Benson Hill’s AI-driven soybean advancements poised to transform agriculture

USA- Benson Hill Inc., a leading agricultural technology company, has achieved significant progress in its soybean breeding program, utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance its seed portfolio.

The company anticipates doubling its seed offerings by 2025, thanks to recent breakthroughs in its third generation of Ultra High Protein Low Oligosaccharides (UHP-LO) non-GMO soybean varieties.

Field evaluations conducted on these innovative soybean varieties demonstrated a remarkable 2% increase in protein content compared to the previous generation. Furthermore, the yield gap, when compared to commodity GMO soybeans, was only three to five bushels per acre, signifying a groundbreaking achievement in balancing yield and protein.

Benson Hill attributes this success to CropOS, its AI-based prediction and data insights platform. Jason Bull, the Chief Technology Officer of Benson Hill, stated, “We’ve successfully demonstrated that CropOS can drive our predictive breeding efforts and give us a step-change forward on multiple traits like protein and yield.”

The company envisions expanding its seed portfolio in 2025 to include two dozen varieties, encompassing protein, lower indigestible sugars, and quality oil.

This development is expected to significantly accelerate the speed to market with de-risked, outcome-based products, transforming the soybean industry.

In a recent statement, Deanie Elsner, the Chief Executive Officer of Benson Hill, highlighted the company’s expanded soybean portfolio for 2024, introducing five value-added varieties during FARMCON 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Benson Hill aims to offer more than 20 varieties for the 2024 planting season, providing US soybean farmers with a diverse range of options across multiple maturity groups.

The company’s non-GMO UHP-LO soybean varieties have demonstrated novel attributes for poultry diets, swine rations, and pet food, unlocking opportunities in the broadacre animal feed sector in the next two to three years.

The research confirmed higher yields, increased protein levels, and lower anti-nutritional factors associated with UHP-LO.

Looking ahead, Benson Hill plans to release herbicide-tolerant Ultra High Protein soybean varieties commercially in 2025. This release is expected to facilitate weed control options for farmers and enable lower-cost, broadacre production of Ultra High Protein soybeans for the feed industry, with further expansion anticipated in 2026.

Benson Hill’s strategic position in driving seed innovation for aquaculture, pet food, swine, and poultry markets is reinforced by its proprietary soybean germplasm.

The company’s recent field evaluations underscore its commitment to transitioning towards an asset-light model focused on partnerships and licensing, including seed.

Deanie Elsner emphasized, “Today, Benson Hill is well positioned to validate our products with customers and end users to create market demand and begin to scale our seed innovations across approximately 7 million acres by 2030.”

The company’s advancements represent a significant leap forward in revolutionizing soybean agriculture through cutting-edge technology and innovation.

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