North Carolina’s soybean industry is a major economic force, contributing $2.9 billion and supporting nearly 5,000 jobs, thanks to the state’s reputation for high-quality, high-protein soy. At the heart of this success lies a crucial, often unseen, process: grain grading.
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS), authorized by the U.S. Grains Standards Act, ensures that every bushel of soybeans meets a strict set of quality standards. This rigorous grading process is what gives N.C. soy its value. Without these standards, the marketability of the crop would plummet, directly impacting farmers’ incomes.
For most farmers, their one interaction with the grading system is at the point of delivery to a processor or grain elevator. Here, their soybeans are tested, sorted, and consolidated into larger lots. The official grade assigned to the crop determines the price the farmer receives. For customers, both at home and abroad, this official U.S. grade is a “gold standard,” providing assurance that the soybeans they’re buying have been thoroughly vetted for quality and purity.
This guarantee of consistent quality is particularly vital for international customers. When trading partners place multiple orders months apart, they can be confident that each shipment will be held to the same exacting standards. Ultimately, these robust grain standards, backed by federal law and administered by the NCDA&CS, are a powerful tool for enhancing the reputation of North Carolina soybean farmers in the global marketplace.
