Agri-food tech: Leveraging “cloud biology” to cultivate protein-packed soybeans for plant-based boom

11 Dec 2020 --- Benson Hill has bred a variety of soybeans that contain higher protein and oleic acid. The crop improvement company leverages its Cloud Biology platform, CropOS, which is like a “GPS” for plant scientists and breeders. This comes as the appetite for high-protein soybeans – particularly as ingredients to serve the booming plant-based foods market – surges.

Crop OS enables proprietary phenotyping, predictive breeding and environmental modeling algorithms to help meet its targeted commercialization of “ultra-high protein” soybean varieties in 2021. 

The supplier speaks to FoodIngredientsFirst about its expansion activities, while detailing how plant-based, healthy oils, livestock and aquaculture producers could conserve resources more efficiently through its digital solutions-backed crop.

The crop improvement company has recently entered a collaboration with family-owned Rose Acre Farms – the second largest egg producer in the US – to build out its supply chain for its low anti-nutrient soybeans. 

Benson Hill’s “identity-preserved” soybean variety is designed to offer more protein content than traditional conventional soybeans.Bred with Cloud Biology
Cloud Biology is a system that combines data, machine learning and AI techniques with biological sciences.

“It accelerates breeding by enabling greater precision and fewer breeding cycles. It is like GPS for plant scientists and breeders. It takes the guesswork out to reach our desired outcomes faster and more efficiently,” a Benson Hill representative tells FoodIngredientsFirst.

“Historically, breeding has been a blend of science and chance – a lengthy, expensive process where outcomes often come with tradeoffs,” they explain.

“As one plant characteristic such as yield is optimized, another such as protein content is compromised. CropOS changes this by enabling greater control and precision. This means reduced costs and greater accessibility.”

The company representative notes that Benson Hill’s soybean crop is bred from the beginning to have fewer trade-offs and reach the market faster.

“We can improve sustainability by breeding plants capable of doing more with less. We are able to better influence characteristics such as taste and texture while also reducing processing steps and the need for additives,” the company representative highlights.

Comparisons to conventional soybeans
The company is also non-GMO Project Verified at the seed-level for its products.

“We have designed soybeans with lower anti-nutrient content such as oligosaccharides. This improves digestion in poultry, swine and fish which, in turn, decreases farm resource needs such as water maintenance and usage,” details the company representative.

Partnership with Rose Acre FarmsBenson Hill’s soybean crop is bred from the beginning to have fewer trade-offs and reach the market faster.
Benson Hill has partnered with growers to contract more than 30,000 acres of premium soybeans this growing season in Indiana, US.

To minimize cost and the carbon footprint of transportation, Benson Hill selected Rose Acre as a partner to develop a processing facility close to its grower partners. 

Benson Hill and Rose Acre Farms are now enrolling growers for the 2021 growing season.

This collaboration will allow local growers in Seymour, Indiana, US, to tap into price premiums for food- and feed-grade identity-preserved soybeans.

“We believe this strategic partnership will deliver value to local farmers and, by opening a new market pathway for in-demand soybean ingredients, support higher land and commodity prices over time,” says Tony Wesner, COO of Rose Acre Farms.

Benson Hill offers its soybean food and feed-grade seed varieties through its Benson Hill Seeds division.

“Demand for high-quality, high-protein soybeans – particularly as ingredients to serve the booming plant-based foods market – continues to grow,” says Chris Wilkins, COO of Benson Hill.

“We expect the plant protein market to continue to increase at a double-digit percentage over the next several years.”

Novel breeding solutions in the agri-food tech space continue to feature strongly amid industry’s aims to fortify supply chain resilience. Recent examples include the unlocking of a new genetic variety in wheat and barley, AI-powered phytonutrient analysis and PepsiCo’s “quest for the perfect oat.”

By Benjamin Ferrer