Evaluation and Commercialization of SOYLEIC™ Varieties in Illinois
Develop high-yielding, Illinois-adapted non-GMO soybeans with improved oil quality to expand soybean oil markets, create new contracting opportunities, and increase long-term demand and value for Illinois-grown soybeans.
Why This Research Is Important
- Health concerns over trans-fats have decreased use of soybean oil as a food product. The University of Missouri has developed a soybean trait that has improved oil quality via non-GMO breeding. Marketed as SOYLEIC, the varieties contain greater than 80% oleic acid and less than 3% linolenic acid (high oleic and low linolenic, or HOLL).
- The improved stability of SOYLEIC oil is opening the door to other industrial/non-food markets, including as a base for motor oil, in automotive lubricants, in marine oils, in hydraulic fluids and more.
How This Research Benefits the Farmer
- Illinois farmers will have more options for high-yielding SOYLEIC varieties adapted to the various growing environments across the state. This will allow them to capitalize on premium market opportunities in the food industry and various industrial uses.
Research Team
- Dr. Eliana Monteverde, Assistant Professor, UIUC
- Conner Hodge, Research Specialist, UIUC
- Jacob Tammen, Senior Research Specialist, UIUC
- Sarah Schultz, Senior Research Specialist, UIUC
- Troy Cary, Research Specialist, UIUC
Trial Locations
- Statewide
About the Lead Researchers
Dr. Eliana Monteverde
Assistant Professor
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
217-300-7658
elianam@illinois.edu
Project Updates
ISA's Annual Insights Report highlights checkoff-funded research showing that all SOYLEIC varieties yield comparably to Plenish and leading Pioneer checks.
July 8, 2025
Read the 2024 SOYLEIC harvest update and how this ISA checkoff-funded project is growing yield potential and market value for Illinois soybeans.
April 16, 2025
Dr. Eliana Monteverde reports strong HOLL trial results, with top-performing varieties set for 2025 planting trials.
January 21, 2025
ARE YOU A FARMER OR ADVISOR?
If you’re a farmer or advisor, we invite you to take our Soybean Production Concerns Survey linked below to help guide future ISA research efforts. We also encourage you to contact us below with specific production challenge research ideas.
ARE YOU A RESEARCHER?
If you’re a researcher interested in working with ISA on a project, we encourage you to contact us with your ideas. The RFP will open in early March. Contact us below to be added to the mailing list for more information.
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