With National Seed Health System-accredited phytosanitary inspections and methods developed for and by the processing industry, Illinois Crop Improvement Association (IL Crop) is setting a gold standard for seed health and market readiness for new genetics.
When most people think about crops, they picture rows of green fields or in the case of soy maybe a block of tofu on a plate. What they don’t see is the intricate web of data, testing, and global logistics that makes it all possible. At IL Crop, that behind-the-scenes work is the main event—and it’s reshaping how crops get from the lab bench to dinner plate.
With roots in seed certification, IL Crop has quietly evolved into one of the most sophisticated service hubs in the plant breeding ecosystem. And its impact is particularly pronounced in the high-stakes world of identity-preserved crops.
“We’re not just testing seed,” says CEO Doug Miller. “We’re helping breeders predict, select, and deliver exactly what processors—and ultimately, consumers—want.”
That starts with precision analytics. The team can take just 100 grams of soybean seed and run a full battery of wet chemistry tests—protein, oil, fiber, moisture—alongside a unique small-batch tofu method that evaluates yield, texture, color, and taste. Want to know if your variety will work in tofu production before you scale it? They’ll make the tofu, taste it, and even overnight it to you.
But the innovation doesn’t stop there. With a greenhouse screening program for herbicide sensitivity, a Puerto Rico winter nursery offering two growing seasons during the winter, and up to three growing seasons per year, seed vigor analyses and full accreditation under the National Seed Health System for phytosanitary inspections, Illinois Crop Improvement is operating like a custom R&D lab for global breeders.
Need nitrogen solubility or protein dispersibility data to support a contract with a processor? They’ve got you. Lost your local growing season to drought or disease? Their Puerto Rico farm has your back—with both data generation and seed increase services to keep your program on track.
And yes, they’ll even help you find a place to stay and rent a car if you’re visiting the Puerto Rico station in January—the IL Crop website is full of helpful info.
“We’re here to make sure nothing slows down the breeder,” Miller says. “That means better genetics, faster—and ultimately, better food for everyone.”
Want to get into the weeds (the useful kind)? Visit ilcrop.com for info.
