Farmer profitability can be enhanced by ensuring that the soy value chain is using an accurate definition of the U.S. soy advantage and bringing that value back to farmers. This project generates valuable information for crushers, sales desks, regulators and influencers by providing key information about soybean meal (SBM) by identifying major feed ingredient demand by species at the state and national levels. Additionally, this project identifies competitive threats and opportunities related to SBM inclusion in animal diets. Continuing from prior iterations of this effort, DIS conducted historical analysis on location of animal species, estimated the economic importance of the animal industry and estimated SBM consumption by species, by stage of life (if appropriate) and by state/region. DIS utilized our “ration cost optimization” (RCO) methodology, as was used in FY20, FY21 and FY22, the results of which were peer reviewed by trusted nutritionists.

This report demonstrates the competitive nature of soybean meal related to other competing feed ingredients. As stated earlier and within the final report, the enhanced methodology adopted in FY2020 adds a higher degree of robustness, particularly to competing ingredients, to consumption estimates not possible in earlier iterations. We encourage soybean growers, processing plants, nutritionists, and livestock producers to become familiar with the results from this study so they can better utilize and communicate the positive aspects of SBM as the nation’s premier source of plantbased protein. We also continue to encourage stakeholders to familiarize themselves with the results from the economic impact portion of the report so they are better able to communicate the size and nature of the animal agriculture industry across the country. In many states, the animal agriculture industry is very important to the success of the soybean industry. Familiarity with the animal unit trend analysis will further assist the soybean industry to better anticipate regional and state-level shifts in animal populations.