What is Soybean Meal?
The protein content of soybean meal can vary greatly depending on the variety and method of oil extraction. Typically, higher protein meals are produced from hulled seeds, while lower protein meals are produced from hulled seeds, which have more fiber and less metabolizable energy.
There are differences in the types of soybeans used, which may be due to the fact that the protein and fat contents of the seed are formed early in growth, with protein being formed almost until the end of the maturity stage of the seed, so growing and harvesting conditions have a greater effect on the protein content of the seed.
When soybeans are pressed for oil, some of their seeds remain as pulp. These solid seeds are called soybean meal. Soybean meal is a bit coarse.
Usually, the meal used for poultry feed is crushed so that the poultry can easily eat it. According to research, the more this meal is crushed, the better digestibility it has for chickens. Therefore, it will have a better effect on the growth process of chickens.
This highly nutritious product is used in cold seasons to feed lactating cows and is also a complete source of food for fish and pets. The most important meals available are grape seed, soybean, castor, sesame, olive, cottonseed, safflower and sunflower.
What are the Uses of Soybean Meal?
The main use of this meal is in animal feed, and for the convenience of animals, the meals are divided into smaller pieces. Care must be taken in choosing meals for animals, because some meals, such as castor oil meal, should not be used as food and their use is as fertilizer. Also, eating castor oil can be toxic and very dangerous. In the past, no one knew about meals and their unique effects in the field of agriculture, but with the passage of time and the advancement of science, this unique product has gained its main and essential place in the field of agricultural products, and one of these special products is soybean meal.
It can be clearly said that if there is a disruption in the production of soybean meal in a short time, the meat and protein market will also face problems. Currently, in our country, Iran, about 2.5 million tons of soybean meal are used for feeding livestock and poultry, and about 55% of all oilseeds are produced from soybeans.
Accordingly, it can be said that this meal is used in the first level for animal nutrition with 69%, followed by rapeseed meal with 13%, cottonseed meal with 6%, and sunflower meal with 5%. This meal is of great importance and value in terms of economy, health, and even the ingredients contained in it.
Method for Preparing Soybean Meal:
This material must be heated and then consumed as animal feed, because if it is not heated and consumed raw, it will cause the animal to grow slowly and a lot of time will be wasted in raising the animal. The important point about this mixture is that this meal contains a toxin that prevents the digestion of protein in the animal’s body, which is why the meals must be heated, so that this toxin is inactive and the effect of this toxin is neutralized.
The meal obtained from whole, dehulled soybeans should contain between 44% and 48% crude protein, and whole grain meal should not contain more than 7% crude fiber and 12% moisture, and the same applies to dehulled soybeans with a slight difference (3.5% crude fiber and 12% moisture). Soybean meals should be converted into two forms: whole or flaked. Also, the production of soybean meals is economically and healthily justified and beneficial.
Soybean Meal Production Methods:
This compound is produced in two ways:
1- Using hexane gas, which is the most common method of producing this product.
2- Using mechanical devices and pressing soybeans.
Currently, in advanced and modern factories, soybean meal is produced with 35% and 18% fat by the solvent method, and during this operation (first, soybeans are crushed and turned into powder or flakes under pressure), its oil is obtained with a hexane or ethanol solvent. When all the soybean oil is separated, this product is rich in protein, vitamins and carbohydrates. In the final stage, the separated soybean skins are added and mixed again until its protein level reaches the usual level (44%) and finally the resulting meal is heated to eliminate its toxins.
Soybean Meal:
Nutrients: When soybeans are oiled, the remaining product is used for livestock and poultry consumption, which is called meal. This product contains 40-49% protein. It also contains 3-7% fiber and about 10% moisture.
Properties: This meal has many benefits such as vegetable protein and linoleic acid for animal nutrition. Today, with the advancement of science and awareness, humans have become aware of the unique properties of soybeans. This plant has become the best alternative to meat consumption, and many people, including vegetarians, can obtain the vitamins found in meat from this plant. The many properties of this plant have led to the production of meal from this plant after oil extraction and its use for animal nutrition as well as medicinal purposes.
Other important properties of this plant include: The presence of various mineral salts, including essential and non-essential mineral salts. This mixture contains approximately 44% protein. Various vitamins such as vitamin A and E and minerals such as iron, magnesium and calcium are also present in this meal. In livestock and poultry farming, meal is used for faster growth of livestock or chickens.
Types of Soybean Meal
Meals are produced and marketed in three forms:
1 – Flaked powder
2 – Pellets or plates
3 – Tubes or cartridges
Of the three types mentioned, powder and pellets are the most suitable types for poultry consumption.
Structurally, soybean meal is divided into three types: high-fat, fat-free and shell-free, and fat-free with shell. Fat-free meal, which is the shell-free type, is suitable for use in poultry feed. This meal, with shell-free grains, has a higher protein and fiber content than other types.
In terms of production location, soybean meal is also divided into 4 types. These 4 types of meal include Iranian, Argentine, Brazilian, and Indian. Iranian meals are usually produced in the cities of Kermanshah, Behshahr, and Semnan. The advantage of Iranian meals over other types is that it is more affordable and easier to access.
If you would like to request the export of this product from Brazil, you can contact our colleagues at Atra Atlas Trading Company.
Soybean Meal Dosage:
There is no maximum use of this compound in livestock diets, and it can be used in any amount to provide the required protein. A typical feeding rate would be around 0.5–2 kg per meal.
Soybean Meal Storage Method:
Like all feed materials, this mixture should be stored dry, in large buckets, or inside cement buildings or silos (away from pests and protected from weather and air).
Benefits of Using Soybean Meal for Poultry
Using soybean meal in poultry feed improves the growth of poultry, especially their muscle growth. Also, if this type of meal is used for poultry, more and better quality eggs can be expected from them. The reason for these benefits of soybean meal can be attributed to its high protein and the presence of essential amino acids in it. Usually, this poultry that include soybean meal in their diet have better weight.
This food is also a very rich and useful food for one-day-old chicks. Soybean meal, due to the fiber in it, causes intestinal motility and is digestible for chicks. This allows the meal to help chicks grow. Also, the presence of amino acids in soybean meal strengthens the immune system of poultry and reduces their susceptibility to various diseases. The high amount of calcium in the meal will cause better growth of poultry. One of the most important substances needed by the body of laying hens (pulls) is calcium. For this reason, soybean meal, due to its high calcium, is useful for maintaining the health of the bones of laying hens. Consuming this type of meal will increase the amount of isoflavones in eggs. Isoflavones play an important role in increasing human physical health.
Other benefits of soybean meal include its richness in vitamins and minerals. This food usually contains calories, carbohydrates, fiber, fat, protein, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, vitamins E, B1, B2 and B6. Considering the above, it can be considered very suitable for poultry health.
Soybean meal is also cheaper and more affordable than other foods. It is worth noting that in addition to its many benefits, this nutrient, if used in a non-standard and excessive manner, may cause problems for poultry. For this reason, it is recommended that if this substance is included in the poultry diet, the opinions of experts in this field be used on how to consume soybean meal.
Disadvantages of Excessive Consumption of Soybean Meal:
Soybean meal has many benefits for poultry. However, it is important to note that its excessive use is not only not beneficial but can also cause problems for poultry. How to consume soybean meal and observing the standard amount of its use is very important. Usually, using soybean meal alone as poultry food is not the right thing to do. It is necessary to combine the meal with other foods to provide the necessary benefits to the poultry and prevent complications from its excessive consumption.
For example, one of the points regarding the use of meal for poultry is related to broiler chickens. For broiler chickens, a maximum of 35 percent of the food can be allocated to meal and the rest of the diet can be provided by ready-made poultry feed. Excessive use of meal can cause weight gain due to excessive fat in poultry. Also, excessive and non-standard consumption of this food can cause damage to the intestinal lining. Although protein for laying hens ensures stable egg production, its excessive consumption will cause inflammation in the intestine. Excessive use of protein can cause numerous problems and even lead to the death of chickens. Allergies are among the side effects of excessive consumption of soybean meal in animals.
If an allergic reaction occurs to this type of meal, poultry will suffer from digestive and respiratory problems. Among the digestive problems caused by the non-standard consumption of this meal is diarrhea in poultry. Preventing the absorption of nutrients from other foods in the animal’s body is another problem of excessive consumption of this food.
If soybean meal is not used properly, it can cause endocrine disruption and cause serious problems for poultry, especially in the thyroid area. The thyroid gland of poultry, like humans, is located in their neck. Soy is a rich source of estrogen, and excessive use of soybean meal for poultry can cause hormonal changes by increasing estrogen levels in their bodies. It is worth noting that many of the disadvantages of this type of meal occur if it is used raw. In order to improve nutritional conditions, it is better to heat soybean meal before use.
Some of the substances in meal that ferment in the digestive tract of poultry after being eaten are reduced by heat. Therefore, heating meal eliminates its negative effects on the poultry body and prevents many of its harmful effects.
Conclusion:
Soybean meal is currently used worldwide as the first popular poultry feed supplement for livestock and poultry. This meal has various types. The most economical type is Iranian. For poultry, it is better to use the powdered or flaked type, fat-free and shell-free meal. With 44% protein, this food is a rich source of protein and other nutrients, including minerals and various B vitamins and iron.
The use of this meal can contribute to increasing poultry growth, improving egg quality, and increasing poultry health by improving their immune system. The amount of soybean meal used depends on factors such as the age and egg-laying status of the poultry. Failure to comply with the standards related to the poultry’s condition may lead to imbalance in growth or egg-laying of the poultry. For this reason, this type of meal should be used in poultry diets in consultation with experts in this field.
But in general, two or three times a week, 10 percent of the poultry feed can be allocated to soybean meal. Excessive use of this food supplement can cause digestive problems such as diarrhea, some allergies or hormonal problems in poultry. It is worth noting that in some areas, a plan to replace soybean meal with other protein sources is being considered. However, replacing a suitable food that can provide all the benefits of this meal for poultry is a difficult task. This plan may take many years to complete. Currently, there is no alternative to soybean meal.
Nutritional value Analysis of Soybean Meal:
