Food for thought: Council director joins Soy Nutrition Institute
Food for thought: Council director joins Soy Nutrition Institute
As farmers, when we think of soybeans, we typically think of animal feed, biodiesel, soybean oil and other value-added products. When most of the public thinks of soy, they think of it as a food source.
But look closer.
“The reality, and I think every farmer and most of us in the industry understand, is that livestock is our primary utilizer or customer,” said Patrick O’Leary, District 4 director with the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council board and Soy Nutrition Institute Global board member. “When we look at soy nutrition on the human side, it’s very much an understanding that there’s benefits to using soy in diets from a protein standpoint.”
The Soy Nutrition Institute (SNI) Global was founded in 2004 through the initiative of the United Soybean Board (USB). SNI Global works to identify, develop, and fund soy-related research priorities and provide evidence of the impact of soy on human health. The organization works closely with researchers, soybean farmers, soybean processors and other soy companies.
“It’s really important to us as farmers and industry people to make sure that soy has a reputation, a positive reputation, across all aspects of its use,” O’Leary said, “whether that be industrial uses, animal consumption or human consumption.”
O’Leary was recently appointed to the SNI Global board as a voting member through USB. The recent April meeting was his first meeting with the group.
“Even though we understand (human health) isn’t the primary customer for us, it is a customer, and humans are a customer and utilization in food is significant,” O’Leary said.
