Soy’s secret health boost: How soybean meal supports livestock through disease and heat stress

As both a soybean grower and a hog producer, United Soybean Board (USB) Director Tim Bardole sees the payoff when soybean meal inclusion goes up in his pigs’ rations.

“The difference is amazing,” Bardole says. “When there’s a higher rate of soybean meal and fewer synthetics and DDGS in their feed, not only are my pigs healthier, but I can tell that microbes are breaking down manure in the pit more efficiently and the air quality in my barns is better.”

Bardole’s experience isn’t unique.

Several years ago, researchers first noticed a similar trend when an integrator observed that pigs battling porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) not only survived at higher rates but also performed better when fed diets with higher levels of soybean meal.[1]

That unexpected observation sparked additional research funded by the Soy Checkoff^SM. Today, USB is expanding those studies to better understand how soybean meal helps livestock cope with disease and other stressors, including heat stress. Researchers believe identifying the mechanism behind these benefits could further distinguish soybean meal from competing protein sources and support an additional 1.2 to 1.9 million U.S. tons of soybean meal used annually in swine feed alone.

“Soybean meal contains bioactive compounds—such as isoflavones and saponins—that do more than provide protein,” explains Brooke Jasek, USB director of technical animal nutrition. “These compounds remain in the meal after processing and help support an animal’s metabolism during periods of stress.”

Research shows these naturally occurring compounds can help animals maintain performance when faced with challenges such as respiratory disease and heat stress.

By comparison, feed rations designed primarily to reduce cost often replace some soybean meal with ingredients such as distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and crystalline amino acids. While those diets may meet basic nutrient requirements, they also reduce the naturally occurring compounds found in soybean meal that optimize health and performance during periods of stress.

Healthier, more productive animals give livestock producers another reason to include soybean meal in their feed rations. That stronger demand ultimately creates additional value for U.S. soybean farmers.

“Over the past 10 years or so,” says Jasek, “the Soy Checkoff, along with some of the state soybean organizations, has invested in follow-up work.

“This is an opportunity that benefits both livestock producers and soybean farmers,” she continues. “The more we understand the value soybean meal provides beyond nutrition, the better positioned we are to demonstrate its value throughout the livestock industry.”

Bardole is watching the practice spread.

“Awareness is definitely growing among farmers,” he says, “even though we’re still on the early side of the adoption curve.

“Not only does a higher inclusion rate help the health and productivity of our pigs, it helps our local soybean farmers by reducing the need for imported synthetic ingredients. It’s a real win for our country to be able to produce more of what we need right here at home.”

To learn more, visit the U.S. Soy Center for Animal Nutrition and Health, which provides research, technical resources, and practical information on soy-based solutions for the poultry, swine, beef, and dairy industries.

Source:

¹ Rochell, S.J., L.S. Alexander, G.C. Rocha, W.G. Van Alstine, R.D. Boyd, J.E. Pettigrew and R.N. Dilger. 2015. Effects of dietary soybean meal concentration on growth and immune response of pigs infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. Journal of Animal Science 93(6):2987-2997. doi: 10.2527/jas.2014-8462