Effects of Feeding Raw Soybeans or Roasted Soybeans to Feedlot Steers

Summary with Implications A feedlot study compared feeding raw or roasted soybeans, soybean meal, or distillers grains to a dry-rolled corn with urea control on finishing cattle performance and carcass traits. Cattle fed roasted soybeans had improved marbling and gained more weight over the feeding period than cattle fed whole soybeans. Feed conversion was improved in the steers fed the roasted and whole soybean containing diets over steers that consumed the distillers grains diet. Cattle fed soybean meal and distillers grains had similar performance and carcass characteristics in this experiment. Cattle fed soybeans, soybean meal, or distillers had better gains and conversions than those fed the urea control diet. These data suggest that soybeans may be fed to finishing cattle to supplement fat and protein and may be an option to displace corn or distillers grains in finishing diets when soybeans are readily available or economical.