October 27, 2005
Purdue grain lab offers free soybean quality analysis
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University's Grain Quality Laboratory is offering quality traits analysis during the harvest season for Indiana-grown soybeans.
The free service is an opportunity for soybean producers to make more informed decisions about variety selection based on composition testing, said Dirk Maier, Purdue professor of agricultural and biological engineering.
"Seed companies also can use this service for information regarding the seed oil and protein content to select for soybean varieties with specific yield and content values," Maier said.
Soybean samples may be taken from test plots, along with farmers' fields, to be analyzed for test weight, moisture, protein, oil and fiber content. Amino acids, fatty acids, isoflavones and estimated processed value may be measured, as well, Maier said.
Growers and seed companies should collect samples to submit to the Purdue Grain Quality Lab from not more than one variety grown in a field.
Samples should be taken during harvest from each truck- or wagon-load. Samples should be combined to total a three-pound unit in a cloth or paper bag, and should be labeled with location/field/date, the soybean variety, soil type, row width and ZIP code. The bag also should be labeled with a name (individual, farm or company), mailing address, phone number, fax number, e-mail address and how the results should be returned.
Each sample will be assigned a unique code for the grower. Producers can use the number to compare results with others anonymously on Purdue's Post Harvest Grain Quality & Stored Product Protection Program Web site. Data from the soybean samples will aid in determining high-performing varieties for the 2006 season, Maier said.
The quality traits analysis service is funded through a partnership with the Indiana Soybean Board and the Indiana Crop Improvement Association.
Writer: Chelsea Carter, (765) 494-8402, carterc@purdue.edu
Source: Dirk Maier, (765) 494-1175, maier@purdue.edu
Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page
Related Web sites:
Purdue Post Harvest Grain Quality & Stored Product Protection Program
Purdue Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering
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