Schillinger Genetics has developed soybean lines dramatically higher in available energy and multiple amino acids, commonly referred to as High Protein Ultra Low Oligosaccharide (HPULO) soybeans. From 2009 to 2013, the United Soybean Board (USB) supported a series of successful small scale feeding trials with soybean meal (SBM) from early generation HPULO soybeans. In 2016 as the HPULO soybeans began nearing commercial viability, USB partnered with Perdue Farms in a commercial-scale evaluation.

A Perdue AgriBusiness’ soybean processing facility processed about 50,000 bushels of HPULO soybeans and an equivalent amount of commercially-available commodity soybeans. The team evaluated samples of the test and control soybeans and SBMs for protein, oil, amino acids and soluble sugars using wet-chemistry. Then Perdue Farms Vice-President of Technical Services and Nutrition, Dr. Randy Mitchell, used the wet chemistry results to formulate diets with both commodity SBM and HPULO SBM to maximize chickens productive performance with a goal of achieving similar performance between feeding programs.

The trial, which involved over 600,000 broiler chickens, featured 12 side-by-side full production-cycle tests with each replicate having two houses on the same farm with similar equipment. Dr. Mitchell’s hypothesis was that the HPULO SBM would reduce feed ingredient costs per ton.

Test diets evaluated were:  Conventional Soybean Meal (CSM) and Schillinger High Protein Ultra-Low Oligosaccharide Soybean Meal (HPULO). Diets were formulated to contain the same nutrient levels for all critical nutrients. The feeding program was a 4-phase program. In the test diets, the HPULO replaced 100% of the CSM. The matrix for the HPULO was determined after detailed analysis of the meal was conducted. The HPULO protein was formulated at 52% protein and metabolizable energy (ME) was formulated at 70 kcals/lb. above the standard soybean meal, based on a similar fiber, moisture and oil content. ME was further adjusted based on differences in oil, moisture and fiber. Amino acid analysis of the HPULO beans indicated a similar ratio to crude protein as conventional beans; therefore, amino acids were predicted based on the crude protein using the same equations. The HPULO had 5.37 points higher protein, 0.59 points lower fat, 0.3 lower moisture and 0.23 points higher fiber than the CSM.  All soft stock ingredients (i.e. DDGS, canola meal) and feed additives, except as identified below, remained the same in both sets of formulas. The amount of corn, vegetable oil, synthetic amino acids (lysine, methionine, threonine) and minerals (defluorinated phosphate, limestone, salt) were allowed to fluctuate to solve the least cost formula.

Results indicated livability was similar between the CSM and HPULO groups (95.8 v 95.9%).  Final body weight was higher in the HPULO houses (6.64 v. 6.53 lbs.; P = 0.07). Gross feed conversion was similar in the trial and control at 1.82; but when adjusted to a 6-lb. body weight the HPULO group has a small numerical advantage of less than 1 point of feed conversion (P =0.463).

In summary, birds fed HPULO diets had a small improvement in weight gain but no statistically significant difference in feed conversion, livability or condemnations. No difference between soybean meal sources was noted in litter quality and foot pad health.

Results proved the hypothesis correct. Then Dr. Mitchell conducted an economic analysis, based on market prices at the time, which indicated the HPULO SBM delivered an additional $44.40/ton in gross economic applied value. Dr.  Mitchell presented these findings to USB’s Animal Nutrition Working Group on October 11, 2017. Dr. Mitchell also presented these findings to the USB Board at its February 21, 2018 meeting. See below for May 2018 staff estimate of additional value.

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