Comparison of Soybean Products for Beef Cows

Two experiments compared whole soybean and soybean meal/hull supplements on the performance of beef cows. The experiment design was a 2 x 3 factorial with two supplements and three age groups of cows. The cows were fed either 1.36 kg/d of whole raw soybeans or 1.56 kg/d of a soybean meal/hulls supplement (dry matter basis) and free choice access to bermuda grass hay. Supplements were formulated to provide similar amounts of protein and energy, but a greater fat content with the whole soybeans. In the first experiment, 166 crossbred beef cows individually fed supplements for an average of 80 days during mid to late gestation. During the first 50 d of supplementation, cows fed soybean meal/hulls gained more body weight (10 kg) and had better body condition scores (0.18 units) than cows fed whole soybeans. However, for the entire 296-day experiment no significant differences in body weight or body condition scores were reported for the two supplements. Calves from cows fed soybean meal/hulls were 2 kg heavier at birth, however, there was no difference in calf body weights seen at weaning between supplements. First service conception rate (68%) and pregnancy rate (73%) were not different between supplements. In the second experiment, the effect of supplement composition on forage intake and digestion were determined. No treatment differences were observed in forage intake or digestibility of dry mater, fiber or crude protein. The researchers concluded that compared to supplementation with soybean meal/hulls, whole soybean supplementation during mid to late gestation resulted in reduced body weight gains and had no effect on calf weaning weight, subsequent reproduction, forage intake or nutrient digestion. Bottom line-both whole soybeans and soybean meal can be used to supplement low quality roughage in beef cow operations.

Banta, J.P. and co-workers. 2008. Whole soybean supplementation and cow age class: Effects on intake, digestion, performance and reproduction of beef cows. J. Animal Sci. Epublished on April 25.