Advancements in genetics drive higher yields, expanded acres, and new market opportunities for Manitoba growers
BY: Jeanine Moyer, Synthesis
Manitoba’s soybean industry has come a long way since the early days of the “let’s try a new crop” approach.
From research and market development to agronomic innovations and changing climate conditions, many factors have contributed to the expansion of Manitoba soybean acres and the value the crop now delivers throughout the industry. One of the most important players in the evolution and growth of the sector has been the introduction of new and advanced soybean genetics.
“Continued investments in genetics have been one of the key factors that have enabled soybeans in Manitoba to become a reliable and permanent crop in our rotations,” says Daryl Domitruk, executive director of the Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers (MPSG), noting soybeans were first introduced to Manitoba fields as a crop that could handle the wet growing conditions in the 1990s. Since then, soybean acres have ebbed and flowed with the weather, peaking in 2017 at 2.2 million acres, then retreating slightly from 2018 to 2021 during a series of dry years only to make a comeback last year at nearly 1.3 million seeded acres.
Domitruk points to the years between 2010 and 2024 as the major milestone stretch for Manitoba soybeans. He explains that during this period the province experienced every kind of growing condition, which allowed growers, researchers and seed companies to test their genetic material and generate about a hundred soybean varieties that are now available and proven to perform.
Growing with Genetics
“I think we are on our way to finding stability with core growers having the experience and systems in place to reliably grow soybeans and achieve favourable yields and marketing opportunities,” Brendan Phillips, a soybean grower in Hartney, Man., says. “Variety development and different weed control systems have allowed growers in a large area of the province to gain confidence while recognizing that soybeans can be helpful in time management and resource utilization of equipment during busy seasons.”
Bryce Rampton, a portfolio marketing manager for Corteva Agriscience’s Pioneer brand in Western Canada, believes Manitoba’s soybean industry is maturing. He says one of the key contributing factors has been the ability for seed companies to leverage genetic solutions that have been developed for other regions in North America, like trait packages and disease tolerant varieties. Building on the genetic success in other regions and testing them in local breeding programs and plot trials means provincial growers can capitalize on proven seed they know will perform in Manitoba growing conditions. “Corteva’s local breeding and plot testing program has been a significant contributor to developing varieties that perform in Manitoba’s climate and deliver the results growers are looking for,” says Rampton.
Advanced genetics are providing positivity, momentum and stability for the provincial soybean industry. “We’re seeing these enhanced genetics translate to more acres and higher yields,” notes David Kikkert, Canada corn and soybean portfolio lead with Bayer Crop Science. He points to the record yields growers have seen in the past three years as a trend that’s reflecting the investments in genetics and trait technology that seed companies like Bayer are providing to provincial growers.
“Last year’s average provincial record yield of 45 bushels per acre is an indication that Manitoba is moving to a more mature market,” adds Kikkert.
Reaching New Heights
Over the years, Manitoba farmers have embraced advancements in soybean genetics and varieties better suited to shorter growing seasons and cooler climates, allowing for more widespread cultivation in the region. The industry has evolved thanks to breeding programs that have focused on developing earlier-maturing varieties with improved cold tolerance, ensuring higher yields and more stability.
“Most soybean seed companies are offering more complete varieties today compared to a decade ago. They are delivering high yielding varieties with suitable maturity and disease resistance options that add value to crop rotations and the bottom line,” says Brad Pinkerton, Manitoba marketing representative for SeCan, who believes that the introduction of weed control technology like Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans was a turning point for Manitoba growers. He notes weed control systems not only keep soybean fields clean but also help to break weed cycles in other rotational crops and provide another herbicide resistance management tool that growers are gladly adopting. Pinkerton also points out that, while canola remains a primary crop in Manitoba, growers are recognizing soybeans are easier to manage in comparison, and that’s another key contributing factor to the growth in acres.
Mark Jorgenson, Western Canada seed business manager with Sevita International, has been involved in the soybean industry since the early 2000s and has witnessed the evolution of the industry’s advancement firsthand. He notes that while there are more soybean varieties than ever, especially genetically modified varieties, he’s seeing a recent rise in conventional acres as growers look to spread their risk and capitalize on value-added premiums. “We’ve seen a lot of changes over the years, including markets for our soybeans. As the consumption of food grade soybeans continues to grow, Manitoba growers are in a position to take advantage of yet another opportunity that soybeans can offer,” says Jorgenson.
The growth of Manitoba soybeans has also seen the industry evolve in how it markets and coordinates the crop. Increased production has fuelled the growth of Delmar Commodities’ Jordan Mills processing facility in Roland, Man. along with exports. With Manitoba soybeans representing less than one per cent of the global soybean supply, exporters have refined export programs to capitalize on significant global demand.
Marketing Manitoba soybeans has also been adjusted to account for the quality produced. “Historically, Western Canadian soybeans have been discounted relative to other origins due to quality perceptions,” explains Brian Innes, executive director of Soy Canada. Discounts have been one of the topics covered at Soy Canada’s Northern Soybean Summit events that started in 2022.
“The increased dialogue at the summits among exporters, growers, seed companies and growers has helped to align actions by all value chain members with what customers value,” Innes explains. One tangible outcome is the ongoing work exploring ways to enhance the value of northern Canadian soybeans (also known as eastern Prairie soybeans), particularly in Manitoba, by having quality understood to be more than just crude protein content.
“There are a lot more opportunities to come,” predicts Innes. “Advances in soybean genetics have evolved Manitoba’s soybean sector to what it is today, and we’re in a great position to help meet the growing demands for Canadian soybeans while providing growers with a profitable crop for their rotations.”
Phillips also believes there are great opportunities for Manitoba soybeans, saying “they are improving the profitability and sustainability of our farms. Soybeans are an economical crop to grow with consistent yields that help growers form the foundation of a sustainable crop rotation.”
Looking forward, Domitruk believes Manitoba’s soybean sector is quickly closing the gap on mature markets like Ontario and Quebec when it comes to acres and yields. “I think we’re on the threshold of the next major milestone that will push our industry forward,” he says.
Industry Insights
Decades of growth have shaped Manitoba’s soybean industry into what it is today – one that offers significant opportunities for everyone along the value chain. Reflecting on the current industry, Soy Canada members share their observations and expectations, noting the evolution and anticipated future of soybean production in the province.
“Soybeans are a solutions-based crop. They offer growers agronomic solutions like weed control, along with disease and nutrient management. Soybeans are also sustainable, and as a nitrogen fixing crop, they can offer nutrient sources to enhance soil and plant health.” – Bryce Rampton, portfolio marketing manager for Corteva Agriscience’s Pioneer brand in Western Canada
“Manitoba soybean growers have more confidence than ever before. New genetics and trait technologies are delivering the quality, yields and crop management results that growers need.” – David Kikkert, Canada corn and soybean portfolio lead with Bayer Crop Science
“It’s taken time to get where we are today, but the soybean varieties available to Manitoba growers work for the growers and the end users. The outlook looks bright for the continued advancement of our industry.” – Mark Jorgenson, Western Canada seed business manager with Sevita International
“Focused breeding programs have delivered soybean varieties that are specific to Manitoba’s environment and growing conditions. These investments have enabled our industry to advance to where we are today.” –Brad Pinkerton, Manitoba marketing representative for SeCan
“Seed companies have done a good job adapting soybean genetics that perform for Manitoba growers. Soybeans have become a valuable and profitable addition to crop rotations. – Daryl Domitruk, executive director of Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers