A recent survey conducted by Northern Soy Marketing during its “Understanding U.S. Soy Quality Seminars” in Vietnam and Indonesia reveals that traders and nutritionists agree on key factors that determine the quality of soybeans.
The survey results emphasize the importance of northern-grown soybeans and their nutritional value.
NSM is a farmer-led board formed by the soybean checkoff boards of Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
The survey results indicate that while crude protein levels remain an important factor, survey respondents also prioritized other quality measures such as essential amino acid and energy levels. Interestingly, the survey also revealed that nearly half of the respondents would be willing to pay $5-10 more per metric ton for the extra digestible amino acids and energy found in U.S. soybean meal compared to Brazilian and Argentine meal.
This preference stems from the understanding that there is generally an inverse relationship between the level of crude protein and essential amino acids in soy. Soybeans and soybean meal with lower crude protein levels tend to have higher levels of essential amino acids, which is advantageous for livestock growth, as excess crude protein can lead to various issues.
“Excess crude protein results in higher water consumption, wet litter and downgrades in the carcasses from breast blisters and foot pad lesions,” says NSM poultry nutrition consultant Dr. Robert Swick, referring to poultry.
NSM issued surveys to traders and livestock nutritionists during their trade missions in Vietnam and Indonesia this winter. The purpose of these missions was to build relationships and discuss the superior quality of U.S. soybeans and soybean meal with international feed mill executives, purchasers, and nutritionists.
