Beck’s adds high-oleic soy trait to its portfolio

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Beck’s has acquired the exclusive licensing rights of the SOYLEIC patents from the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council.

This marks a significant milestone in farmer-driven innovation and expanding new market opportunities for farmers across the United States, said Casey Wasser, CEO and executive director of Missouri Soybeans.

Developed through decades of farmer-funded research at the University of Missouri and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, SOYLEIC soybeans are a high-oleic, low-linolenic variety designed to deliver soybean oil with improved stability and performance without hydrogenation.

This results in a longer shelf life, improved performance under high heat and a domestically sourced alternative to imported oils. These benefits directly connect farmer production to growing end-user demand, Wasser said.

“This is a major win for farmers,” he said. “SOYLEIC represents years of research, investment and persistence. Beck’s acquisition validates that work and ensures this technology has a clear path to scale, stability and long-term value.”

MSMC spent years protecting the integrity of the trait, supporting university research and building pathways toward commercialization.

Beck’s will now lead those efforts by expanding seed production, supporting agronomic placement and developing market channels to take high oleic soybeans to the next level.

“This investment transitions SOYLEIC from a successful, farmer-funded research initiative into a scalable commercial product,” said Scott Beck, president of the family-owned seed company.

“With our footprint across the U.S., the technology is now positioned to reach more farmers and deliver a consistent supply to processors and end users.”

Beck’s is making the SOYLEIC trait broadly available to other current and pending seed licensees, while continuing to expand SOYLEIC throughout the United States. All farmers can continue to enjoy the benefits of SOYLEIC in brands they know.

Beginning with the 2027 growing season, Beck’s plans to offer two SOYLEIC non-GMO varieties, as well as three SOYLEIC+TECH soybean varieties, with the SOYLEIC+TECH varieties featuring the Enlist E3 trait package.