Input costs are unpredictable. Grain prices can swing quickly. Weather keeps testing every production plan.
Agriculture has always required adaptability, but today's market may be testing that more than ever. For many farms, the answer comes down to one principle: diversification.
For growers across the Northern Plains and Midwest, identity-preserved (IP) non-GMO soybeans and yellow field peas offer a way to diversify both the crop rotation and the marketing plan.
At a glance:
Rather than relying only on traditional commodity markets, IP crops connect growers to buyers who value traceability, quality, and consistent supply.
The USDA notes that identity-preserved systems are designed to keep crops segregated and traceable from seed to end user. That creates added value throughout the supply chain and often generates premiums for growers willing to meet those requirements.
Food-grade non-GMO soybeans go into products people eat every day, including:
These uses require specific quality characteristics and reliable sourcing. In the MN CropCast discussion on Identity Preserved Soybean Production and Export, Aaron Lorenz and other industry experts emphasized that these markets rely on specific varieties and quality standards that differ from commodity soybean production.
And demand is growing. The Non-GMO Soybeans Acreage Study found that U.S. non-GMO soybean acreage increased significantly in 2026 after several years of decline, reflecting renewed market demand and continued opportunity for growers in IP programs.
Market opportunities for peas continue to expand in food ingredients, pet food, and plant-based protein. But the value of peas doesn't stop at the elevator.
Better yields in the following crop. Research from Patrick M. Carr and colleagues at North Dakota State University found that wheat following field peas yielded more than 15% higher than continuous wheat. Researchers concluded that the rotational benefit goes beyond nitrogen contributions alone, supporting long-term productivity across the operation.
Better returns for the system. A University of Nebraska-Lincoln study found that replacing fallow with field peas increased annualized gross revenue by an average of about $113 per hectare (roughly $46 per acre) across multiple site-years. Additional research shows that pulse-inclusive rotations can improve long-term economic performance while supporting agronomic sustainability.
Perhaps the biggest benefit of NGMO soybeans and yellow field peas isn't any single premium, yield bump, or agronomic advantage.
It's having more than one way to make money.
Farms that spread risk across different crops, end-use markets, and marketing channels are often better positioned to weather uncertainty. Commodity markets will always play an important role, but specialty crops can provide additional options when margins tighten or volatility rises.
As food manufacturers look for secure, traceable, North American ingredient supplies, growers raising IP non-GMO soybeans and yellow field peas are well positioned to serve markets that value consistency, transparency, and long-term relationships. No crop is immune to market challenges, but diversification remains one of the most reliable tools for building an operation that can adapt and capture new opportunities.
At PURIS, we believe crop diversification and market diversification go hand in hand. We offer growers opportunities across:
Each helps farms access markets that value quality, traceability, and reliable domestic supply.
One of the strongest signs of the value these programs provide is grower retention. Every operation is different, but an overwhelming majority of growers who join our non-GMO soybean and yellow field pea programs keep raising them year after year. Dedicated markets, premium opportunities, rotational benefits, and strong agronomic fit have made these crops a long-term part of many successful operations.
Markets will change. Input costs will fluctuate. Weather will always be unpredictable. But growers who pair agronomic diversification with diversified marketing are often the most resilient over the long run.
At PURIS, we're proud to help growers build that resilience through non-GMO soybeans, yellow field peas, and the next generation of identity-preserved crop opportunities.