Some of the products the company I work for develops are specifically for the Ag seed research industry. We develop instruments like on combine weigh systems used to measure weight, moisture and yield of various grain hybrids as they are harvested.
From my limited perspective, it appears that for decades this industry has cared most (almost entirely) about breeding hybrids that increase yield in various climates. There has been very little attention paid to other constituents and characteristics of the seed.
It’s only been in the last few years that our ag research customers have been interested in breeding for other characteristics. I think in large part this is because it’s not been very cost effective to collect this data (primarily through things like near-infrared spectroscopy mounted on harvesters and drones)
Yes, those seed companies are breeding for what the _market_ is demanding. As the market is currently constructed, for better or worse, farmers are more successful when they can sell more gain (e.g. higher yield). There is _no_ reward for quality traits on most agricultural crops except for wheat.
