2023
Bridging Soybean Meal Quality and Sustainability
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Contributor/Checkoff:
United Soybean Board
Category:
Feed
Keywords:
Amino acidsAnimal nutritionBroiler chickensEnergyMeal marketing and promotionSoy mealSustainabilitySwine
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Todd Doehring, Centrec Consulting Group, LLC
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
23-105-D-B-2-B
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
United Soybean Board
$118,725
Institution Funded:
Centrec Consulting Group, LLC
$118,725
Brief Project Summary:
A recent checkoff-funded study conducted by this project team concluded that the value of SBM in swine and poultry diets increases as SBM quality (defined by amino acids and energy content) increases. In addition to potential increased market value, improved SBM quality may also have a beneficial environmental impact. Another recent study titled “Life-cycle analysis of SBM, distiller-dried grains with solubles, and synthetic amino acid-based animal feeds for swine and poultry production” (Benavides, P.T. 2020) estimated the carbon intensity measured by GHG emissions of producing feed ingredients commonly used in swine and poultry diets. The study found that corn and SBM produced for swine and poultry diets had the lowest GHG emissions, while production of synthetic amino acids (Threonine and L-lysine) had the highest GHG emissions. These findings suggest inclusion of higher quality SBM (amino acid and energy content) would result in animal diets that were more sustainably produced. This project bridges these two recent studies to provide evidence of how SBM derived from soybeans grown by U.S. farmers provides an exceptional nutritional bundle in swine and poultry diets while contri
Information And Results
Project Summary

Project Objectives

Project Deliverables

Progress Of Work

Final Project Results

This project provides evidence of how soybean meal (SBM) derived from soybeans grown by U.S. farmers provides an exceptional nutritional bundle in swine and poultry diets while contributing to a positive environmental impact. Results of the analysis show that higher quality SBM (increased amino acid and energy concentrations) increases SBM value in the swine and poultry diets and results in diets that have lower GHG emissions.

Benefit To Soybean Farmers

The analysis conducted provides new evidence that will enable USB to convey a SBM value and sustainability message. Promoting SBM as a more sustainable product compared to alternatives will make U.S. soybean farmers more resilient in addressing consumer demands. In addition, U.S. Soy’s reputation will be elevated by providing evidence that can be leveraged to increase engagement of stakeholders in the soy value chain and promote more economical and environmentally focused supply chains.

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.