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U.S. soybean export share to China affected by protein levels
The U.S. is losing soybean market share in China because of a decline in the protein content of U.S. beans. Jim McCormick, Allendale senior trading advisor says China has a huge need for bean meal, “You know, they have just this tremendous hog industry they’ve got to feed. They need the meal protein and plain and simple, they get more bang for their buck – they feel – for buying South American, unfortunately from the U.S. because of its protein content.”
McCormick says it’s a big concern, “As for why the protein content is so low, we really can’t give you a good answer. It’s something we’re going to have to dig in a little bit because it’s something that I think we need to worry about because it’s something, definitely, the buyers are looking for right now.”
The United Soybean Board has dedicated two-million more dollars to soybean quality research this year.
Since the air was cleaned up the average farmer in US is getting an average of 50 pounds on Sulfer less than they were previous, thus if the farmers did not add the correct level of sulfer back onto his soil the protein level in the soybeans are going to drop, there is a certain amount of Sulfer and Boron that is necessary for protein metabolism. These two minerals are negatively charged and easily leached from the soil, the only thing that can hold them in the soil is Humus, thus if your Humus(Organic Matter) is below 3.5% it is more easily leached than if the humus is above 3.5%.