Fueling Livestock Growth: The Power of South Dakota Soybean Meal

The South Dakota livestock industry consumed more than 347,000 tons of soybean meal in 2021—enough to fill nearly 9,000 semis. However, pigs, cattle, and poultry aren’t dependent on corn or soybeans; they require a specific nutrient profile that soybean meal delivers, thanks to checkoff-backed research and innovation. The result? Significant gains in animal health, productivity, and economic value for local producers.

An Evolution in Feed Formulations

Dr. Bob Thaler, a prominent livestock nutrition researcher, began his career in the 1980s when synthetic amino acids were only starting to emerge. Today, he serves as the Farm Credit Services of America Endowed Chair in Swine Production at South Dakota State University, where he serves as Distinguished Professor and SDSU Extension Swine Specialist.

In his four decades advising the livestock industry, he’s seen a shift in the perceptions of soybean meal.

"In swine, poultry, and even aquaculture diets, soybean meal has always been valued for its well-balanced profile of essential amino acids. However, as synthetic amino acids became more affordable throughout the 1990s and 2000s, they began to replace soybean meal in many feed formulas,” Dr. Thaler explains.

Recognizing this trend, the soybean industry joined forces with researchers like Dr. Thaler and Dr. Eric Weaver at SDSU to study the effects of increasing soybean meal levels in feed.

Beyond Amino Acids: New Benefits in Livestock Diets

“We’re seeing remarkable results in both breeding sows and finishing pigs, suggesting that soybean meal’s impact goes beyond just amino acid content," shares Dr. Thaler. “The pig we had 12 or 13 years ago is not the pig we have today…we have a much higher-producing animal.” This progress, he notes, is partly due to refined nutritional formulations.

“Soybean meal is more than just a source of protein; it’s rich in a variety of essential nutrients,” he adds. Amino acids, especially lysine, act as building blocks for proteins essential for muscle and tissue development, directly affecting growth, production, and reproduction, ultimately boosting farm productivity and profitability.

Revised Energy Values and Health Advantages

In the past, nutritionists viewed soybean meal as having a lower energy value than corn. “As a nutritionist or feed formulator, these values play a key role in developing animal feed formulas due to their economic impact,” Dr. Thaler explains. “Recent research in the commercial sector shows that soybean meal actually has a much higher energy value than previously thought.”

This updated research, driven by checkoff funding, makes soybean meal more economically appealing, offering enhanced energy value in livestock feeds. Dr. Thaler also highlights the advantages of soybean meal over synthetic amino acids in managing livestock health: “Studies have shown that in disease-challenging situations, animals—especially finishing and nursery pigs—fed higher levels of soybean meal recover faster and manage disease better than those fed synthetic amino acids.”

This makes soybean meal a valuable addition for animal health, offering benefits beyond basic nutrition.

Conclusion: A Future Built on Sustainable, Productive Livestock

As the South Dakota livestock industry evolves, soybean meal remains a cornerstone of effective, science-backed nutrition. Checkoff-supported research continues to drive its value forward, ensuring that soybean meal not only supports livestock growth but also fortifies animal health, enhances productivity, and strengthens the agricultural economy across the state.