NGFA supports rule to remove ‘Soybeans of Other Colors’

(Posted on 20/07/23)

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) have commended the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for issuing final rules to remove “Soybeans of Other Colors” (SBOC) as a grading factor for determining soybean quality.

The NGFA, established in 1896, consists of grain, feed, processing, exporting and other grain-related companies that operate more than 8,000 facilities handling U.S. grains and oilseeds.

“NGFA appreciates the efforts of USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Moffit and Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Deputy Administrator Arthur Neal as well as the leadership of the American Soybean Association (ASA) and the North American Export Grain Association (NAEGA) to address this issue that has been impacting the U.S. soybean market over the past two years,” NGFA President and CEO Mike Seyfert said. “The amount of seed coat variation resulting in U.S. soybeans has increased over this period and, as a result, more soybeans have been downgraded on account of SBOC. USDA recognizes the importance of consistent and widely recognized grade standards to the marketability of our agricultural products. The final rule published today will help fulfill the intent of U.S. official grade determining factors and factor limits.”

In comments submitted May 1 supporting the proposed amendments to the U.S. Standards for Soybeans, NGFA and 42 other agricultural groups noted: “The continued inclusion of SBOC in the soybean grade standard…[is] contrary to the objectives of the U.S. Grains Standards Act.”

Representatives of U.S. soybean producers and grain traders requested that USDA remove SBOC as a grade-determining factor for describing the quality of soybeans (e.g., U.S. No 1 Yellow Soybeans, U.S. No. 2 Yellow Soybeans, etc.). 

The amendments supported by the NGFA and other agricultural representatives remove SBOC as a grade-determining factor but keep it in the standards as part of the definition of Yellow Soybeans. 

Importantly, at the request of the Grain Inspection Advisory Committee, the Federal Grain Inspection Service conducted a study that found no significant differences in official protein or oil content in SBOC.

Latest News

Simandou partners celebrate start of operations

The President of the Republic of Guinea has joined project partners WCS1, Baowu, Chinalco and Rio Tinto... Read more

GSC launches mining advisory division, strengthening global investment capabilities

GSC (Global Strategic Commodities) has announced the launch of its dedicated mining advisory division... Read more

SSAB issues first green bonds amounting to SEK2,800m

SSAB AB has successfully issued its inaugural green bonds under its EUR 2 billion EMTN programme, dated... Read more

Anglo American publishes shareholder circular for merger with Teck

On 9 September 2025, Anglo American plc and Teck Resources Limited announced that they had reached an... Read more

Bunge closes agreement to acquire NWT grain elevator assets

Bunge has successfully closed its purchase agreement for the grain elevator assets of North West Terminal... Read more

NGFA applauds Senate committee for advancing Grain Standards Act reauthorisation

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) in the USA has applauded the Senate Agriculture Committee... Read more

Rio Tinto announces board changes.

As Rio Tinto previously reported, the size of its Board peaked at 14 Directors during a transitional... Read more

ADM advances quality capabilities with new central milling laboratory

ADM , a global leader in human and animal nutrition, has celebrated the opening of its new Central Milling... Read more

Bunge announces reporting segment changes and recast outlook

Bunge Global SA has announced that it has changed its segment and volume reporting to align with the... Read more

Open Trade Coalition calls for bold and open EU trade policy

As the European Parliament prepares for the confirmation hearings of the new Commissioners, the Open... Read more