Low protein content is an issue for Western Canadian soybeans.

Soy Canada's Director of Market Development Jim Millington discussed the issue at a Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers (MPSG) soybean production meeting held earlier this month in Portage la Prairie.

He noted the cause is currently under investigation.

Jim Millington"We're working with the public and the private soy researchers to develop a plan for that and also to develop a route cause," explained Millington. "It's related to agronomy in the plants, it's a variety thing. Some researchers that I've talked to are thinking that it's directly related to soybean cyst nematode. There really is no short answer right at this time, but we're working with the researchers to try to find a root cause and to fix it going forward."

Millington said because of the low protein, the discount on the Vancouver market can range from 30 to 35 cents US per bushel versus the Pacific Northwest.

He added that soy exporters are concerned over the lower protein levels coming out of Manitoba and the seed size, while the end user in Asia is primarily interested in the consistency of protein year over year.

Manitoba is now the second largest soybean producing province in Canada.