Soybean meal is palatable, nutrient dense, high in digestibility, and a relatively consistent source of protein. It has an excellent amino acid profile and is a concentrated source of protein and energy.
Soy meal combines all these nutrient-dense benefits into one ingredient at a price that makes it cost-effective for livestock operators. Today, nearly 98% of the world’s soybean meal ends up in animal feed—primarily to supplement the diets of farm-raised poultry, pigs, and fish, as well as companion pets like dogs.
Soybean meal offers the most complete nutrient profile of any common feedstock. Some of its most significant nutritious benefits include:
- Protein
Soybean meal contains 47-49% protein and 3% crude fiber if the hulls are removed before processing. Processors often leave some hulls in tact or add separated hulls back into the material after processing to create a meal with about 43-46% protein and at least 6% crude fiber.Monogastric (single-stomached) animals, like pigs and chickens, don’t digest dietary fibers very well, so they prefer low-fiber, high-protein feeds. Soybean meal offers the highest protein content of any common oilseed or grain, supplying the most complete source of plant-based protein. - Energy
Soybean meal offers more metabolizable energy than any other plant protein, especially when processed in a mechanical press like the Anderson Expeller. The press leaves about 5% residual oil in the meal, which boosts fat-based energy in feed. - Amino acids
Soybean meal provides all the essential amino acids that monogastric animals require—especially those like lysine and tryptophan that are lacking in corn and other cereal grains. Plus, the amino acids in soybeans are highly digestible. Compared to other oilseed meals, soybean offers the highest lysine digestibility and ranks high in methionine, cystine, and threonine.
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