It seems that the current buzzword in the dairy industry is “high-oleic.” For the last few years, I have been attending dairy producer conferences and meetings throughout the country, speaking with dairy producers, nutritionists and university researchers. No matter which group I meet with, high-oleic soybeans seem to come up every time.
Located in West Point, Nebraska, and processing soybeans since 1958, Grain States Soya, Inc. has a long history of soybean processing. Most large soybean processors in Nebraska use hexane extraction. This process involves cleaning, cracking, conditioning and flaking soybeans before soaking them in hexane to extract nearly all the oil. Some heat is involved, but generally not enough to make the resulting soybean meal a rumen-bypass protein source. Our process is different and specializes in producing a rumen-protected soybean meal called Soybest. It involves cleaning, cracking and precision heating the soybeans before they are mechanically pressed. This leaves approximately 6–7 percent soybean oil in the meal and uses no chemicals, creating an all-natural product. Due to our unique processing method, we also have the capability of bypassing the expellers to produce roasted full-fat soybeans.
When I first heard about high-oleic soybeans several years ago, I was interested but skeptical. I wondered whether it might be another short- term trend and whether it would be economically viable, given the limited supply of high-oleic soybeans and the additional requirements placed on processors and growers. After all, most commodities Nebraskans work with emphasize volume rather than specialized products such as those in organic or non-GMO applications.
So what are high-oleic soybeans? They are often misinterpreted as “high- oil” varieties; however, the oil content remains approximately 20 percent of the soybean—the same as in conventional varieties. The primary difference is the oil’s fatty acid composition. Conventional soybean oil typically contains about 15 percent saturated fatty acids, 23 percent oleic acid, 54 percent linoleic acid and 8 percent linolenic acid. High-oleic soybeans, such as Pioneer’s Plenish® varieties, shift this profile dramatically to approximately 12 percent saturated fatty acids, 75 percent oleic acid, 8 percent linoleic acid and 2 percent linolenic acid. For comparison, high-oleic soybean oil shares many traits with olive oil but actually contains less saturated fat.
What does this mean for dairy producers, and why are they so excited? Conventional soybean oil is high in linoleic acid, which can disrupt rumen bacteria, often leading to acidosis and milk fat depression. The altered composition in high-oleic soybeans makes the oil more stable in the rumen. The increased oleic acid supplies readily digestible energy without the negative rumen effects. As a result, high-oleic soybeans can serve as a major energy source in modern dairy rations and can replace more expensive supplemental fats. In addition, when roasted, high-oleic soybeans provide an excellent source of rumen-protected protein. This allows dairy producers to save money on feed costs by providing a single product that delivers high-quality protein and fat. Dr. Adam Lock of Michigan State University, who spoke at this year’s Nebraska Dairy Convention, has conducted extensive research on feeding high-oleic soybeans to lactating dairy cattle. Lock says that feeding 8-16% dry matter of roasted high-oleic soybeans can result in dairymen receiving an additional $1.00 per head per day due to increased milk yield and milk fat yield. This is significant for dairymen who are constantly facing rapid price movements in milk.
What does this mean for Nebraska soybean growers? The economic opportunity benefits everyone along the supply chain, beginning with our local Nebraska soybean growers. For the 2026 crop, Grain States has partnered with Pioneer/Plenish to contract acres dedicated to Plenish soybeans. This program has connected us with an outstanding team—from management in Des Moines to representatives and growers right here in Nebraska. We may be biased, but Nebraska farmers are truly among the finest people to work with. My father, Mark Knobbee, CEO of Grain States Soya, has worked with local growers around West Point for his entire career. For us, this is more than a faceless transaction driven solely by the market. We know our growers, see them in town and know their families in the community. Bringing this program to our area has been deeply rewarding. This year, we are offering a $1.00 per bushel premium for Plenish E3 soybeans and $1.25 per bushel for Plenish Roundup Ready soybeans. The additional $0.25 for the Roundup Ready variety accounts for the potential additional challenges and costs of weed control, helping growers manage those expenses. Plenish soybeans have grown rapidly, and Pioneer continues to expand seed availability. While supply remains somewhat limited in our region this year, more supply and varieties are expected for the 2027 crop. Although we would welcome greater volume, the current limited seed supply will help us manage logistics as we scale production. Plenish is a stewarded, identity-preserved product, which requires careful handling to prevent commingling with conventional soybeans. Growers must clean equipment when switching between conventional and Plenish soybeans. We maintain a dedicated unloading pit and bins at our facility. When delivering high-oleic soybeans, growers simply inform us, and we verify the oleic acid content with a near-infrared test, and they unload at the dedicated pit. High-oleic soybeans represent more than a passing trend—they offer a
sustainable, value-added opportunity that strengthens the dairy and soybean sectors. By providing dairy producers with a cost-effective, high-energy feed ingredient that supports milk production and fat yield without the risks associated with conventional soybeans, and by delivering meaningful premiums to Nebraska growers, this program creates shared prosperity across the supply chain. At Grain States Soya, we remain committed to innovation, quality and the communities we serve. We invite Nebraska soybean growers to contact us to learn more about contracting Plenish soybeans for the coming seasons.
