Health concerns over trans-fats have decreased the use of soybean oil in food products. To address this, the University of Missouri developed SOYLEIC soybeans through non-GMO breeding, which are high in oleic acid and low in linoleic acid (HOLL). These traits enhance oil quality for cooking and baking and improve digestibility for animal feed. 

To support Illinois soybean farmers in seizing market opportunities with SOYLEIC, ISA checkoff funding is expanding agronomic testing. This year, three experimental SOYLEIC lines are being tested in USDA uniform trials, with the potential for new, high-yielding varieties adapted to Illinois. 

Dr. Eliana Monteverde, plant breeder at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, now leads this initiative following Dr. Brian Diers’ retirement. The team also includes Jacob Tammen, Sarah Schultz, and Troy Cary, all Senior Research Specialists at UIUC. 

 To learn more about this project, visit FieldAdvisor.org/research.