Eastern Ontario’s Sevita Genetics develops first non-GM high-oleic soybean variety in Canada

Ontario – After years of plant breeding and development, a Canadian-owned soybean company has released the first non-Genetically Modified (non-GM) high-oleic soybean variety in Canada. Alinova, a SCN tolerant, non-GM soybean variety with exceptional yield potential, was developed by Sevita Genetics, a leading developer of soybean varieties for Canadian growing conditions. Alinova and future high-oleic varieties from Sevita Genetics have recently received approval from Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Alinova and high-oleic soybean oil varieties are sought after by international food companies and processors. High-oleic soybeans offer an oil profile that is comparable to olive or canola oils. It is considered to have greater oxidative stability, compared to standard soybean oil, resulting in extended shelf life of food products. The oil has a unique taste profile for food manufacturing and has less saturated fat than commodity soybean oil, making this variety an attractive ingredient for health-conscious consumers.

Sandy Hart, General Manager of Sevita International emphasized, “This is a great example of our fully integrated business model creating value for growers and end users alike. Alinova and future high-oleic varieties from Sevita Genetics will be extremely high yielding and support strong premiums for growers due to their unique end use characteristics. We are very proud to have developed these varieties, which are a first for Canada and we are fully committed to continuing our investment in genetics to provide Canadian growers with high yielding and high value production opportunities in years to come.”

Sevita’s leading edge plant breeding techniques are creating varieties that present new and profitable opportunities for Canadian growers. This mid-to-late season variety for Ontario and Quebec is an extremely high-yielding food-grade variety and is already in high-demand from food manufacturers around the world.

Mark MacDuff, Plant Breeder at Sevita Genetics remarked,  “We are focused on creating soybean varieties for Canadian growers and have become a leading developer of varieties for Canadian growing conditions. Sevita Genetics has the unique advantage of working with an array of industry partners and has a close relationship with soybean food manufacturers. This way we ensure food-grade varieties meet their specific food requirements and ensure there is demand for the variety before it is commercialized and grown by local growers.”

High yielding and high value varieties mean profitable production opportunities for growers. This concept is the foundation of Sevita’s soybean breeding program, and their efforts are paying off for Canadian growers.

Wes Hart agrees. As a fourth-generation grower north of Woodstock Ontario, this will be his second year growing Sevita’s Alinova variety on his 1,100-acre farm. Hart emphasized, “Alinova was by far our best performing soybean last year. It matured evenly, had no disease issues, and stood well in multiple cropping systems ensuring an easier harvest. At a relative maturity of 1.5, Alinova’s fit our program very nicely and was a bullet for productivity and profitability that in turn increased our bottom line.”

Field testing has confirmed that Alinova’s yields are on par with industry leading GM products and is a top-yielding non-GM variety in its maturity (Relative Maturity 1.5 [2900 CHU]). Like most of Sevita’s varieties, Alinova also offers soybean cyst nematode resistance and attractive grower premiums.

Since its inception, Sevita has expanded its pipeline of buyers for Canadian grown soybeans into Asia, Europe, and parts of North America. Leading edge manufacturers process Sevita’s food-grade soybeans into various kinds of soy food products like tofu, soymilk, natto, miso, soy sauce, soy cream, soy-based meats, pizza, yogurt, cheese and more.

Alinova is primarily sent to Asia for food manufacturing. A predominant Alinova purchaser in Japan says the amount of oleic acid in the fatty acid composition of Alinova soybeans is comparable to that of olive oil and is a healthy alternative. It also contains less soybean odor and has a long shelf life which is suitable for plant-based foods.

Alinova production contracts may still be available for the 2023 growing season and will be featured in various research and on-farm plots across Eastern Canada. To learn more about Alinova or the Sevita line-up of food-grade and traited soybeans, visit sevita.com.