracted for Plenish® high oleic soybeans in 2014 region near its soybean crush facility in Salisbury, Md. with the intention of marketing the high oleic soybean oil for use by the food industry in 2015.

For the 2014 growing season, Perdue will contract with soybean farmers to grow 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® high oleic soybeans.

“Maryland soybean farmers have a high regard for soybeans and the value the crop brings to the state’s agricultural industry,” said Randy Minton, DuPont Pioneer business director for the Eastern region. “The 2014 contract program will provide them an opportunity to strengthen market demand for the soybean industry and earn more income per bushel.”

“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.”

The development of Plenish® high oleic soybean oil is an important milestone for Pioneer in its efforts to bring product innovation to the food industry and complements solutions offered by DuPont Nutrition & Health to address the world’s challenges in food. High oleic soybean oil provides a soy-based trans fat alternative for food companies and foodservice operators. Plenish® high oleic soybeans from Pioneer contain the highest oleic content (approximately 75 percent) of any soybean product under commercial development.

The high oleic content significantly increases the stability of the oil and provides greater flexibility in food applications. Plenish® high oleic soybean oil has 0g trans fat per serving and 20 percent less saturated fat than commodity soybean oil, making it a more attractive ingredient for consumer food products.

The high oleic soybeans from Pioneer are developed using elite genetics and cutting-edge technologies. Field testing has confirmed yields on par with elite commercial products.

Plenish® high oleic soybeans are approaching completion of global regulatory approvals with over 96 percent of U.S. soybean export markets now approved.