Thus with its fat content, soybeans are a more dense source of energy. The potential for soybeans to protect fat and protein from rumen exposure enhances the value of soybeans over a simple energy-protein diet. Protection of fat would enable greater than 6 percent fat to be achieved in the diet without negative effects on digestion in the rumen. High-quality protected protein, such as the whole bean might supply, is lower priced than the cost of bypass proteins such as bloodmeal and fishmeal. The protected protein would also enhance performance.
More stability exists in the price of whole soybeans than in protein supplements.
Plus, feeding soybeans will not drive up the price of corn and other proteins unless those grains are already high. Bottom line, feeding whole soybeans to cattle is good for Missouri. Both soybeans and cattle are plentiful in this state. Cattle are the state's number one commodity, while soybeans follow a close second. Missouri ranks fourth in the nation in harvested acres of soybeans.