Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 20, A new three-year breeding program worth $4.3 million has started in Canada to develop non-genetically modified soybean varieties that mature earlier, deliver higher yields, and contain increased protein levels. These varieties are tailored for cooler, shorter-season areas such as Manitoba and northern Ontario, enabling soybean cultivation to move farther north and increasing overall production capacity.

Funding comes from Protein Industries Canada, which covers 45 percent of the cost, and four industry partners — NRGene Canada, Pulse Genetics, Hensall Co-op, and Yumasoy Foods — which together provide the remaining 55 percent. The program runs until March 2028, with commercial seed release scheduled afterward.

The initiative focuses on creating non-GM soybeans that match or exceed the performance of existing varieties in yield, protein content, and resistance to key diseases, including soybean cyst nematode. By narrowing the performance difference between non-GM and other market offerings, the project aims to give farmers more competitive choices suited to northern conditions.

Growing demand for plant-based protein in Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia offers significant export potential for Canadian soybeans. The new high-protein varieties are expected to help farmers capture a larger share of these expanding markets. Yumasoy Foods, one of the project partners, will evaluate the lines for food-grade applications and develop new processing methods, which should support additional employment in the food sector.

Protein Industries Canada highlighted that continued investment in variety development will reinforce the country’s position as a major soybean supplier on the global market while opening new opportunities for value-added processing and export growth. The program combines advanced genomic selection tools from NRGene Canada with traditional breeding expertise from Pulse Genetics and practical field experience from Hensall Co-op to accelerate the delivery of improved varieties to farmers.