Data from our lab showed a larger swine ME in low oligosaccharide (LO) soybean meal (SBM) vs. conventional (C) SBM. To assess the value of C vs. LO soybeans and 2 processing approaches (SBM or soybean white flakes [SWF; post-hexane oil extraction]), 200 pigs (6.0 ± 0.3 kg BW; ~21 d old) were used in a completely randomized block design with 5 dietary treatments. Each treatment had 10 block-replicates. The ME in SBM and SWF from C and LO was assumed the same. Treatments were (1) Control, with SBM-C and formulated to have ME, Lys (ileal digestible), and Lys:ME as reported in National Swine Nutrition Guide (2010); (2) with SBM-C and formulated with 110 kcal less of ME/kg of diet, but same Lys as Control (so that AA would not limit growth if LO ingredients contribute with extra energy); (3) as diet 2 but using SBM-LO; (4) as diet 2 but using SWF-C; (5) as diet 2 but using SWF- LO. Experimental diets were fed during 25 d post-weaning, following a feeding program of 5, 6, 7 and 7 d for phases 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Then, treatment 1 phase 4 diet was fed to all pigs for additional 7 d. Dietary inclusion of soy products in treatments 1 vs. 2 to 5 was: 20 vs. 30% in phase 1; 30 vs. 32% in phase 2; 35 vs. 38% in phase 3; and 43 vs. 40% in phase 4. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedures of SAS; block was used as a random effect in the model. From d 0 to 5, pigs fed soybeans LO ate 18% more (P = 0.07) than pigs fed soybeans C. Pigs fed SBM-LO diets had equal or better performance than pigs fed Control diets, despite the reduction in ME. Pigs fed SWF had the lowest (P < 0.05) G:F to d 25 and 32.

In conclusion, SBM-LO is a value added option to replace SBM-C in nursery diets.