Whole roasted soybeans outperformed soybean meal and distillers grains in cattle diets

Whole roasted soybeans have proven to be more effective in feeding beef cattle compared to traditional supplements such as soybean meal and distillers grains. This conclusion was reached by researchers at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln during a three-year large-scale study.

The experiment involved 400 steers that were fed different rations. The group that received whole roasted soybeans demonstrated the highest average daily weight gain despite consuming less feed.

“We found that soybean products have broad potential for use in cattle diets. With the growth in soybean production, there is renewed interest in incorporating soy — both whole and processed — back into rations,” explained Professor Galen Erickson, head of the study.

The main advantage of this option is that heat treatment (roasting) protects soybean protein from rapid breakdown in the rumen. This allows valuable amino acids to be absorbed in the small intestine rather than lost. In addition, unlike meal, whole soybeans contain more oil, which provides cattle with a concentrated source of energy. Overall, roasted beans are safer for animals: roasting neutralizes trypsin inhibitors that may hinder digestion in other species. While not critical for cattle, this processing still improves feed digestibility.

Despite the additional processing, roasting increases feed cost by only $5–10 per ton. According to the researchers, this is a minor premium compared to the potential gains from higher weight increases.

“We now understand the biology that can be applied to analyze any economic scenario. The final decision on using whole soybeans will depend on market prices for soybeans and distillers grains,” Erickson concluded.

Tags: soybean, compound feed