Soybeans, Soy Hulls and Soy Hull Pellets: A Beneficial Rudiment Animal Feed Ingredient

With an increasing demand for organic and healthy ingredients, soybeans have risen into the spotlight over the last few years; however, soybeans and their byproducts have been known in the animal feed realm for centuries.

The soybean is a species of legume native to East Africa and has multiple uses including:

• animal feed
• soy milk
• tofu
• tofu skin
• soy sauce and more

While soybeans are the largest source of edible oils in the United States, producing more stable oils which requires less hydrogenation and provides a trans-fat-free alternative for applications such as frying oil, their popularity is not just because of their low trans-fat content and production abilities.

Soybeans are known to contain phytic acid, which is not digestible in humans and non-ruminant animals. Therefore, they require additional steps and procedures before being served to them, but soybeans are completely digestible to ruminant animals.

Ruminant animals are animals that have multiple stomachs to aid in proper digestion which consists of swallowing food, regurgitating, chewing and swallowing food again. This process is called ruminating.
Ruminant animals include:

• Cattle
• Goats
• Sheep
• Giraffes
• Bison
• Moose
• Elk
• Yaks
• Water buffalo
• Deer
• Camels
• Alpacas
• Llamas
• Wildebeest
• Antelope
• Pronghorn
• Nilgai

Since these ruminant animal digestive systems include enzymes necessary to break down phytic acid, and additional steps are not required before consumption, soybeans are the ideal feed ingredient for ruminant animals.

Soy hulls are a byproduct of soybeans that have been processed for soybean oil and soybean meal. When soybeans are processed for soybean oil and soybean meal, they are crushed, cracked or rolled to break down the whole bean into smaller pieces. The hulls of the soybean are separated and removed by airstreams or fans and carried away. These soy hulls are collected and toasted to destroy their ability produce ammonia, which neutralizes gastric acid, and crushed or ground to particle size requirements.

Soy hulls are high in fiber, low in protein, highly degradable and extremely palatable. Soy hulls are typically used to increase bulk in fine texture rations. Though soy hulls are a viable source of digestible fiber, they are not a viable source of effective fiber and should only be incorporated in roughly 20% of dry matter rations for animals such as dairy cattle. Soy hull pellets are created once soy hulls are toasted, ground, and mixed with additional ingredients. Soy hulls and soy hull pellets are an excellent source of fiber and are used in dairy rations and other feed products.

For more information on soybeans, soy hulls and soy hull pellets, contact us. Fornazor is also a leading provider of feed ingredients and distillers grains nationally and internationally.