Soybean Meal — Livestock Feed Analysis
Soybean meal is the most widely used protein supplement in livestock and poultry nutrition worldwide, providing 44% crude protein and 84% TDN on a dry matter basis. The protein quality of soybean meal is excellent for monogastric animals, with a well-balanced amino acid profile that complements the amino acid deficiencies of cereal grains. Soybean meal provides high levels of lysine, the first-limiting amino acid in corn-based swine and poultry diets. For ruminants, soybean meal provides both ruminally degradable protein for microbial growth and ruminally undegradable protein that passes to the small intestine for direct absorption. Soybean meal is used in virtually every species of livestock feed formulation, from dairy cow TMRs to broiler starter diets. The 44% protein designation refers to solvent-extracted dehulled meal; expeller-pressed or full-fat soybeans have different protein and energy values.
Which Animals Can Soybean Meal Feed?
The table below shows how Soybean Meal performs as a sole feed source for each of the 20 livestock species in our database. At 44% crude protein and 84% TDN, this feed meets the protein requirement for animals needing up to 44% CP and the energy requirement for animals needing up to 84% TDN. In practice, feeds are rarely used as the sole source; this analysis helps determine where soybean meal fits in a mixed ration.
| Animal | Needs CP | Needs TDN | As-Fed/Day | CP Met? | TDN Met? | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beef Cow | 7% | 52% | 26.7 lbs | Yes | Yes | $180.00 |
| Dairy Cow | 16% | 70% | 54.4 lbs | Yes | Yes | $367.50 |
| Horse | 10% | 55% | 24.4 lbs | Yes | Yes | $165.00 |
| Meat Goat | 10% | 55% | 5.8 lbs | Yes | Yes | $39.38 |
| Dairy Goat | 14% | 65% | 6.7 lbs | Yes | Yes | $45.00 |
| Sheep | 10% | 55% | 5.8 lbs | Yes | Yes | $39.38 |
| Pig (Sow/Boar) | 14% | 75% | 13.3 lbs | Yes | Yes | $90.00 |
| Pig (Grower/Finisher) | 16% | 80% | 8.3 lbs | Yes | Yes | $56.25 |
| Chicken (Layer) | 16% | 70% | 0.2 lbs | Yes | Yes | $1.50 |
| Chicken (Broiler) | 20% | 78% | 0.3 lbs | Yes | Yes | $2.25 |
| Turkey | 22% | 75% | 1.0 lbs | Yes | Yes | $6.56 |
| Duck | 16% | 70% | 0.3 lbs | Yes | Yes | $2.36 |
| Rabbit | 16% | 65% | 0.3 lbs | Yes | Yes | $2.10 |
| Llama | 10% | 55% | 7.0 lbs | Yes | Yes | $47.25 |
| Alpaca | 10% | 55% | 3.0 lbs | Yes | Yes | $20.25 |
| Donkey | 8% | 50% | 8.3 lbs | Yes | Yes | $56.25 |
| Bison | 7% | 52% | 40.0 lbs | Yes | Yes | $270.00 |
| Elk | 12% | 60% | 22.2 lbs | Yes | Yes | $150.00 |
| White-tailed Deer | 12% | 60% | 5.6 lbs | Yes | Yes | $37.50 |
| Miniature Horse | 10% | 55% | 6.7 lbs | Yes | Yes | $45.00 |
Cost Comparison with Similar Feeds
Selecting the most cost-effective feed requires comparing both the as-fed price and the price per ton of dry matter. The table below compares Soybean Meal with other feeds in the protein-supplement category and common reference feeds. The cost per ton of dry matter accounts for moisture content, providing a fair comparison between feeds with different moisture levels.
| Feed | DM % | CP % | TDN % | $/Ton | $/Ton DM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grass Hay | 88% | 8% | 52% | $150 | $170 |
| Alfalfa Hay | 90% | 18% | 58% | $250 | $278 |
| Whole Corn | 88% | 9% | 88% | $220 | $250 |
| Soybean Meal | 90% | 44% | 84% | $450 | $500 |
| Cottonseed Meal | 91% | 41% | 75% | $380 | $418 |
| Canola Meal | 90% | 36% | 74% | $350 | $389 |
Feeding Guidelines for Soybean Meal
When incorporating soybean meal into a livestock feeding program, consider the following nutritional characteristics. With a dry matter content of 90%, each pound of as-fed soybean meal provides 0.90 lbs of actual dry matter. The crude protein content of 44% means that each pound of dry matter delivers 7.0 grams of crude protein. The TDN content of 84% indicates the proportion of the feed that is digestible and available for energy.
The cost of soybean meal at $450 per ton translates to $0.225 per pound as-fed or $0.250 per pound of dry matter. When evaluating whether to use this feed, compare the cost per unit of the nutrient you are trying to supply. If you need protein, calculate the cost per pound of crude protein. If you need energy, calculate the cost per unit of TDN. The most economical feed choice depends on which nutrient is the limiting factor in your ration and the relative prices of available feeds in your local market.
Storage requirements vary by feed type and moisture content. Feeds with less than 15% moisture (most dry hays and grains) can be stored in open-sided barns or covered stacks for months to years without significant nutrient loss. Feeds with higher moisture content require either airtight storage (silage, haylage) or must be consumed within days of delivery (wet brewers grains, wet distillers grains). Proper storage prevents mold growth, mycotoxin contamination, and dry matter losses that can significantly increase the effective cost per unit of nutrition delivered to the animal.
Always introduce new feeds gradually over a period of 7-14 days, increasing the proportion of the new feed while decreasing the old feed by equal amounts each day. Sudden dietary changes disrupt the microbial population in the rumen (for ruminants) or the hindgut (for horses), potentially causing digestive disturbances ranging from mild loose stools to life-threatening acidosis or colic. This gradual transition is especially important when switching between forages and concentrates, or when introducing high-starch feeds like corn or barley to animals previously consuming an all-forage diet.
Other Feed Types
Compare nutritional profiles and costs for all livestock feeds in our database.