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Soy crush expansion means more livestock feed

A farmer director on the United Soybean Board says soybean crush expansion in the Midwest will provide a more affordable feed option for livestock and aquaculture.

Shannon Ellis from Virginia tells Brownfield the soy checkoff is making investments to ensure soybeans have the best amino acid profile to encourage healthy livestock growth.

“We have research showing growing pigs have a higher rate of gain as well as growth, in general, due to soybean meal.”

Ellis says more soybean meal available means the domestic and international soybean meal market for aquaculture could grow.

“We’re excited about those opportunities.”

The American Soybean Association says the United States currently has 60 crush plants with total crush capacity of 2.2 million bushels per year. And as of January, ASA says there have been announcements for 23 soy crush expansions, which would add 750 million bushels per year to U.S. crush capacity over several years.

Brownfield interviewed Ellis during NAFB’s Washington Watch.