Soybean Meal
The Value of U.S. Soybean Meal
Soybean meal (SBM) is one of three primary components of a processed whole soybean, along with soybean oil and soybean hulls. It is produced by flaking, extruding or grinding whole soybeans, then using a mechanical press or a solvent to remove most of the oil component. The United States has earned a strong reputation for bringing high-quality SBM to the global market, delivering measurable value to customers.
Soybean Meal Benefits in Animal Feed
Livestock producers around the world will tell you that soybean meal derived from U.S. Soy is the gold standard in animal nutrition. In fact, SBM represents two-thirds of the global output of protein feedstuffs.1 However, not all SBM is considered equal in terms of nutritional value. Analysis shows that the nutrient bundle of soybean meal derived from U.S. Soy outperforms SBM from other origins, delivering more value to producers. Soybean meal derived from U.S. Soy is also verified as sustainable, which is increasingly important to customers in markets around the globe.
U.S. Soybean Meal Value Goes Beyond Protein
U.S. soybean meal is an excellent source of high-quality protein. Because most soybeans grown in the U.S. are closely related varieties processed in state-of-the-art facilities, soybean meal derived from U.S. Soy has, on average, a 48% protein composition.2
However, soybean meal derived from U.S. Soy benefits go far beyond protein value. It exhibits a superior amino acid profile and digestibility compared to those of Argentine or Brazilian SBM.3 These qualities are extremely important when evaluating swine, poultry, aquaculture and ruminant feed options in animal nutrition.
Soybean meal derived from U.S. Soy has a higher metabolizable energy value than Argentine and Brazilian SBM as well.4 With regard to sucrose, soybean meal derived from U.S. Soy has higher levels than SBM from Brazil and is comparable to SBM from Argentina.5 These factors will help your customers and livestock producers reduce feed costs and improve animal performance and efficiency.
The Unmatched Consistency of U.S. Soybean Meal
International buyers also choose soybean meal derived from U.S. Soy for its consistent nutritional bundle. The superior amino acid profile of soybean meal derived from U.S. Soy exhibits less variability than that of soybean meal from Brazil and Argentina.6 This result is supported by the superior processing facilities in the U.S. Consistency in SBM supports diet formulation applications, helping lower costs and boost sustainability. It also helps improve digestibility in ration formulations.
If SBM exhibits patterned variability, nutritionists will typically apply safety margins to their feed formulations to ensure nutrient needs are satisfied, which adds costs. SBM with less variability in quality delivers increased cost savings.
Reliability Makes a Difference
Reliability and deliverability are very important to buyers. U.S. soybean meal is delivered to foreign markets via truck, train and ship using reliable transportation routes, ensuring you have access to the product you need, when you need it. When buying from other markets, you may encounter hurdles related to transport and reliability. Sourcing soybean meal derived from U.S. Soy, on the other hand, gives customers the assurance and peace of mind that they won’t run into supply issues.
Why International Buyers Choose U.S. Soy
Why do international buyers choose U.S. soybean meal when looking for a reliable, value-driven product? In short, soybean meal derived from U.S. Soy offers superior nutritional value and can help your business meet your customers’ needs.
Fact Sheets for Buyers
Learn about the value and benefits of other U.S. Soy products, including whole soybeans, soybean oil and specialty U.S. Soy.
1. Heuzé, V., Thiollet, H., Tran, G., Lessire, M., Lebas, F., & de Menna, F. (2015). Soybean meal. Feedipedia, INRAE, CIRAD, AFZ, and FAO. https://feedipedia.org/node/674.
2. Van Eys, J. E. and Ruiz, Nelson. (2021). Quality Manual and Analysis for Soybean Products in the Feed Industry. Third Edition, U.S. Soybean Export Council, 23, 26-27, 31.
3. American Soybean Association. (2018). The nutritional value of U.S. soybean meal.
4. Ravindran, V., Abdollahi, M. R., & Bootwalla, S. M. (2014). Nutrient analysis, metabolizable energy, and digestible amino acids of soybean meals of different origins for broilers. Poultry Science, 93(10), 2567–2577. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.2014-04068.
5. Ibáñez, M., Blas, C., Cámara, L., & Mateos, G. (2020). Chemical composition, protein quality and nutritive value of commercial soybean meals produced from beans from different countries: A meta-analytical study. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 267, 114531.
6. Lagos, L. V., & Stein, H. H. (2017). Chemical composition and amino acid digestibility of soybean meal produced in the United States, China, Argentina, Brazil, or India. Journal of Animal Science, 95(5), 1626–1636. Retrieved from https://nutrition.ansci.illinois.edu/node/1172.
