Soybeans & Softseeds

Oilseed Processing Increases the Value of U.S. Crops

NOPA members’ oilseed processing operations yield protein-rich meal for human and animal nutrition, as well as vegetable oil for use as an ingredient in food manufacturing and as a feedstock for renewable fuels. Crude vegetable oil may be further refined for use in a wide array of industrial applications.

NOPA’s mission is to assist the U.S. soybean, canola, flaxseed, safflower seed and sunflower seed processing industries to be the most competitive and efficient in the world by utilizing the combined expertise, knowledge, and resources of its members to foster market- and science-based policies. Each of these oilseeds, and the products derived from them, are discussed below.

Soybean

Soybeans consist of approximately 20 percent oil and 80 percent meal. Soybean meal is the world’s most important source of vegetable-based protein. It is used primarily in animal feed. A small percentage of soybean meal is also used in human food products including soy milk, soy flour, soy protein, tofu and many retail food products. Soybean oil is the world’s most widely produced and widely consumed vegetable oil. In addition to its use by food manufacturers for baking and frying, soybean oil is also a feedstock for biofuels (biodiesel/renewable diesel) and may be further refined for use in a variety of industrial products.

Canola

Canola seeds contain approximately 45 percent oil. Canola oil is widely used for cooking, baking, sauteing, frying,  marinating and salad dressings. It is also a feedstock for biofuels (biodiesel/renewable diesel) and bioplastics. Canola meal is highly valued for live stock feed, especially for beef cattle and dairy cows.

Flax / Linseed

Flax seeds are typically cultivated for their fiber for use as linen yarn and fabric, rope and netting, whereas linseed is primarily used to generate oil. Oil cake residues are further used in livestock feed. Linseed oil is also used in the production of paints, printing inks, linoleum, varnish, and oilcloth.

Safflower

Safflower oil contains nearly 75 percent linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid for nutrition, and is used primarily for edible oil products such as salad oils and soft margarines. It is also used in industrial applications including paints and other surface coatings. The meal that remains after oil extraction is used as a protein supplement for livestock.

Sunflower

Sunflowers are cultivated for their nutritious seeds and oil. Sunflower oil supplies more Vitamin E than any other vegetable oil and is used in food manufacturing. It may also be further refined and de-waxed for use as a feedstock for biodiesel. Sunflower meal, a by-product of the oil extraction process, may be used in livestock feed.