Roasted Soybean versus Soybean Meal for Feedlot Steers

Three studies were conducted comparing roasted soybeans (127 degrees for 10 minutes) to soybean meal. The diets were 15-percent corn silage, 15-percent orchardgrass silage and 70-percent corn-based concentrate. Results indicate that the hot carcass weights, fat weight and percent of fat were less and the percent of bone was greater in the ninth, tenth and eleventh rib section for the roasted soybean diet compared to the steers fed soybean meal. Carcass quality measurements were similar for the two treatments. The authors suggested that even though including whole oil seed in ruminant diets may be a practical way to increase the ener-gy density of the diet and adding needed supplement protein, there is no difference in carcass quality measure. The higher edible carcass weight gain for the soybean meal treatment reduces the incentive for using full-fat soybeans in supple-menting feedlot cattle.

Rumsey, T S., and co-workers. 1999. The effect of roast-ed soybeans in the diet of feedlot steers and Synovex-S ear implants on carcass characteristics and estimated composit-ion. J. Animal Sci. 77:1726-1734.