The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced that the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) has published a proposed rule seeking public comment on amendments to the U.S. Standards for Soybeans that would remove “Soybeans of Other Colors” (SBOC) as a grading factor for determining soybean quality.
The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on March 31, 2023.
Under the authority of the U.S. Grain Standards Act (USGSA), USDA established the soybean standards to help in the marketing of soybeans. Currently, these standards include SBOC as a grade-determining factor for describing the quality for soybeans (e.g., U.S. No 1 Yellow soybeans, U.S. No. 2 Yellow Soybeans, etc.).
Historically, SBOC levels are low, rarely impacting the grade of soybeans. In 2021 and 2022, the soybean industry experienced an increased presence of SBOC, which made it more difficult for shippers of U.S. soybeans to meet contract grade requirements.
USDA received numerous requests from representatives of U.S. soybean producers and grain traders to remove SBOC as a grading factor. Additionally, at the request of the USDA Grain Inspection Advisory Committee (GIAC), FGIS conducted a study to evaluate whether the presence of SBOC had an impact on the quality of soybean protein and oil. The study found no significant differences in official protein or oil content.
In response to the requests for changes to the soybean standard and to the findings of the study, USDA has proposed to amend the soybean standards, accordingly. In addition to the proposed amendments, USDA is seeking comments on the proposal to implement any changes effective Sept. 1, 2023.
AMS invites public comment through May 1, 2023. Comments should be submitted online at www.regulations.gov.
For more information about the proposed rule, contact Barry Gomoll, Grain Marketing Specialist, at Barry.l.Gomoll@usda.gov.
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