Benson Hill Biosystems, Brownseed Genetics Offer New Corn Hybrids

(Benson Hill Biosystems/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Benson Hill Biosystems, a crop improvement company unlocking the natural diversity of plants, has entered into a partnership with Brownseed Genetics, a Wisconsin-based seed breeder of new corn hybrids that are higher in both oil content and essential amino acids.

The new Brownseed hybrids have been developed through conventional breeding methods and offer significant added value for growers, livestock, and ethanol and biodiesel producers. The hybrids yield about 9 percent corn oil—nearly triple the normal production—and are rich in the amino acids lysine and methionine.

"Brownseed's focus on varieties with both quality and productivity benefits can generate greater profitability for growers, livestock producers and the ethanol industry," said Matt Crisp, CEO and co-founder of Benson Hill.

After four encouraging trial runs of E+corn in research and commercial-scale ethanol plants, he (Charles Brown, CEO, Brownseed Genetics) said, the company plans a major planting in 2020. Most ethanol plants require only limited modifications in their line process to accommodate the hybrid, he added.

Corn oil, used for cooking and biodiesel fuel, and distillers grains, used for animal feed, are both by-products of the corn-to-ethanol process. A hybrid that yields more oil and more nutritious distillers grains stands to offer significant financial benefit to the corn-to-ethanol industry with positive ramifications up and down the supply chain. READ MORE