By Lesley WJ Nernberg, Lighthouse Agri-Solutions and Matthew Clark, FeedGuys Resources
In the animal feed industry, animal nutritionists and procurement teams are increasingly prioritizing soybean meal – not just by crude protein content, but by the quality, consistency and digestibility of amino acids delivered in every ton of feed. With the shift toward precision nutrition, the distinct strengths of northern U.S. soybean meal become increasingly apparent to those making purchasing and formulation decisions. Northern U.S. soybean growers are meeting this challenge with a product with value grounded in real-world animal performance outcomes.
Understanding the amino acid profile – Beyond crude protein
Soybean meal is recognized as the key protein contributor to animal feeds, yet protein’s true value lies in its breakdown into individual amino acids. These “building blocks” are essential for efficient lean tissue deposition, productivity, and overall health of poultry and livestock. Not all origins of soybean meal deliver the same profile, or the same digestibility, of these amino acids.
Recent analysis show that northern U.S. soybean meal is especially notable for its balanced and reliable amino acid profile. This meal consistently delivers optimal levels of critical amino acids like lysine, methionine, cysteine, threonine, tryptophan (or total as CAAV) – along with valine, isoleucine and arginine. Because these amino acids are present in the right proportions, nutritionists can reduce the use of costly synthetic supplements and achieve more predictable results in animal performance.
This data illustrates northern U.S. soybean meal offers a highly reliable baseline of amino acid supply, forming the backbone for consistent feed formulation and targeted animal nutrition programs.
Beyond the label: Focusing on amino acid availability
In animal nutrition, knowing the total amount of amino acids in a feed ingredient helps evaluate its potential contribution to the diet. However, it is even more important for nutritionists and ingredient buyers to understand how much of each amino acid can be digested and absorbed by the animal, since only these are truly available for growth and production.
In this regard, northern U.S. soybean meal consistently stands out from other sources. Studies in both poultry and swine have measured standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids and found that these digestibility values differ depending on the region where the soybean meal is produced. Results repeatedly show that soybean meal from the U.S., especially the northern region, provides higher and more consistent digestibility coefficients compared to alternative origins.
Aguirre et al. (2024) recently published findings in Poultry Science showing that overall protein digestibility is higher in U.S. soybean meal compared to South American sources. The SID of lysine was measured at 93.5% for U.S. meal, compared to 93.0% for Brazilian meal and 92.1% for Argentine meal. In addition, the total content of critical amino acids was greater in U.S. soybean meal, further supporting its nutritional value for poultry diets
This means feed producers sourcing northern U.S. soybean meal can formulate diets with greater confidence in nutrient uptake, less over-formulation, and improved cost efficiency. Overall, the “net protein” delivered by each load of northern U.S. meal is both higher and more reliable than other ingredient alternatives.
Looking beyond percentages: Assessing protein quality
For feed mill purchasing teams, focusing only on protein percentage can be misleading – as an ingredient with high crude protein but low digestibility or imbalanced amino acid ratios can be more costly due to the need for supplemental additives or risk of performance losses.
Key protein quality parameters of consideration:
- KOH solubility: An indicator of protein digestibility – well processed northern U.S. soybean meal typically achieves optimal KOH solubility, signifying minimal heat damage and maximum digestibility.
- Protein dispersibility index: Reflects how well protein particles remain suspended and available – northern U.S. soybeans excel in this measure, indicating proper processing and retained nutritional value.
- Trypsin inhibitor and urease activity: Critical test for anti-nutritional factors – northern U.S. soybean meal is routinely low in these components, supporting excellent animal feed safety and efficiency.
Quality parameter benchmarks for soybean meal
| Parameter | Typical Values for U.S Soybean Meal | Interpretive Value |
| KOH Protein Solubility | 73-85% | Optimal range for high digestibility |
| Protein Dispersibility Index | 15-30% | Indicates minimal heat damage |
| Trypsin Inhibitor Activity | < 2 mg/g | Low level of ANF present |
| Urease Activity | <0.2 (pH rise) | Identifies proper thermal processing |
These objective values are the benchmarks that quality control teams and buyers should verify with shipments – and where northern U.S. state soybean producers and processors pride themselves on consistent delivery.
Why protein quality matters
Buyers selecting northern U.S. soybean meal invest in more than just protein as they gain dependable animal performance, lower requirements for nutrient supplementation, and better feed conversion results. Formulating diets around accurate, digestible amino acid profiles, rather than relying solely on crude protein, is in line with the latest best practices in animal nutrition. This positions northern U.S. growers as valuable partners within the supply chain, offering strategic advantages beyond basic commodity sales.
This level of value is firmly supported by science and the long-established reputation of U.S. soybean farmers and processors for quality control. Nutritionists and procurement teams may request specific data from suppliers, not only on total protein, but also on the batch amino acid profile, digestibility values and relevant protein quality indicators. Prioritizing northern U.S. soybean meal ensures consistent delivery of essential amino acids and transparent quality metrics like KOH solubility and PDI for every batch, reducing risk and maximizing reliability in feed formulation.
Summary: Strategic sourcing for the best outcomes
Feed formulation is only as good as the raw materials chosen. The northern U.S. stands apart for its unique soybean production environment and access to advanced processing infrastructure. These conditions support the creation of soybean meal with distinctive quality advantages, consistently high amino acid content, and reliable digestibility – ensuring that U.S. soy products remain the best available option for animal nutrition feeding programs worldwide.
For more information, insights, and technical resources on maximizing the value of northern U.S. soybean meal in sustainable poultry production, visit Northern Soy Marketing’s website
