Soymilk and tofu demonstration in NCI’s Soy Foods lab

The Northern Crops Institute (NCI) hosted its Food Soy Procurement course from June 16-20, 2025. Designed for professionals involved in the soy foods industry, the course offered in-depth education on sourcing and utilizing identity preserved (IP) and food grade soybeans. This year’s program included 9 participants representing soymilk and tofu manufacturing companies from the United States, India, and Nepal.

Throughout the week, participants engaged in lectures, hands-on demonstrations, facility tours, and networking opportunities with industry leaders and producers. The course covered key topics including cash and futures markets, soybean pricing and shipping logistics, grading and breeding of food grade soybeans, tours, and more.

The course began with welcome remarks from the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA), and NCI. Participants were introduced to the work of SSGA and PURIS Grains, followed by a tour of the Peltier Complex. They also sampled a variety of soy-based products and listened to presentations on the futures markets, how they interact, real time trading data, and testing new soybean varieties. The day concluded with hands-on demonstrations in NCI’s Soy Foods lab on soymilk and tofu production and sensory evaluation.

The second day started with participants visiting a local grocery store to observe soy products in the market, followed by a group discussion on market trends. The morning continued with an in-depth presentations on market strategy and futures trading. In the afternoon, the group traveled to Casselton, ND for a tour of SB&B Foods production facility and a nearby soybean field.

The third day began with presentations on evaluating food grade soybean experimental breeding lines, food grade soybean breeding, and the U.S. soybean grading system and identity preserved soybeans. Participants then engaged in a hands-on grading session using a variety of soybean samples. In the afternoon, the group toured Brushvale Seed in Breckenridge, MN followed by a producer panel discussion and Q&A. The day concluded with a picnic dinner and networking opportunity with local soybean producers and Brushvale staff.

Picnic dinner with Brushvale Seed and local soybean producers

The fourth day was spent at NCI listening to various presentations and lectures. The morning session included topics such as contracts, pricing, shipping, and payments, as well as the economic advantage to utilizing identity preserved and food grade soybeans. Participants learned about the Identity Preserved logo and its role in communicating quality assurance. Afternoon sessions included container freight transportation, soy food plant operations, and short presentations from industry partners including Grain Millers Inc., Peterson Farm Seed, HC International, and Richland IFC. The North Dakota Trade Office closed the day with a session about their services in export planning, international development, and educational tools.

The final day featured presentations from USSEC on the strengths of U.S. soy and an overview of the specialty soy database. The course wrapped up with presentations on soybean harvesting and storage, and the value of working with independent marketing and risk management consultants. Participants were awarded certificates of completion to mark the end of a successful week.

This program was made possible through the support of the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) and its Identity Preserved program, North Dakota Soybean Council, South Dakota Soybean Checkoff, and Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council.

NCI Hosts Food Soy Procurement Course | June 16-20, 2025

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