The advantages of US-origin soybeans in terms of quality and sustainability in the feed industry were comprehensively discussed at a seminar organized by USSEC Türkiye in İzmir. Participants had the opportunity to experience the value these products add to the sector through comparative presentations supported by scientific data. The event, which garnered significant interest from the industry, concluded with positive feedback from feed producers and experts.
The role and potential of soybeans in the feed industry were reassessed in light of scientific data. Held on June 19-20, 2025, in İzmir, Turkey, at the Hyatt Regency İstinye Park Hotel, the seminar, which highlighted the advantages of US-origin soy products, was hosted by USSEC (U.S. Soybean Export Council) Türkiye. Titled “US Soybeans: The Preferred Source for Feed Producers to Achieve Profitable and Sustainable Production Goals,” the event brought together a wide range of industry representatives, from feed producers to poultry integrators, crushing facilities, and raw material importers. Feed Planet, feed industry specialty magazine, also covered this significant event on-site.
Over the course of the two-day seminar, the aim was to discuss the role American soybeans can play in achieving efficiency, sustainability, and quality goals in feed production, supported by scientific and technical data. Presentations covered topics such as accurate measurement of protein quality, the economic and environmental benefits of low-protein formulations, the impact of heat treatment techniques, and variations in nutritional value based on origin and harvest year.
Participants were equipped with not only theoretical knowledge but also practical, field-applicable insights. In particular, comprehensive analyses conducted since 2007 highlighted why US-origin soybeans are preferred for their consistent quality and nutritional profile, demonstrated through comparisons across different origins and years.
Sırrı Kayhan
Following the opening speech by USSEC Türkiye representative Sırrı Kayhan, technical experts from USSEC and distinguished academics enriched the event with comprehensive presentations targeting the current needs of the feed industry. Among the presenting experts were Dr. Gonzalo Mateos and Dr. Lourdes Cámara García (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid), Dr. Guillermo Fondevila (Universidad de Zaragoza), Dr. Kees Geerse (USSEC), Dr. Carlos Dapoza (Evonik), and Kemal Burak Kayhan (Feedback Yazılım).
US-ORIGIN SOYBEANS STAND OUT IN THE EUROPEAN MARKET WITH THEIR QUALITY
In his presentation, Dr. Gonzalo G. Mateos, who conducts research at Spain’s prestigious Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, discussed extensive analyses of the chemical composition and feed value of soybeans. The experienced academic, comparing the protein, amino acid, and carbohydrate contents of soybeans arriving at European ports, addressed quality parameters varying by origin. Dr. Mateos emphasized that US-origin soybeans, compared to Brazilian products, are less damaged, more uniform, and possess higher nutritional value.
Dr. Gonzalo G. Mateos
In his presentation, supported by years of data, Dr. Mateos noted that the quality of raw soybeans is directly linked not only to the extraction process but also to the climate conditions of the production region and logistics processes. The key message of the presentation was that US soybeans offer a more advantageous source for the feed industry due to their higher sucrose and stachyose content, resulting in higher energy (with the energy value difference in meal produced from American soybeans exceeding 100 kcal), better amino acid profile, and lower fiber content.
SOYBEAN MEAL QUALITY HINGES ON ORIGIN AND HARVEST YEAR
Dr. Lourdes Cámara García from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid presented compelling results on the quality analysis of soybeans from different origins arriving in Europe and the meal derived from them. According to analyses conducted from 2007 to 2024, the two most decisive factors in the nutritional value of soybean meal were the country of origin and the harvest year.
Dr. Lourdes Cámara García
Based on the information provided in the presentation, Brazilian-origin soybean meal contains higher crude protein, crude fiber, NDF, and raffinose, while Argentine and US meals stand out with higher lysine and total sulfur amino acid (TSAA) profiles. Additionally, year-to-year climate variability played a significant role in parameters such as sugar content. “The variation in sucrose, stachyose, and raffinose values across years exceeds 35%,” Dr. García stated, noting that working with fixed matrices could be misleading.
Dr. García emphasized that the protein quality of raw soybeans depends not only on geography but also on climatic conditions during harvest. Heat treatment quality can be assessed through tests like KOH solubility and PDI. KOH solubility is recommended for quality control in heat-treated full-fat soybeans, while PDI values, which can change over time, are not sufficient on their own. Trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA) is considered the most reliable indicator, though its analysis process can be challenging and not always feasible.
ADVANCED PARAMETERS NEEDED FOR ACCURATE NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF SOYBEAN MEAL
Dr. Guillermo Fondevila from Universidad de Zaragoza, in his two presentations, emphasized that there are still significant gaps in estimating the nutritional value of commercial soybean meals, particularly in terms of energy and protein quality. “Crude protein alone is not a sufficient indicator,” Fondevila stated, highlighting that parameters such as digestible protein, sucrose, and fat content could enable more accurate predictions in formulations.
Dr. Guillermo Fondevila
In his other presentation at the seminar, Dr. Fondevila demonstrated that the origin of soybean meal creates notable differences in its chemical composition and nutritional value. Data based on over 950 samples from various sources showed that US-origin products particularly stand out in terms of protein quality and energy value.
Fondevila stressed that for an accurate evaluation of soy-based feeds, not only raw data but also advanced indicators such as digestibility and amino acid profiles should be considered. He noted that these differences, through proper formulation, could lead to both reduced costs and improved performance.
ACCURATE DATA, METHODS, AND TECHNOLOGY ESSENTIAL FOR UNDERSTANDING SOY NUTRITIONAL VALUE
Dr. Carlos Dapoza, representing Evonik in his presentations, highlighted the importance of soy products as both a protein and energy source in the feed industry. He emphasized that accurately understanding the nutritional value of soy-based feeds relies particularly on standardized ileal digestible amino acids (SID AA). Pointing to the impact of heat treatment quality on amino acid digestibility, Dapoza noted the need for more detailed information on carbohydrate and lipid composition.
Dr. Carlos Dapoza
In his second presentation at the event, Dr. Dapoza stated that near-infrared (NIR) technology is a highly effective tool for estimating soy composition. However, he stressed that achieving reliable results with this technology requires high-quality calibration, interdepartmental coordination, and robust data processing protocols. The experienced expert explained that effective use of NIR data could reduce safety margins in feed, leading to both economic and environmental benefits.
OLD METHODS IN FEED FORMULATION SHOULD GIVE WAY TO PRECISION NUTRITION
“Energy calculations from the 1860s are inadequate for precision nutrition,” said Dutch monogastric nutrition expert and USSEC consultant Kees Geerse in his presentation at the İzmir event, arguing that the energy calculation systems forming the basis of modern feed formulations are now outdated. Highlighting both human nature’s and the industry’s resistance to change, Geerse noted that current energy values still rely on the 1860s Weende method, which conflicts with the goal of “precision nutrition.” He stated that the sum of amino acids is more meaningful than crude protein from both nutritional and economic perspectives, adding that separating the carbohydrate fraction into sugars, starch, and NSP (non-starch polysaccharides) could improve energy calculations. “New systems can evolve not through direct substitution but by expanding content matrices,” Geerse said, noting that the “Armidale method” developed in Australia offers promise for more accurate chemical feed analyses.
Kees Geerse
In his second presentation, Dr. Geerse emphasized that reducing crude protein levels in broiler diets offers multifaceted benefits but requires certain technical conditions to be met for success. According to Geerse, lowering protein levels with the correct use of synthetic essential amino acids reduces feed costs and water consumption while providing welfare benefits such as improved gut health, increased litter dryness, and reduced footpad lesions. Environmental contributions include reduced nitrogen and ammonia emissions, decreased reliance on imported protein, and limited CO₂ equivalent emissions. However, Geerse stressed that this approach is only feasible with sophisticated formulation techniques, systematic analytical practices, and high-quality soybean meal supply. “It’s possible to reduce crude protein below 20%, or even to 19% under suitable conditions, without compromising technical performance,” Geerse said, adding that unlimited flexibility in this area is still lacking and further research is needed.
RAW MATERIAL VALUE DRIVEN BY LONG-TERM QUALITY CONTROL DATA
Kemal Burak Kayhan
In his presentation using the Belgium-based Bestmix quality control software, Kemal Burak Kayhan discussed the importance of recording raw materials in a laboratory setting, defining supplier, origin, and acceptable limits, and integrating systems to evaluate wet chemistry results alongside NIR devices. He emphasized the significance of processing these results through such software to assess both origin and supplier performance. The presentation highlighted that such evaluations not only reveal the true value of raw materials but also increase the accuracy of field results and, most importantly, significantly impact profitability. Additionally, the importance of integrating systems to eliminate manual data entry for a company’s results was underscored. Kemal Kayhan noted that Bestmix software, which directly integrates quality control results with feed formulation outcomes, is the only program that meets the feed industry’s needs.
For more information, please visit: https://www.ussec.org.tr/